The invention relates generally to self-care boxes and more particularly to methods of using the contents of a therapeutic self-care box for providing the user with a therapeutic experience such as self-expression, relaxation, and/or self-discovery.
Today, many people experience an unhealthy amount of stress due to health conditions, natural disasters, financial instability, and so on. Additionally, many people who experience an unhealthy amount of stress may not have the necessary coping mechanisms to deal with stress, thus they are unable to relax and reduce stress. An excess of stress can lead to health problems, as is known of ordinary skill in the art, which can lead to more stress. Some individuals may also want to have a therapeutic experience or an experience of self-expression or relaxation regardless of stress level.
Thus, there is a need to provide stressed individuals or any other individuals with a therapeutic method, which they can use to relax and reduce stress, and promote therapeutic experiences.
The aspects or the problems and the associated solutions presented in this section could be or could have been pursued; they are not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it should not be assumed that any of the approaches presented in this section qualify as prior art merely by virtue of their presence in this section of the application.
This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description.
In some embodiments, the invention provides a self-care box for providing users with a self-discovery, relaxation, or self-expression experience, wherein the self-care box comprises: a container for holding components used to provide the self-discovery, relaxation or self-expression experience, a canvas, a set of paints of different colors, a palette, an easel, one or more paint brushes, a journal, one or more essential oils; and a mantra sheet. The self-care box can, in some embodiments, also include a candle. The self-care box can also include written directions for using the contents of the self-care box for self-expression, relaxation, or self-discovery. The self-care box can also contain an audio recording of soothing music, a voice-guided meditation program, or both music and a voice-guided meditation program. Alternatively, the written instructions may provide the user with a url to a web site at which the user may access a voice-guided mediation program, soothing music, or both. The self-care box can also include tea, which may be contained in one or more tea bags or boxes. In some embodiments, the contents of the self-care boxes of the invention are labeled to indicate a suggested symbolism of the component. The label may be attached directly to the component, or the component may be enclosed in a box or wrapper to which the label is affixed. The self-care box can also contain, in some embodiments, a gratitude journal.
In an aspect, a self-care box can include therapeutic contents that may provide a user with a relaxing or therapeutic experience. The therapeutic contents of the self-care box may be a journal, canvas, paints, easel, paint tray, paintbrushes, essential oil, candle, and teas, for example.
The invention also provides methods of using a self-care box for purposes such as self-expression, relaxation, or self-discovery, wherein the self-care box comprises: a container for holding components used to provide the self-discovery, relaxation or self-expression experience, a canvas, a set of paints of different colors, a palette an easel, one or more paint brushes, a journal, one or more essential oils, and a mantra sheet. The method for self-expression, relaxation, or self-discovery, includes the steps of: unpacking the contents of the self-care box, lighting a candle; placing a few drops of essential oil on the user's hands, cupping the user's hands around their mouth and nose and breathing deeply, writing the user's thoughts and feelings in the journal, setting the canvas on the easel, and the paints on the palette, and preparing to paint, reading the mantra aloud, visualizing each line; listening to soothing music, a voice-guided meditation program, or a combination of both, using the paints, paint brush, and palette to paint whatever comes into the user's mind on the canvas, writing the user's thoughts and feelings in the journal a second time. The method can also include writing things for which the user is grateful on any suitable medium, for example, in a gratitude journal.
The invention also provides, in some embodiments, a “multi-user” or “family pack” self-care box that includes materials for more than one user to experience the self-discovery, relaxation and/or self-discovery methods for which the self-care box may be used. For example, the multi-user self-care box can include a plurality of easels, canvasses, palettes, and the like.
In an aspect, a user may remove the therapeutic contents in the following order: (1) the journal, (2) the canvas, (3) the paints, (4) the easel, (5) the paint tray, (6) the paintbrushes, (7) the essential oil, (8) the candle, (9) teas.
In another aspect, a user may be provided with the following suggested order and method of use of the contents of a self-care box: journal, canvas, mantra, easel, paintbrushes, candle, teas, oils, paints, and palette.
In another aspect, the contents of the self-care box may provide users with a method for relaxation and therapeutic experience via journaling and painting, for example.
Thus, an advantage may be that the self-care box may help a user to achieve a relaxed state. Another advantage may be that the instructions for unpacking and using the self-care box may be a guide for a user to maximize the therapeutic benefits of the contents of the self-care box. Another advantage may be that the contents of the self-care box may help a user on a journey of self-discovery and self-expression.
The above aspects or examples and advantages, as well as other aspects or examples and advantages, will become apparent from the ensuing description and accompanying drawings.
For exemplification purposes, and not for limitation purposes, aspects, embodiments or examples of the invention are illustrated in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which:
What follows is a description of various aspects, embodiments and/or examples in which the invention may be practiced. Reference will be made to the attached drawings, and the information included in the drawings is part of this detailed description. The aspects, embodiments and/or examples described herein are presented for exemplification purposes, and not for limitation purposes. It should be understood that structural and/or logical modifications could be made by someone of ordinary skills in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.
It should be understood that, for clarity of the drawings and of the specification, some or all details about some structural components or steps that are known in the art are not shown or described if they are not necessary for the invention to be understood by one of ordinary skills in the art,
It should be noted that, while the paint tray (shown by 850 in
Next, as an eighth step in a method of using a self-care box 800, a user may remove the paint brushes 860 from the box 800. The paintbrushes 860 may serve as a way for a user to connect and channel their emotions to the canvas (shown by 520 in
FIC. 11 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary final setup 1105 of the contents of a self-care box when using a method of using the self-care box shown and described when referring to
The following is an exemplary process disclosing how a user may utilize the contents of the self-care box.
