Holiday Gifts for Stress Relief and Relaxation

No one is immune to stress — especially around the holidays.

Checking everyone off your gift list, managing end-of-year goals and expectations, and fulfilling your social calendar may cause emotional tensions to rise as well, making stress management techniques vital during this time of year.

When left unchecked, stress and anxiety can have major side effects. It can pose long-term cardiovascular, sexual, digestive, and mental health problems.

Now that the holidays are here, we think everyone could benefit from the gift of relaxation.

By reading customer reviews and reviewing studies on techniques for stress relief, we’ve rounded up 25 stress relief gift ideas for the people in your life.

How we chose

Our list of recommended products is based on a mix of personal experience, high ratings of at least 4 or 5 stars, and bestselling items.

ishonest’s picks of the best 25 holiday gifts for stress relief and relaxation

1. Bearaby Tree Napper Blanket

• Price: $$$$
• Pros: This blanket has a range of colors and can promote restful sleep.
• Cons: Some reviewers thought this product was overpriced, and the holes in the knit kept them too cool.
• Best for: hot sleepers

Weighted blankets can be a useful and cozy tool to add to your arsenal of de- stressing products. They’re designed to emulate deep pressure stimulation therapy, which may help relax the nervous system.

While there’s a multitude of blankets on the market, Bearaby weighted blankets are designed to be more stylish. The chunky knit blanket comes in six colors and can be a great couch or bed throw.

Another major perk of the Bearaby Tree Napper is its cooling effects. The blanket is made from eco-friendly eucalyptus fibers and Tencel lyocell fabrics that can wick away moisture — a necessary feature for hot sleepers.

The Tree Napper blanket comes in weights of 15, 20, and 25 pounds. The brand recommends the blanket be roughly 10 percent of a person’s body weight.

2. Neckteck Shiatsu Neck and Back Massager

When stress creeps up on you, you might feel tension in your neck and shoulders. The Neckteck neck and back massager is a luxury that won’t break the bank.

The device is a bestseller on Amazon and has amassed more than 31,000 reviews. The shiatsu massager has eight nodes that are designed to knead deeply into the skin at three different speed options. Bonus: The massager is heated, which can help boost circulation and reduce stiffness.

Whether your loved one has a case of text neck or they just need to decompress, an on-demand massage is a gift that will be put to good use.

3. Nectar Donut Delight Bath Bomb Box

Nectar’s set of doughnut-themed bath bombs are a sweet (pun intended) gift for the bath lover in your life. The pastel color palette and whimsical shape can make the set a playful touch for a bathroom counter.

Nectar’s bath bomb formula includes kaolin clay, Epsom salt, and skin-nourishing almond oil. The colorful bath products are handmade in Las Vegas and use natural, vegan-friendly ingredients.

Hot baths have many health benefits like stress relief, reduced inflammation, and a better night’s sleep. Bath bombs are one way to make a healthy habit even more enticing for your loved one.

4. Nodpod Weighted Sleep Mask

If you’re shopping for someone who loves their weighted blanket, a weighted sleep mask sounds like a natural progression. The unique design of the Nodpod mask helps block out light and provides deep pressure, similar to a weighted blanket, on your eyes. There’s no strap or Velcro, so it won’t be too tight or get stuck in hair.

Many reviewers found that the Nodpod mask helped them calm down at night and get a restful sleep. Some verified buyers also claimed the sleep mask helped alleviate their headaches.

5. Vitruvi Stone Diffuser

Aromatherapy has been a longtime natural treatment for stress. A growing body of research continues to suggest its effectiveness. A small 2017 study found that when using lavender essential oil on study participants receiving a massage, those receiving the oil reported a 12 percent decrease in stress, while those only receiving a massage noticed just a 3.3 percent decrease.

The Vitruvi stone diffuser dilutes essential oils and disperses them into the air, filling the room with the aroma of your choice. It’s designed to be sleek and subtle, making it a great addition to a nightstand or countertop.

