How to Create a Successful Wellness Recovery Action Plan
Living with a mental health condition is challenging enough, but the journey to recovery can be even more difficult. However, with a Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP), you can create a roadmap for your recovery journey. A WRAP is a self-designed prevention and wellness tool that you can use to monitor and manage symptoms, identify triggers, and develop a plan to manage them. In this article, we’ll discuss how to create a successful WRAP that can help you on your journey to recovery.
What is a Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP)?
A WRAP is a personalized, practical, and comprehensive tool that can help you maintain your mental health and manage mental health crises. It is based on the principles of hope, personal responsibility, education, self-advocacy, and support. WRAP is designed to help you:
1. Identify your own resources and strengths
2. Set realistic, measurable goals
3. Identify early warning signs and triggers
4. Create a plan of action to manage symptoms
5. Develop a list of contacts and support people
6. Write a crisis plan to prevent and manage mental health crises
Creating a Successful WRAP
Creating a successful WRAP requires a three-step process: developing a foundation, identifying triggers and early warning signs, and creating a plan of action.
1. Developing a Foundation
The first step in creating a successful WRAP is to lay a strong foundation. The foundation includes creating a list of daily wellness tools and activities that you can use to improve your mental health. These tools can include meditation, exercise, therapy, spending time with loved ones, journaling, and other self-care activities. It is important to choose tools and activities that work for you and that you enjoy.
2. Identifying Triggers and Early Warning Signs
The next step is to identify triggers and early warning signs that might indicate a decline in mental health. Triggers can be environmental (such as stress at work) or emotional (such as a breakup). Early warning signs can include changes in sleep patterns, appetite, energy level, or mood.
It is essential to identify these triggers and early warning signs early on, as doing so can help you prevent a mental health crisis. Once you’ve identified your triggers and early warning signs, make a plan for managing them. This can include reaching out to a support person, taking a break, or engaging in a self-care activity.
3. Creating a Plan of Action
Finally, creating a plan of action is the most critical step in creating a successful WRAP. The plan of action outlines what you will do when you experience triggers or warning signs that indicate a decline in mental health. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, your plan of action may include self-care activities, reaching out to a support person, or seeking professional help.
Remember to keep your plan of action flexible and adaptable. It is essential to revisit and update your WRAP regularly to ensure that it continues to work for you. Share your WRAP with trusted friends, family members, or healthcare providers, and keep a copy accessible in a safe and secure location.
Conclusion
Creating a successful Wellness Recovery Action Plan is a critical component of achieving and maintaining mental health. By identifying your triggers and early warning signs, developing a foundation of daily wellness tools and activities, and creating a plan of action, you can create a personalized roadmap for your recovery journey. Remember, recovery is a journey, not a destination, and WRAP is just one tool that can help you stay on track.
