For loved ones who chronically deal with high levels of stress and anxiety, summer can feel hectic. It can be hard to know the right way to help and even harder to know what to get them. Lucky for you, we spoke with some of our favorite mental health professionals about the best self-care gifts and what to keep in mind when gifting.
“The ideal gift for a stressed-out person should not be anything that adds another To-Do to their list,” Grace Huntley, licensed mental health therapist, told HuffPost. “Think about something that would ease their load, bring them joy or treat them in a way they wouldn’t for themselves.”
Additionally, Huntley says to consider the type of stress a person is experiencing (family, work, body, etc.) and your goal in gifting. Are you trying to alleviate stress? Create a welcome distraction? Maybe you want to encourage them to rest. This can help you give a more personalized self-care present they’ll actually benefit from.
From eye massagers to essential oil diffusers to offering to help with wrapping, the gifts range from body care to practical help. They’re thoughtful, creative gifts that don’t scream “you’re stressed out and need this,” but rather, lovingly whisper, “you deserve to slow down and be taken care of.”
The experts consulted for this story do not necessarily endorse the products ahead unless otherwise noted.
The original version of this story was published on HuffPost at an earlier date.