There’s no hiding that stress and anxiety are taking over our lives, and it’s also no secret that stress and anxiety increases over the holiday seasons. I think that as a society, we have definitely come a long way in respecting and caring for mental health. We have recognized the signs and severity of stress, anxiety and depression, and have created a multitude of products and resources to help those struggling with these illnesses.
With all this being said, I can personally say that I’ve struggled with stress and anxiety. And, if we are ALL being honest, who hasn’t?! Everyone goes through stressful situations that may lead to anxiety. Teaching middle school is not all sunshine and rainbows (and whoever says it is is a liar), and I’ve had my fair share of difficult students and parents to deal with. I’ve suffered injuries in my classroom from fights breaking out, which cost me weeks of work. I often feel the weight of the world on my shoulders with all that is required of us teachers; from understanding, knowing and following all students learning plans, to providing rigorous lessons for those brighter students, and accommodations for those other students who are not quite there yet, it is a lot of work.
I know that teachers are not the only ones who feel stress at their jobs. I have friends and family who work in everything from business, finance, medicine, nursing, and every one of those people have expressed feeling stressed and anxious relating directly to some aspect of their profession. To add to it, as if our careers weren’t stressful enough, there are a million other things under the sun that could add to the weight of the world.
So, rather than getting a gift that may be nice, but not necessary, I think it would be super thoughtful to give something that can help friends and family with stress and anxiety. I know that I would personally love some of these items for myself (and may be asking for them on my Christmas list myself!), and hope that these spark ideas for some useful gifts for your loved ones!
Starting with this popular diffuser, it has amazing reviews and is so pretty! I’ve seen these everywhere, and want to try it for myself! One of my good friends has this and loves it. I think that this paired with eucalyptus or lavender essential oils would make a perfect gift for a stressed friend. I’ve also linked some more affordable ones below that also have good reviews!
- This option has over 11,000 reviews and is under $30!
- I love the design of this option, only $30!
This sleeping facial mask smells wonderful and leaves skin soft and refreshed in the morning. It would be a wonderful way to end a long day, and an excuse for your person to take five minutes to themselves at the end of each day. The lavender is a relaxing fragrance that should help them calm and de-stress!
If your stressful friend has problems sleeping (as do many people who are stressed and anxious), a white noise machine might help them in the area of rest! White noise machines are typically used for babies or young children, but can definitely be beneficial for adults, too! This one, sold on both Amazon and Walmart, not only works perfectly, but also is aesthetically pleasing! It has amazing reviews, but is on the pricier side, so I have also linked some more affordable options below!
This anxiety journal is less than $20, and a great tool to keep in your purse or by your bedside! It is full of mindful practices to help de-stress and calm your mind. What I love about this journal is that it is a combination of quotes, passages, and space to reflect on what is causing you anxiety. There are parts of this book that can help any anxious person or stressed friend, and includes practices to include in our everyday lives to help calm our minds.
I am 100% asking for a weighted blanket this year, specifically this one! I have done my research and from what friends and co-workers have told me, this one is the best affordable option. Weighted blankets are proven to ease anxiety and essentially feel like being embraced in a hug, helping anxious people calm down and sleep well.
My future brother-in-law introduced me to this as a gift last Christmas, and I have been hooked ever since. Every night before I go to bed, I use this lotion along with a lavender pillow spray, and I feel in a total state of calm! Luckily I have always loved the scent of lavender, but this lotion is not an overpowering lavender smell whatsoever.
Hopefully some of what I shared can be helpful either for yourself, or for your loved ones who struggle with stress and anxiety. Personally, my heart would be so full if a friend or family member thought to get me one of these items because it is so meaningful! Dealing with anxiety is not an easy battle to fight, and anything that might help is definitely worth the try.