There will be a time in our lives where we have someone close to us that is going through a rough patch in life. And honestly, everyone has that. It is apart of life. During these times, someone may feel lost, sad, frustrated, anxious, and so many more emotions. They may need extra support or just hear someone say or show "I care for you" and "I am here for you". Here is a guide for creating a gift box or care package to show someone that extra support.
Times of heightened anxiety
I am (unfortunately) the pro of anxiety and panic attacks. I have been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) for as long as I can remember. Over the years, I have seen many counselors and have learned what items can help me. And here are a few!
Sour Candy
If you haven't heard, sour candy has been a unconventional way of helping panic attacks! And who doesn't love candy? I have even had numerous counselors recommend this as a coping mechanism. The sourness helps distract and redirect the brain. There are so many options for candy out there, but my personal favorite is the Candy Club Sour Belts! However, our site has many other options of sweet and sours candy!
Lavender Scents
Lavender is an herb that has natural effects for calming, soothing, and relaxing effects.
It can also help depression and insomnia! The Sweet Dreams hand cream has a
scent and hints of vanilla, leaving a pleasant and calming smell.
With the cream, you can pair our Sophia Terrazzo Soap Bar, with lavender and tangerine scents. Not only does it smell amazing, but it also looks BEAUTIFUL!
SQUISHYS!!! (fidget toys, but I think squishys sound more appealing)
Who doesn't love fidgets? Our shop has many different selections. At our location at Rogers Behavioral Health, our fidgets are our top sellers, especially amongst our child and adolescent residential patients! My personal favorite is the Nice Cube, Gumdrop, and Groovy Fruit!
Crystals and Gems
We have many types of bracelets with crystals of many powers. This is just an example! Wearing a bracelet with calming and stable properties, is perfect for someone trying to find that inner peace. I have also been one to enjoy amethyst jewelry, as it brings me a calming effect when I need it most.
Times of Depression
Depression. It's a thing that everyone experiences at one point or another. Some experience more than others, and that is okay! Emotions are normal. We just need to learn to not let them take over. If you or someone you know is going through this patch, here are a few items that could help show that they are not alone.
Reminder Stickers
Our shop has an assortment of stickers that have strong messages. Whether they are words of encouragement or just a little reminder, we have it! We also and creative ones to help put a smile on someone's face! They are all high quality vinyl stickers, making them perfect to stick anywhere! I like to put them all over my water bottle.
Comfy Clothing
Who doesn't love a comfy t-shirt or hoodie, especially with uplifting words of encouragement for yourself or others!
All of our shirts are sweatshirts are handmade by US! We have a wide variety of styles, prints, sizes and materials. This is my favorite t-shirt and hoodie!
Reading Material
This is especially perfect for those who love to read. We have many selections of books that have uplifting and hopeful messages that sends to the reader. My favorite are the poetry books. I am a poetry lover, especially when it is powerful and uplifting, like Stay Until Tomorrow.
Tokens and Charms
Tokens can serve as little reminders to ourselves about what is important to us. Whether that is a reminder of your self worth or something to help you get through a tough patch. It can also be a reminder from a loved one, reminding you that they are always there for you. Our shop has different charms and tokens, associated with a meaning. You can pick what is best for your loved one, but my favorites are the little pocket hugs!
Grieving
Losing someone in your life is hard. Family, romantic relationships, friendships, and animals, it is all hard and not something we should not have to experience in our lives. But it still is. My step dad and one of my high school friends, took their own lives, and even years later I am still grieving, but with support.
Bath and Body
Some days are tougher than others. It is apart of the process. On those tough days, I like to relax with our Aromatherapy Essential Oil Shower Steamer. My favorite is the eucalyptus, but there is also lemongrass, lavender and peppermint. For those who prefer baths, we also have bath bombs with similar scents!
Stuffies
A cuddly friend is never a bad choice. We have cuddly bears (such as this one! My favorite.) and other plushies with funny messages to help bring a smile to someone's face. There are many with funny messages, puns, keychains, and so much more!
Chocolate
Yes you read that right...Chocolate! It isn't regular chocolate either...it's chocolate with a mood! Funny, creative, yet still delicious! Every mood is filled with a delicious bite. This high quality chocolate can come in mini or full size, which ever one suits your mood! Ha ha...get it? Cause it's mood chocolate? Ok... I guess you need a specific taste in humor.
Cards
When losing a loved one, we need support. Whether we choose to show it or not. As a reminder that you are always there for someone, our cards are an amazing way of saying "I'm ready to listen when you're ready to talk". It can be hard to open up about how you're feeling, especially with loss. You never want to force someone to talk, but you want to reassure them that they can talk.
Recovery (Eating Disorder)
It ain't easy. It is a long and hard process to not only admit you need help, find the help, and then go through it. When supporting someone starting their journey to recovery, little things to remind them "Hey, you got this" can really mean a lot to someone.
Journals
Tracking your journey can be a good way to set goals, achieve them, and show how far you have come. We have a variety of blank journals to write and draw what YOU want. But, we also have more guided journal activities such as one of our productivity journals.
There are two of our guided journals. We have many different types of guided journals and plan journals with gorgeous covers or plain ones! And don't forget to pair them with one of our pen, pencil or markers sets! Or all 3...
Affirmation Cards
Sometimes it is hard to reassure yourself or you may not know what to say to someone who needs the reassurance. Here is just an example of what affirmation cards we have. There are also single cards and post cards available too but these are my favorite! There are so many to choose from and to give guidance, but I also love the art on each one.
Self-Care Bath and Body
I have always been a self-care lover. Soaps, lotions, lip balm, and so many more. I have way too many of each item, but it makes me happy and feel better when I have my own down days.
We have bars of soap that not only smell AMAZING, they also feel amazing, and look GORGEOUS! Each bar is handcrafted and carefully made to ensure the art is beautiful but still does its job. We also have lip balm that has reminders to help boost the self confidence.
Recovery (Addiction)
Regardless of the substance, the road to sobriety is difficult and there isn't a map to guide you. Everyone has their own way of going on their journey. And staying sober is just as difficult. Whether someone is becoming sober, or have been sober, here are some things that can remind someone that they're doing something difficult and are absolutely rocking it.
Cards
We have cards for many occasions, even celebrating a sobriety anniversary or congratulating and supporting someone who are beginning their journey. We have many, but these two are my favorites.
Sober Soap
I love soaps (if I haven't mentioned it like 3 times already), and like the others we carry, they smell amazing and have messages to celebrate your journey and to remind you to keep going. Not only does this soap believe in you, but I do too! And many others do as well. You got this!
Clothing
There's nothing better than showing off your journey. Be proud of it! Show it off! You came this far, don't stop now. We have many crewnecks, t-shirts, and hoodies, that feature steps and memos that you may hear and experience on your journey through AA/NA.
Books
When in doubt, grab a book. As mentioned, we have a large variety of different books, all tailored to something, such as sobriety. We have classic books that you may have seen in AA/NA, but we also have other books for meditations, workbooks, guidebooks, and inspiration!
I'm sure you have a lot on your mind. And that's okay. And understandable! I hope these ideas can help ease your mind and help you show your support to yourself or a loved one. Like Forest Gump once said, "life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're going to get"... and it is true. Life is unique, scary, fun, exciting, sad, maddening, hostile, sweet, and the list goes on. Life is life, so let's have each other's backs.
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