First, a user may open the journal 1110 and prepare to write down whatever comes to their mind. Next, a user may unwrap their canvas 1120 and place the canvas 1120 on the easel 1140. Now, a user can light the provided candle. Then, a user may place a mantra sheet in front of the canvas 1120 on the easel 1140. A user may then read the mantra sheet quietly, such that they can visualize and internalize each line of the mantra sheet. Next, a user can take the essential oil blend and place a few drops on their hands, such that the user can cup their hands around their mouth and nose and breathe deeply, so as to fully experience the aromatherapy benefits provided by the essential oil. Next, a user can listen to soothing audio, which may be provided in addition to the contents of the self-care box, for example, or provided by a web site that the user may access through use of a provided url. As an example, the provided audio may be soothing music or a guided meditation, which may last for a duration of seven minutes, for example. As the provided audio plays and further assists a user to achieve a relaxing mindset, a user can begin journaling and writing down whatever comes to mind.
After a user feels they have completed journaling, the user can then use the provided canvas, paint, paintbrushes, and paint tray to begin painting and engage in self-expression. Audio may be provided to enhance the user's therapeutic experience, which may last fir a duration of sixty minutes, for example. Again, the audio, which may include music, guided meditation, or both, may be provided through access to a web site using a url that is provided in the therapeutic box to the user.
Once a user is done painting, the use can once again begin journaling. Journaling before and after painting allows a user to compare their emotional and physical state as well as their personal insights before and after the therapeutic painting process. Journaling may continue after the initial painting session, and the user may continue journaling as desired or suggested by a provider of the self-care box.
It should be understood that the contents of the self-care box may be arranged in a more or less compact manner according to the size and shape of the box provided. It should also be understood that any suitable labels may be used fir labeling the various components of the self-care box such that a user may more easily visualize and understood the suggested order of unpacking and use of the contents. The labels may also indicate the suggested symbolism of each component of the self-care box. It should also be understood that other suggested methods of use, suggested orders of use and unpacking, or any other suitable directions or instructions may also be provided with the contents of the self-care box, such that a relaxing or therapeutic experience for the user may be promoted or encouraged.
The invention also provides methods for achieving one or more of enhanced self-expression, self-awareness, self-fulfillment and relaxation. These methods can involve, for example, (a) writing one's thoughts and feelings in a journal, (h) reading one or more affirmations, (c) painting, and (d), after painting, writing one's thoughts and feelings in the journal. The methods can also include lighting a candle prior to step (a). In some embodiments, the methods can also involve, before step (a), placing essential oil on the user's hands, cupping the user's hands around their nose and mouth, and breathing in the scents of the essential oil(s). Both lighting a candle and breathing in the essential oil scent are performed before step (a) in some embodiments.
The methods can also involve listening to a guided meditation program. The guided meditation program can include spoken instructions for performing the methods of the invention. The program can also include phrases that assist the user in embarking on a visual journey, in the mind's eye, using colors to express the deepest part of one's being. The program may also assist the user in developing their own personal rhythm, placing the user in the present moment but in a state of flow, developing a deep connection to the user's self, discovering how magnificent and beautiful the user is. Listening to this portion of the guided program is intended to prepare the user to paint, without any fear, judgement, anxiety, or inhibitions.
In some embodiments, the methods can also include writing down things for which the user is grateful. The user may write the items on any suitable writing medium. One example of a suitable medium is a gratitude journal.
It may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used in this patent document. The term “couple” and its derivatives refer to any direct or indirect communication between two or more elements, whether or not those elements are in physical contact with one another. The term “or” is inclusive, meaning and/or. As used in this application, “and/or” means that the listed items are alternatives, but the alternatives also include any combination of the listed items.
The phrases “associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like.
Further, as used in this application, “plurality” means two or more. A “set” of items may include one or more of such items. The terms “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of,” respectively, are closed or semi-closed transitional phrases.
Throughout this description, the aspects, embodiments or examples shown should be considered as exemplars, rather than limitations on the apparatus or procedures disclosed. Although some of the examples may involve specific combinations of method acts or system elements, it should be understood that those acts and those elements may be combined in other ways to accomplish the same objectives.
Acts, elements and features discussed only in connection with one aspect, embodiment or example are not intended to be excluded from a similar role(s) in other aspects, embodiments or examples.
Aspects, embodiments or examples of the invention may be described as processes, which are usually depicted using a flowchart, a flow diagram, a structure diagram, or a block diagram. Although a flowchart may depict the operations as a sequential process, many of the operations can be performed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations may be re-arranged. With regard to flowcharts, it should be understood that additional and fewer steps may be taken, and the steps as shown may be combined or further refined to achieve the described methods.
Although aspects, embodiments and/or examples have been illustrated and described herein, someone of ordinary skills in the art will easily detect alternate of the same and/or equivalent variations, which may be capable of achieving the same results, and which may be substituted for the aspects, embodiments and/or examples illustrated and described herein, without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of this application is intended to cover such alternate aspects, embodiments and/or examples.
This application is a continuation of prior application Ser. No. 16/875,818, filed May 15, 2020, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/849,782, filed May 17, 2019.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62849782 | May 2019 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 16875818 | May 2020 | US |
Child | 17315124 | US |