6. Book of the Month Membership

Opening a book helps people enter a different world with new perspectives. Reading can help increase empathy, enhance your vocabulary, and even reduce stress. One 2019 study found that recreational reading helped reduce psychological distress in university students during the school year.

Book of the Month takes the guesswork out of picking a specific book to give. The membership, available in plans ranging from 3 to 12 months, ships a new book to the reader’s house each month. Readers can choose from five books that are vetted by the Book of the Month team, including some early releases for the VIP bookworm in your life.

7. Personal Aromatherapy Pendant

These pendants have managed to make aromatherapy a wearable companion, especially for those who like a minimalist style.

These pendants are more than just a fashion statement — they’re also a covert stress relief tool. The pendant is a vessel for wicks featuring mood-boosting aromatherapy oil blends that fit inside each pendant.

8. Calm Club Big Night In Kit

Over the last two years, everyone’s spending a lot more time inside. Give your night in an upgrade with the Calm Club Big Night In kit.

The curated box includes essentials for curling up on the couch, like cozy wool socks, a soy wax candle, and a ceramic mug for your favorite hot beverage. For mindfulness, Calm Club also includes a wooden puzzle to help focus your thoughts. There’s also a sleep mask for when it’s time to turn in for the night.

This care package may be a great gift for loved ones who could use more self- care and less work.

9. DAVIDsTEA Sleep and Relax 12 Tea Sampler

DAVIDsTEA has more than 150 loose-leaf teas to choose from, which can feel overwhelming for shoppers. The sampler features 12 tea leaf blends designed to aid relaxation and sleep. Options include popular chamomile and rooibos, as well as blends like Halo Headache and Lavender Buttercream.

Conscious shoppers may admire the sustainability efforts of DAVIDsTEA. The fair trade certified brand is allied with the Ethical Tea Partnership, an organization with a mission to make the tea industry more sustainable and fairer for tea farmers, their families, and the environment.

10. Apotheke Hinoki Lavender Candle

When in doubt, candles are always a good idea. Tucked away in a Brooklyn factory, Apotheke has been hand-pouring candles and bar soap for a decade. Founder Chrissy Fichtl started concocting scents in her kitchen and selling at local flea markets until a West Elm debut put the brand on the map.

Apotheke candles are a minimalist and versatile choice to incorporate into any home, regardless of decor. The Hinoki Lavender candle comes in a frosted glass. The earthy scent blends notes of Hinoki cypress, lavender, lotus flower, and sandalwood — a soothing fusion that can burn for up to around 70 hours.

11. Calm subscription

Calm is an award-winning app that provides calming techniques, morning stretches, guided meditations, and sleep aids. The app is available for iOS and Android devices as well as desktops, and has a 4.8-star average rating in Apple’s App Store. Among the many tools within the app, users can learn and meditate with the stars.

From meditating with professional basketball player LeBron James to taking a master class in creativity with Elizabeth Gilbert, the membership sprinkles celebrity-led content into the experience. Some sleep stories on the app are narrated by A-listers like Kate Winslet and Harry Styles. Yes, you can give the gift of falling asleep to the sound of Idris Elba’s voice.

12. Bloomscape ZZ Plant

But plants are more than just a pretty thing to sit on the windowsill. Research finds plants are powerful tools to boost positivity and concentration. A 2020 study analyzing the impact of indoor plants in work environments concluded that plants decreased anxiety in employees in a Japanese office.

When buying for a plant newbie, aim for one where a green thumb won’t be a prerequisite. The ZZ plant is a hardy piece of greenery that can survive in low light and requires minimal maintenance.

13. Axel & Ash Press Pause Mindfulness Journal

Taking a small portion of the day to jot down goals, reflect on gratitude, and document memories can create a special memento to look back on in the future.

