Aliza Shapiro’s Mental Health Gift Ideas

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I’ve been an anxiety therapist in Manhattan for over 10 years, and people tell me what they really want all the time. It’s not more things, it’s more peace of mind. It’s not a wild getaway, it’s less burnout. It’s not another lip liner, it’s a calm nervous system. In my work, I help people get to the root of what they really want, who they really are, and how to sustain wellness, joy, and healing. I’d bet that anyone reading this has a loved one on their gift list who has struggled in a significant way this year. I say this as a therapist: normalizing those feelings and supporting healing (yes, even with our gifting) is one of the most powerful things we can do.

That’s not to say that “things” are valueless, though. Therapy done right is a game-changer. In a 50-minute session, many clients shift thoughts, emotions, behaviors, relationships, and neural pathways in radical and life changing ways. But my clients also know that if they leave the therapy room and forget what they’ve discovered, hope to focus on, and aim to practically change, it’ll take a lot longer for healing to happen. Having reminders, implementing wellness strategies, and using healing cues throughout our weeks can bring our 50-minute sessions to life, and I’ve compiled some of my favorite ways to do just that.

I’m no wellness junkie — but I know for certain that the way we treat our minds and bodies impacts the way we feel. I’m sharing a list of some of my favorite things to gift people in their healing eras (which, let’s be real, is basically all of us), so we can give things that don’t just look good, but do good too. From nervous system oils to weighted vests and coffee table mindfulness cards to stress-relieving tech, these gifts show the people in your life that they are seen, and that you care. This holiday season, let’s reimagine gifting. I can say with confidence that what’s really on your best friend’s wishlist this year is happiness, wellness, and peace of mind.