Gift Giving Ideas For Your Mental Health

To many, the Holidays evoke positive feelings of peace, love, and joy as this time of year brings you together to connect and celebrate with your community and loved ones. However, like most things in life, there is some “bad” that comes with good. The Holidays can have a huge impact on mental and emotional wellbeing. According to an article in Huffpost:

While suicide rates may decrease during the Holidays, a large amount of the general population will deal with increased feelings of stress, anxiousness, or the “Holiday Blues.” Additionally, a 2014 survey from the National Alliance on Mental Illness found that 24% of people with a mental illness reported their conditions worsened “a lot” from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day. Another 40% of survey participants with mental illness reported that the Holidays made their conditions “somewhat” worse.

Whether you struggle with feelings of isolation or setting healthy boundaries, the stress of the Holidays can, frankly, be hard. Moreover, the incessant marketing ploys to push consumerism of goods — toys, clothes, electronics, jewelry, cars — just so that you can buy the “perfect” gift for your special someone(s) can create a lot of pressure, and eventually cause financial strain. These Holiday stressors, though not limited to the examples above, can be tough to navigate, but not impossible.

Below is a list of “gift” ideas that can help combat the mental and emotional stressors of the Holidays, whether you choose to give the gift to yourself or someone else.

‍Classes

Cooking
Building
Speciality - Professional and personal growth can support mental health around success, achievement and growth. ‍
Exercise
Creative Arts - Creativity fuels a healthy mind through play and curiosity.

Food

Fruit Basket - Fruit has essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals that support improved mental wellbeing.‍
Chocolates
Coffee Beans
Meat/Eggs - Studies show that amino acids — found in eggs, fish, beef, pork, poultry, and whole sources of soy — can improve symptoms of depression. ‍
Local Produce Gift Card

Experiences

Concert Tickets - Music support emotional processing which can positively impact grief, depression, anxiety and other mental health concerns.‍
Movie/Show Gift Card
Summer Camp - Socialization and community are important components of a well-balanced mental and emotional life. ‍
Daddy Daughter Date
Sporting Event Tickets

Memberships

Gym - Movement can increase the feel good hormones in the mind and body that impact Depression, Anxiety and other mental health concerns. ‍
Museums
National/state Forest -The term “nature is medicine” summarizes a very important factor that fresh air can truly heal and help. ‍
Theme Park
Zoo

Time

Babysitting
Car Wash
House Cleaning - A clutter free and clean home environment has been shown to improve mental health.‍
Yard Service
Date Night - One on one time is very important to developing a healthy and happy connection with your loved one(s).