14. ‘52 Lists for Calm’ by Moorea Seal

The prompts are separated into four sections: Present, Look Back, Move Forward, and Release. Seal’s journal features images and illustrations designed to spark serenity. She also incorporates mindfulness strategies, essays, and quotes meant to help those who are struggling with burnout.

15. Gray Malin Hawaii 2-Sided Puzzle

Fine art photographer Gray Malin has traveled the world capturing beauty from a bird’s eye view. His aerial photos of candy-colored beach umbrellas and crystal blue waters have become his trademark.

Rather than lining the halls of a gallery, Malin’s work has evolved into a lifestyle brand. His photography is emblazoned on phone cases, coaster sets, postcards, and tote bags.

The artist’s two-sided puzzle features Hawaii’s famed Waikiki Beach on one side and a verdant Kauai coastline on the other. It may be the perfect calming tool for a friend who needs to step away from their screen and focus on the moment.

16. Huggable Sloth Cooling + Heating Pad

Heating pads can be used for injuries and pain, but their value doesn’t have to end there. According to the American Psychological Association, muscle tension is “almost a reflex reaction to stress.” Chronic stress can make you feel constantly guarded. When that tension hits the neck and shoulders, it can cause headaches.

Since heat can help loosen muscles, a heating pad can be a handy tool for stress relief. Put a unique spin on the traditional heating pad with this adorable sloth plushie, which can be microwaved or frozen to offer relief.

17. Miss Patisserie Mini Shower Steamer Selection Box

Are shower steamers the new bath bombs? These essential oil-infused shower steamers are one way to bring your hot showers to the next level. Break off a piece of the Miss Patisserie product and place it on the floor of the shower. The scents blend with the hot steam and fill the shower with an aroma designed to soothe.

The package comes with six steamers with essential oils like juniper berry, lemongrass, lavender, eucalyptus, jasmine, and orange. The de-stressing steamers are also cruelty-free and vegan-friendly.

18. Patchology Moodpatch Chill Mode Eye Gels

When shopping for a skin care devotee, eye gels may be a nice pick-me-up to add to a regimen. Patchology Moodpatch Chill Mode eye gels have a cooling effect intended to soothe.

The gels are infused with cannabis seed oil, which contains anti-inflammatory gamma-linolenic acid to soothe the skin. The product’s allantoin and rhodiola extract may help calm redness, while the reishi and snow mushroom extracts may hydrate the under-eye area.

Learn more

Similar to the time-honored method of using cut cucumbers on your eyes, the eye gels are cool to the touch. The eye gels can help depuff tired eyes in the morning or provide a little indulgence after a long day.

19. Hatch Restore Smart Sleep Assistant

Getting adequate sleep is necessary for a healthy life. A general rule for adults is 7 to 9 hours of sleep. Sacrificing extra Zzz’s can have a detrimental effect on wellness. Research shows that 21 percent of adults report feeling more stressed, while 37 percent find themselves feeling fatigued or tired because of stress.

With sleep being such an important part of life, the Hatch Restore can be a helpful aid for loved ones in need of some quality shut-eye. The Hatch Restore is a multiuse relaxation tool that features a sound machine, meditation app, and a sunrise alarm that simulates the morning sun. The device also includes a soft- glow reading light.

20. Neom Real Luxury Bath Foam

Celebrate your friend with a little bubbly — no, not that kind. Neom Real Luxury Bath Foam from its “Scent to De-Stress” line is a fragranced formula that contains lavender, jasmine, and Brazilian rosewood. The effervescent foam also works to soften and soothe the skin with ingredients like coconut oil, aloe, and almond oil.

Neom sells branded gift bags and boxes that may come in handy for those sending gifts long-distance.

21. Embroidery Kit

Much like adult coloring books, activities that require focus and distract from self-awareness can result in relaxation. Etsy has a stockpile of crafting kits that focus on everything from candle-making to pottery. Embroidery — the skill of hand-sewing art onto fabric — is a popular craft on Etsy’s marketplace, where hundreds of thousands of embroidery kits are available.

