Holiday Giving: Mental Health Gift Ideas For Your Loved Ones
The holiday season is upon us, and with the reduced stigma surrounding mental health care, many people want to give gifts that support mental wellness. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in five adults and one in six children experience some form of mental illness each year. Those statistics show someone you love is likely struggling with mental illness this holiday season. What’s more, for many, winter and the holidays cause depression and anxiety symptoms to worsen. Grieving the loss of a loved one can further exacerbate symptoms for many people.
Even if your loved one doesn’t struggle with mental illness, these gifts demonstrate care and concern for their well-being and are thoughtful ways to celebrate the holidays. Our holiday gift guide includes self-care gifts and gifts of time, so no matter what your budget is, there’s something for everyone.
Gifts of Time
If your loved one suffers from anxiety, depression, seasonal affective disorder, or any other mental health concern, they may feel isolated and lonely. Giving a gift of your time and attention may be just the thing to brighten their days and share the holiday spirit. Before stopping over, be sure to call first. You can offer the person a few options and allow them to pick the one that feels most helpful. Time is our most valuable resource, so gifting some of yours is a more thoughtful gift than choosing something from Amazon.
A Movie Night
visiting a friend or relative to simply watch a movie at home can lift their spirits. People struggling with mental illness often find it challenging to engage in conversations or entertain others. If you make it clear that all you want is time and that you’ll provide some entertainment, it can alleviate a lot of the pressure of social interaction while letting them know you care.
Stopping in For Coffee and a Chat
Sometimes, people wrestling with anxiety, depression, or grief want an opportunity to talk without feeling judged. Often, a friend or family member can provide the compassionate listening they need.
Taking Care of Household Tasks
Executive dysfunction often accompanies mental illness and can make it challenging to complete tasks at home, work, or school. If someone you know is struggling, you may offer to cook a meal, do some laundry, or organize something they can’t manage.
Providing Childcare
If the person you’re gifting is a parent, giving childcare will allow them to take care of their relationship with a night out or spend time on much-needed self-care.
Gift Ideas For Purchase
If you’re interested in purchasing a gift for a friend or family member that can help maintain or improve their mental health, you have plenty of options. These gifts hit every price point, so even if you don’t have much to spend, you can give a thoughtful gift that will brighten the holidays.
Weighted Blanket
Weighted blankets can help alleviate bothersome symptoms of anxiety, ADHD, sleep disorders, and Autism that make it difficult to sleep. They lower your heart rate by signaling your parasympathetic nervous system to kick into gear. Weighted blankets can also provide the sensory input to switch your body into quiet mode and help regulate emotions like a hug or swaddled.
Affirmation Cards
Affirmation cards are decks of cards containing positive statements you can use to focus meditation or journaling or that you can repeat throughout the day to keep your emotions regulated so you can stay focused on your goals. People use card decks of positive affirmations by choosing one randomly each day or flipping through the deck to find one that hits just right for a particularly challenging time.
Coloring Books
Coloring books are a perfect stress relief gift because they calm your brain and increase relaxation. People also find it reduces pain symptoms, improves sleep, and lessens anxiety. Consider including markers and colored pencils to help the receiver focus on the repetitive motion and low-stress activity.
Care Package
If you’re feeling particularly generous, putting together a care package of self-care gifts is a terrific idea. You may include a few items from this list along with bath bombs, a gift card for a massage, scented candles, chamomile tea, and, other goodies in a beautiful gift box. A care package is the perfect gift to send to a college student or friend who is far away.
A Sleep-Well Gift Basket
For friends and loved ones who have trouble sleeping due to anxiety, stress, or chronic illness, try a gift basket that helps them get more zzzs. This gift includes a sleep mask, essential oils and diffuser, a satin pillow case, and a sound machine to help the receiver wind down, giving them a better chance at a good night’s sleep.
Guided Journal
A guided journal containing motivational stories followed by writing prompts designed to help people grow, find a positive mindset, and improve their mental well-being is an excellent gift for someone you know well. This gift is best given to your best friend, sister, or partner who’s let you into their personal growth journey and trusted you to honor where they are.
Water Bottle
Those struggling with mental wellness often forget to nourish and hydrate themselves properly. Dehydration can make physical symptoms of anxiety and depression, such as racing heart, fatigue, and headaches, worse. A beautiful water bottle with reminders to drink up can make hydrating easier for many people.
Gifts to Support a Hobby
Hobbies are an antidote to mental illness. They keep our brains busy and focused on the current moment, relieve stress, and keep us connected to our purpose. If your loved one has a hobby such as jewelry making, reading, playing soccer, or gardening purchasing a gift in support of that hobby says, “I see and value who you are.” Often, for people struggling with mental health knowing that someone out there cares enough and pays enough attention to know what’s important to you can help improve well-being.
Get Support For Mental Wellness
You aren’t alone if you or a loved one experiences worsening mental health symptoms during the holiday season. The National Alliance on Mental Illness reports that 64% of people with mental illness experience increased symptoms around the holidays. While compassionate gifts that encourage self-care and connection can help, they aren’t likely to solve mental health issues. A combined approach, including therapy, is most effective for overcoming mental illness.At SMPsychotherapy and Counseling Services, our providers have experience with every facet of mental illness, including anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, and more. If you or a loved one struggles with mental wellness around the holidays, please reach out today and schedule an appointment.
