Comfort Items to Include in Your Emergency Supply

When people think about emergency preparedness, they usually focus on the basics: food, water, first aid, and shelter. Those are critical—but they’re not the whole picture.

In a real emergency, especially one that lasts days or weeks, comfort items can make the difference between simply surviving and coping well. Stress, fear, boredom, disrupted routines, and lack of sleep all take a toll on mental and emotional health. Comfort items help stabilize emotions, maintain morale, and support decision-making when it matters most.

Here’s a practical guide to comfort items worth including in your emergency kit, and why they matter.

Why Comfort Matters in an Emergency

Emergencies are overwhelming. Familiar routines disappear, communication may be limited, and uncertainty is constant. Comfort items:

• Reduce anxiety and stress
• Help children and adults self-regulate emotionally
• Improve sleep quality
• Create a sense of normalcy
• Support mental resilience during long disruptions

Preparedness isn’t just about physical survival—it’s about maintaining the ability to think clearly, care for one another, and endure.

 

Comfort Items for Emotional Support

1. Familiar Personal Items

Small, familiar objects can provide grounding and reassurance.

Examples:

• Photos of loved ones (printed)
• A small keepsake or religious item
• Letters or notes of encouragement
• A favorite mug or small personal object

These are especially important for children and for adults under prolonged stress.

 

2. Items for Children

Children experience emergencies differently and often need extra reassurance.

Good options include:

• A favorite stuffed animal or blanket
• Small toys, dolls, or action figures
• Coloring books and crayons
• Simple card or travel games

Familiar items help children feel safe when everything else feels uncertain.

 

Comfort Items for Rest and Sleep

3. Sleep Supports

Lack of sleep makes every emergency harder to manage.

Consider adding:

• Eye masks
• Earplugs
• Inflatable or compressible pillows
• Extra socks
• Lightweight blankets or sleeping bag liners

Even small improvements in sleep can greatly improve morale and mental clarity.

 

4. Temperature Comfort

Being too hot or too cold adds unnecessary stress.

Helpful items:

• Warm hats and gloves
• Cooling towels
• Hand warmers
• Layered clothing

Comfortable body temperature helps regulate emotions and conserve energy.

 

Comfort Through Routine and Normalcy

5. Food and Drink Comforts

Food is emotional as well as physical.

In addition to emergency calories, consider:

• Comfort foods (instant soup, cocoa, hard candy)
• Tea or coffee
• Shelf-stable treats
• Electrolyte drink mixes

Familiar flavors can provide emotional relief and a sense of normalcy during stressful times.

6. Hygiene and Personal Care Items

Feeling clean goes a long way toward feeling human.

Include:

• Wet wipes
• Dry shampoo
• Lip balm
• Lotion
• Toothbrushes and toothpaste
• Feminine hygiene products

Good hygiene improves morale, reduces discomfort, and helps prevent illness.

 

Comfort for Mental Health and Stress Relief

7. Entertainment and Distraction

Idle time increases anxiety. Simple distractions help pass time and reduce stress.

Ideas:

• Books or magazines
• Crossword or puzzle books
• Playing cards or dice
• Downloaded movies, music, or audiobooks
• Journals and pens

Entertainment is not frivolous—it’s a tool for emotional regulation.

 

8. Spiritual or Mindfulness Items

For many people, faith and reflection provide deep comfort.

Consider:

• Scriptures or devotional books
• Prayer cards
• Meditation guides
• Gratitude or reflection journals

These items can help restore peace and perspective in difficult moments.

 

Comfort Items for Long-Term Emergencies

9. Small Luxuries

A few carefully chosen “luxuries” can dramatically improve morale.

Examples:

• Scented soap or essential oil
• A favorite snack
• Cozy socks
• A familiar candle (used safely)

Small pleasures can provide a mental reset when stress builds.

 

10. Connection and Communication

Isolation makes emergencies harder.

Helpful items:

• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
• Extra charging cables
• Printed contact lists
• Paper and envelopes for notes or letters

Staying informed and connected reduces fear and uncertainty.

 

How to Add Comfort Items Without Taking Up Too Much Space

You don’t need to add everything at once.

Tips:

• Start with one comfort item per person
• Choose multi-purpose items
• Rotate items seasonally
• Store comfort items inside clothing or sleep gear
• Use small containers or zip bags

Preparedness should feel manageable, not overwhelming.

 

Final Thoughts

Comfort items are not optional extras—they’re an essential part of a well-rounded emergency plan. When stress is high and resources are limited, emotional resilience becomes just as important as physical supplies.

A prepared home is one where people feel supported, calm, and capable—even in hard situations.

If you’re building or updating your emergency kit, take a few minutes to ask:

“What would help my family feel calmer and more grounded if everything else felt uncertain?”

That answer belongs in your kit.

No fuss. No fluff. No fear. 

Other Articles of Interest

Emergency Kits: What you need to know

Sleeping bag vs. Blanket: Which is best for your emergency kit?

How to Prep on a Tight Budget: Tips for Beginners

Emergency water storage mistakes to avoid

How to Integrate Long-term Food Storage into your Everyday Diet

Fit to Survive: How Physical Fitness Increases your Disaster Resilience