Fiber arts like sewing have been incorporated into art therapy programs and explored by researchers. The embroidery trend has also captured consumers: Google Trends shows a 2020 surge in embroidery-curious users searching for ways to start the craft. Etsy seller snugglymonkey has garnered more than 20,000 reviews and provides embroidery hoops, patterns, and supplies for crafters.

22. AJNA Yoga Bolster Pillow

Any yogi knows that the best part of a yoga practice is Savasana (aka Corpse Pose). Using a yoga bolster can alleviate pressure on joints and deepen the stretches of certain poses. Bolsters are similar to a pillow but feature a firmer foam that provides lumbar support.

This AJNA yoga bolster is highly rated on Amazon. It has a 4.8-star average rating on hundreds of reviews — 88 percent of which gave the pillow 5 stars. “As a yoga teacher I’d absolutely recommend this bolster,” says one Amazon reviewer.

23. Parachute Soft Rib Robe

Cozy weekends need their own uniform. Parachute’s soft rib robe is made from 100 percent cotton terry cloth, a material that many reviewers call “cuddly.” While comfort is key, Parachute’s design features ribbed lines and side-seam pockets.

Gray and white are two reliable color choices, but the robe is also available in a rust-like “clay” color, like the one on Popsugar’s list of colors dominating 2021 runways.

Eighty-one percent of reviewers awarded it between 4 and 5 stars. Warning: You may be tempted to buy the Parachute robe for yourself. “I loved this robe so much that in a matter of two days [I] bought one a day for other people. They love their robes too,” writes a verified customer.

24. Rae DeStress Capsules

A flurry of vitamin brands has emerged on the market with an aesthetic of simple design and familiar fonts that have come to symbolize modern wellness.

While stress-relieving supplements sound appealing, some brands can cost upward of $60 for a month’s supply. Rae Wellness, founded in 2019, has supplements starting at $14.99. Its DeStress capsules have the same ingredients that aim to combat stress at a far more accessible price.

Studies conducted on ingredients like the Ayurvedic herb ashwagandha and Rhodiola rosea have shown some positive findings in stress reduction, though research is developing. The capsules also include L-tyrosine, an amino acid with some promising findings on its link to improved mental function.

25. Aveda Stress-Fix Composition Oil

Aveda Stress-Fix Composition Oil is an aromatic product that can be used as a body oil, scalp oil, or bath additive. The multiuse product blends certified organic lavender, lavandin, and clary sage scents into its formula. The composition’s jojoba and sunflower oils also moisturize and work as antioxidants.

A perk of this Aveda oil is its ability to multitask, making it more than just a one-trick pony of a present. It can be used from head to toe, acting as a pre- shampoo scalp massage oil or a nourishing foot rub for calloused feet. The Aveda website also suggests adding a few drops of oil into the bathtub for a full-body soak.

Why is stress relief important?

Everyone experiences stress, but unmanaged and persistent stress can have long- term consequences on your overall health.

Stress can cause emotional and physical symptoms like:

• headaches
acne
• digestive issues
• low libido
• tense muscles
• low energy
• changes in appetite

When stress persists, it can have detrimental effects. Long-term stress can cause:

• mental health conditions, like depression and anxiety
• gastrointestinal issues, including gastroesophageal reflux disease and gastritis
• heart disease and increased risk of heart attacks
• high blood pressure
• increased risk of stroke
• a lowered immune system
• an impact on fertility

Managing your stress levels can help improve your quality of life.

Takeaway

Everyone encounters stress in their lives. Work priorities, family, health, financial stability, and current events can all play into major stressors. Honestly, just the act of gift-giving can be stressful!

Stress-reducing habits and activities can transform a person’s day and bring relief. Bringing a little relief into a friend or family member’s life with a thoughtful present can be an impactful and memorable way to show you care.

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