You stumble into the living room, desperate to find the closest sofa. You pull your work shoes off, close your eyes, and ask yourself one burning question.
“Do I really have to go through this day in and day out for another 35 years?”
We understand. Work is — well, work. It’s not easy not being retired yet.
As a matter of fact, research shows that annual health care costs associated with workplace stress are an estimated $190 billion in the United States.
The good news, though, is that reducing workplace stress doesn’t have to cost you or your friends a lot of money.
If you’re looking to cheer up a friend with a gift that will help them de-stress — in addition to cheering yourself up — here’s a rundown on 20 relaxation gifts that will encourage relaxation.
Let’s jump in!
1. Relaxation Gifts Include Foot Massagers
If your friend can’t make it out to a professional masseuse for a foot massage, the next-best thing is to give her a foot warmer that also massages the feet while keeping them toasty. It’s an excellent tool for experiencing the benefits of foot reflexology right in the comfort of her own home.
2. Sleep Masks
A sleep mask is perfect for blocking out annoying light so that your friend can finally enjoy quality, restful sleep at night.
The mask is just as handy for making nap times more refreshing. And, considering that naps not only reduce stress but also promote productivity and creativity, you couldn’t give your friend a better gift.
3. Lavender Spa Items
You generally can’t go wrong with giving lavender-scented spa items as a gift.
That’s because lavender is proven to have a calming effect. So, it’s the gift that keeps on giving for the perfect evening bath before your friend retires for the night.
4. Bath Pillows
In addition to giving your friend some lavender spa items, be sure to throw in a bath pillow, too. After all, her bathtub’s porcelain surface isn’t exactly the most comfortable place for her to rest her head.
The pillow’s plush cushion can easily cradle your friend’s head so that even if she falls asleep while bathing, she won’t end up with a strained, stiff neck. You know — the kind that’ll eventually send you to the chiropractor if you experience it too often.
5. Facial Steamers
Your friend loves the idea of going into a sauna, but they’re not crazy about sweating with total strangers in public.
A facial steamer is the answer to their prayers.
With a portable facial steamer, your friend can experience a private, exclusive facial no matter where they are. These facials can work wonders when it comes to making their skin look fresh and helping to minimize wrinkles and blemishes.
6. Gel Pads That go Under the Eyes
If your friend is constantly feeling tired or stressed, her eyes and face will tell.
The good news is that she doesn’t have to fall victim to the dark circles that form from a night of inadequate rest. She can simply place gel pads beneath her eyes for 15 minutes to give herself a miraculous refreshed look.
Under-eye pads are also helpful for decreasing the appearance of wrinkles and moisturizing dry skin for a younger look.
7. Flotation Spa Gift Certificates
If your friend has never heard of a flotation spa, it’s time to introduce her to one with a gift certificate.
In these types of spas, your friend can immerse herself in complete relaxation involving warm water filled with Epsom salts.
This type of therapeutic treatment offers both physical and mental benefits that may last for months, including pain reduction, inner peace, mind-enhancing insights and boosts in creativity.
8. Polyphonic Synthesizers
Perhaps your friend is interested in mindfulness or meditation. A polyphonic synthesizer would be an ideal gift for helping them to decompress.
Using a flickering light, this device generates dual binaural and binaural beats to induce a variety of consciousness states. These states include relaxation, decreased anxiety, and even euphoria.
9. Heated Lavender Spa Blankets
As we alluded to earlier, lavender is known for its emotionally and physically balancing effects. It is also known for helping to reduce nausea.
That’s part of what makes a heated lavender spa blanket such a welcome gift. The other reasons your friend will like such a blanket are its soft texture and its ability to warm her skin for a cozy, relaxing experience every time she uses it.
10. Essential Oils
Essential oils are all the rave today because they are refreshing and can delight the senses without causing irritation to the skin if used correctly.
Various scents, such as lavender, frankincense, and chamomile, can help to relieve your friend’s nervous tension, soothe her nerves and improve her wellbeing overall.
11. Oil Diffusers
These items are great gifts for enveloping your friend in complete tranquility as she sleeps.
A diffuser’s steamer can simply distribute her desired essential oil’s scent throughout her bedroom for the best private spa experience possible. Eucalyptus and lavender are especially wonderful oil choices for a calming effect.
12. Yoga Mat Bags
Let’s say your friend loves doing yoga. Chances are, that as much as she enjoys the effects of yoga, she doesn’t necessarily enjoy toting her yoga mat around.
Why not give her the gift of a yoga mat bag? It’s a handy item that’ll not only make her life easier on yoga days but also protect her beloved mat from the elements.
13. Footsie Bath
If your friend could use foot therapy but doesn’t want to break the bank, a footsie bath is an excellent option.
In ancient Greece, people used foot baths to reduce sleeplessness, relieve headaches, and decrease their blood pressure. Today, the footsie bath works wonders for massaging aching soles on a regular basis at home.
14. Mud Masks
These items are top gift choices for your friend for a number of reasons.
First, they exfoliate the skin naturally. They also moisturize the skin, fight acne, make the skin more elastic, and decrease signs of aging — all perks your friend would likely appreciate.
15. Rosehip Oil
Rosehip oil is known to minimize stretch marks’ and scars’ appearance. However, that’s not all that rosehip oil can do your friend.
This type of oil can also refresh your friend’s skin by giving it the vitamin A she needs to look healthier and more youthful.
In fact, when she uses this oil, she’ll essentially be following in the Native Americans’, Egyptians’ and Mayans’ footsteps, as these groups used rosehip oil as part of their beauty regimens.
16. Foot Therapy Gifts
Out of all of the parts of your body, your feet probably take the greatest amount of abuse. And the same is true for your friend.
So, why not put together a gift basket filled with foot therapy items for your sidekick?
For instance, you could include a balm designed to repair the skin. A foot scrub along with a pumice stick and scrub brush would also be welcome. Even a foot roller that can help to work out tension would be a nice addition to the gift basket.
17. Cannabis Drinks
One of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to kick back and relax is to sit down with a cold one in your hand. But we’re not talking about beer.
We’re talking about a cannabis root beer. You could even add ice cream for the ultimate root beer float — the perfect way to take the edge off while satisfying your friend’s sweet tooth. Click here to learn more about these types of cannabis products, which make great gifts for several reasons.
18. Neck Hammocks
Does your friend suffer from shoulder and neck pain, arthritis, or headaches? A neck hammock may be just the gift she needs but never knew she needed.
The hammock works by gently pulling your friend’s head away from her neck. This relieves the muscles and discs, thus providing both relaxation and pain relief.
19. Onesie Pajamas
Yes, onesie pajamas may look a little ridiculous on your adult friend. But they certainly won’t feel that way.
Cooler weather is on the way, so onesie fleece pajamas couldn’t be a more fitting (pardon the pun) gift for keeping your friend warm and toasty on the coldest nights.
20. Acupuncture Mats
Whether your friend loves acupuncture or has never tried it, she’ll likely fall in love with an acupuncture mat.
These mats feature plastic points that stimulate pressure points, ultimately reducing tension and relieving neck and back pain. They also release a river of endorphins for an unforgettable feel-good experience.
How We Can Help
In addition to highlighting the best relaxation gifts today, we offer a glimpse at other types of popular gifts for a variety of special occasions.
Take a peek here to find more gift ideas that may work perfectly for your family and friends this fall.
