Have a friend or family member who is feeling down? Want to send some love and support in a box?
Photo of a rectangular, pink, wrapped gift with gold ribbon via Ekaterina Shevchenko on Unsplash.com
Sometimes we can find ourselves wanting to send love, support, and a hug to a friend or loved one far away. It can be hard to be there in person for our friends and loved ones, especially with life being as hectic as it is. So, how do you send a hug, love, and support in the mail? You send a mental health care package!
Here are 10 items to include in a mental health care package guaranteed to help!
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1. A grocery, or even better yet, a food delivery service gift card.
Photo of groceries and an Instacart gift card
Many people, especially younger people (yes, I’m calling out YOU crippling student debt), struggle with financial anxiety. A grocery or food gift card can be like a deep breath of fresh air. It’s a weight off of our shoulders. It doesn’t have to be much, as any amount will be deeply appreciated.
Additionally, depression and other mental illnesses can make it extremely hard to leave the house. For example, when my depression flares up, my muscles feel like lead and I can hardly move. Delivery services help me focus on healing myself instead of making it to the store.
You can buy a gift card for grocery delivery through Instacart here!
You can also browse different grocery store gift cards here!
2. Candles and other aromatherapy.
Photo of a candle by Joyce G on Unsplash.com
Warm candlelight can be soothing, calming, and invigorating. Different scents can have different results. For example, a lavender candle can be calming while a lemon mint candle can be invigorating.
Flames can also be dangerous though. So, if your friend or loved one tends to or is in a mental state where they are more likely to self harm, opt for battery-run candles or essential oils instead. Essential oils can come in lotions, rollerballs, or you can even add them to humidifiers to amplify their results.
3. A card telling them how much you appreciate and care for them.
Photo of “just to say hello” card via Olivia Morgan Ltd.
Words can go a long way. People with mental illnesses’ brains are typically very mean to them. Constantly. And not only is it exhausting, but it can feel crushing at times.
Reading compassionate words of appreciation and encouragement from a friend or loved one can help us to silence that mean voice.
I keep all of the letters and cards I’ve received stored in a box, and whenever I am overwhelmed by the inner negativity, I read the kind words. And it really does help me.
4. Some of their favorite snacks and/or candies.
Photo of a gift-a-snack package via AmazonSmile
Comfort food is a thing for a reason. Sometimes eating or finding the energy to eat can feel like taking part in an extreme sport you did not sign up for. It’s a lot easier to eat when the food being offered is one of your favorites.
As I like to say, sometimes the best way to a salad for dinner, is chips for breakfast.
5. Relaxing bath (or shower) supplies.
Photo of a bath bomb and spa kit via Lush.com
Never underestimate the power of a good epsom salt bath!
It may seem like a small thing, but taking the time to pamper and take care of yourself is a great way to treat your body. Having mental illnesses myself means that sometimes I don’t value my own being. But time is always valued. It is literally a measurement.
Investing time in yourself helps you value yourself more. And smelling amazing doesn’t hurt either.
6. Organization supplies (i.e. pens, paper, notebooks, highlighters).
Photo of office supplies via AmazonSmile
Post-it notes, notepads, new pens, folders, and highlighters make me feel like I can get my life under control one sticky-note at a time. It may sound silly, but organization is super helpful for combatting mental illnesses.
My brain can sometimes feel like a tornado of multiple different strings of thought. Writing things down and being organized is a system that helps me give my brain a break. Instead of constantly worrying whether or not I’ve remembered everything I need to, I can write it down in a notebook.
Now the only thing I need to worry about is losing the notebook.
7. A fidget toy or worry stone.
Photo of worry stones via AmazonSmile
For these, it can sometimes be a good idea to include two or three options. This is a gift that can especially help with ADHD, ADD, and anxiety. But it is also a pretty personal thing, as it needs to be something the person will want to keep near them and use frequently.
Opt for smaller items, about palm-sized or smaller. For some other options, try out fidget spinners or rings.
BONUS: For worry stones, try to match the stone to their zodiac sign! This can help personalize the gift even further.
8. Self-help book or a book about something they are interested in (50 – 100 pages or less preferably).
Photo of book by Thich Nhat Hanh, mindfulness expert and zen monk, via AmazonSmile
For this, the smaller and less pages, the better. You are not assigning them homework. You are providing them with a fun and helpful book to read.
If your friend or loved one doesn’t like books, a poster, print-out, or picture is always great too!
9. A handheld massager (scalp scratcher or palm sized massager).
Photo of two scalp massagers via AmazonSmile
Stress can hide in our muscles, and different types of stress can rest in different parts of the body. I personally always experience a lot of stress tension in my neck and shoulders.
Having a scalp scratcher or palm sized massager is a great way to provide your friend or loved one with some much needed relief. Gua sha stones are also very helpful!
10. Write down positive reminders, favorite quotes, and your friend or loved one’s positive qualities on index cards or post-it notes! Encourage your loved one to leave them around their space.
Photo of mental health reminders and words of encouragement on sticky notes via Pinterest
Include some tape in the mental health care package if you can! The idea is that when walking around their space, the person will be able to naturally come into contact with your positive words and reminders.
This can also help the person’s space to feel more positive, as kind words are literally all around them.
If you don’t have the time to make the care package from scratch but still want to send some love and support, then I recommend using a site like HappyBox! Pick what you want, and they’ll make and send the care package for you!
I hope you have found this blog post about mental health care packages helpful! Sending you, your friends, and your loved ones so much love and support. Together, we will make it to tomorrow.
Always yours,
Sara, ATSO
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