Times are extremely stressful and tense right now. With no clear ending for the pandemic in sight and a foggy future ahead, it is understandable if you’re feeling a little anxious or nervous. But it is crucial that you take time to look after, and even pamper, yourself every once in a while to help keep your spirits up.

If you have a friend or family member who is going through a particularly tough time at the moment, a care package might be just what they need to help cheer them up. It doesn’t matter how large or small the care package you send them is. Knowing that you took the time to find soothing spa items and luxurious self-care supplies like the suggestions listed below can do wonders for one’s mood. Check out these top care package suggestions now! 

12 Items That Are Perfect for a Self-Care Package

Don’t forget to add these items to your loved one’s self-care package!

Making sure your loved ones are taking care of themselves during this challenging time can show how much you care about them. One way to remind them that you are thinking about them is by sending a custom care package. There are a number of fun and relaxing items to give your loved ones, including:

• Coloring books
• Tea packets for nutrition and relaxation
• Guides on meditation and mindfulness
• Booklets on stress-relieving exercises
• Face masks
• Bath bombs
• Paint-by-numbers kit
• Facial creams for cleaning and hydrating your skin
• Healthy snacks to keep them energized
• Scented candles to remind them of home
• Body lotion
• Crochet or knitting supplies
  

You can buy most of these at the store or you can make them yourself if you are feeling especially creative! 

1. Coloring Books

Coloring books are more than just effective boredom busters. They can actually help you relax and get rid of your stress. Because you are focusing on the repetitive act of coloring and are not distracted by intrusive thoughts, your brain is able to relax. It also helps you practice mindfulness, as it encourages you to focus on the present activity in front of you. 

Since they don’t require high levels of skill or art experience to complete, they are accessible to a wide variety of people. You can color in a bunch of different designs, such as:

• Mandalas
• Sugar skulls
• Animals
• Buildings
• Characters from your favorite shows or films
• Food

2. Tea Packets

Is your friend or family member having trouble sleeping? According to Healthline, about 30% of people suffer from insomnia or some other sleep-related condition. Thanks to their natural calming effects, herbal teas are popular natural remedies for helping your loved one get some much-needed sleep. 

Some of the most effective herbal teas include: 

• Peppermint — classic treatment for treating mental stress and helping you relax
• Lavender — herbal tea known for its calming scent and relaxing effects
• Chamomile — popular remedy for treating insomnia and reducing inflammation
• Rose — aromatic beverage that can improve sleep and reduce stress
• Magnolia Bark — herbal tea that was traditionally used in Chinese medicine to relieve stress
• Lemon Balm — ancient herb used to improve sleep since the Middle Ages

3. Guides on Meditation and Mindfulness

Meditation is a popular method for reducing stress and increasing one’s focus. Learning proper meditation and mindfulness techniques can help you get rid of those racing thoughts and anxiety that make it hard to fall asleep. If your loved one is still a beginner in meditation, they may benefit from a small book or guide. Tuck one into your care package along with the rest of your items to help your loved one enjoy optimum relaxation. 

4. Booklet of Stress-Relieving Exercises

Breathing exercises, yoga, and long walks are easy and effective methods for reducing stress. Progressive muscular relaxation, which involves tensing and relaxing your body one muscle at a time, is another effective method for helping your loved one relax. If they are still new to any of these activities, they may benefit from a small guide to them. Something like a booklet on beginner yoga poses or a guide to different breathing exercises can be a great addition to your care package! 

5. Face Masks

Treat your friend with some luxurious face masks. Not only are masks fun to pamper yourself with, but they are also great for your skin. Depending on what type of mask you purchase, it can moisturize, refreshen, detox, and smooth over your skin. Some masks are designed to be worn overnight while others should only be worn for 20 minutes at a time. 

Face masks come in several different styles, including sheet masks, gel eye masks, and sleeping masks. Sheet masks come in a thin, wet sheet form that is supposed to be placed over your face for around 10 minutes at a time. Gel eye masks are typically used to treat puffy eyes. These masks are designed as thin, pad shapes that are meant to be placed under the eye. Sleeping masks are, unsurprisingly, worn overnight. These masks are usually built in the form of night cream. 

6. Bath Bombs

Bath bombs are a fun and easy addition to any care package! Many of them contain soothing moisturizers that nourish and smooth over the skin. They are also popular among people for their aromatherapeutic benefits. Some bath bombs are designed to wake you up in the morning while others are created to help you unwind and get ready for bed. Try adding a combination of different bath bombs to your care package. 

You can either purchase or make your own bath bombs. Popular stores like Lush® and Ulta offer soothing and relaxing bath bombs. If you want to challenge yourself to make your own bath bombs, there are a number of DIY bath bomb recipes you can try at home. 

7. Paint-by-Numbers Kit

Paint-by-numbers kits are popular for many of the same reasons that coloring books are. Many of them provide expansive canvases and boards perfect for hanging up as decorations when you are finished with them. Some kits offer acrylic paints while others offer watercolor options. No matter which one you pick, your loved one is sure to produce a gorgeous work of art once they are finished. 

8. Skincare Products

The right skincare products can make your loved one feel clean and rejuvenated. These products make a great addition to almost any care package. There are a number of different products you can include in the basket, such as:

• Cleanser
• Moisturizer
• Face Oil
• Exfoliator
• Sunscreen
• Toner

9. Healthy Snacks

While it might be tempting to grab some potato chips or Cheetos to snack on, they aren’t the healthiest snack around to enjoy. In fact, some snacks are known to put you in a bad mood. If your loved one is more of a health nut or just wants to improve their nutritional intake, they will love these healthy snacks!

• Pretzels
• Mixed nuts
• Apples
• Greek yogurt
• Kale chips
• Roasted chickpeas
• Avocadoes
• Rice cakes
• Cheesesticks 
• Health bars

10. Scented Candles

Scented candles are effective for soothing the mind and helping you focus. Some can even improve your mood by reminding you of pleasant memories. Homesick, a popular candle brand that offers a number of pleasing scents, provides candles inspired by different cities and areas around the world. For instance, if your loved one is missing the fresh breeze of SoCal, you can purchase a Southern California Candle for them. Every city from Atlanta to Las Vegas has a candle. Even special “Thank You, Mom” and “New Job” candles are offered. 

11. Body Lotion

Numerous body lotions provide pleasing scents along with their nourishing and hydrating capabilities. Thanks to healthy ingredients like vitamin A, shea butter, and different essential oils, the right body lotion can leave your loved one feeling fresh and moisturized. If you’re on the hunt for natural body lotion, try to look for products that include these ingredients:

• Coconut oil
• Olive oil
• Green tea
• Essential fatty acids
• Sunflower oil
• Hyaluronic acid
• Almond oil
• Aloe vera gel

12. Crochet or Knitting Supplies

Do you have a friend or family member who has always wanted to try their hand at crochet or knitting, but they just never had the time to learn it? Help them get started by purchasing them a beginner’s kit for crochet or knitting. These kits typically include all of the basic supplies you need to get started as well as a how-to guide to assist newbies. You can even send your loved one a cute little crochet animal or desk buddy for inspiration along with your kit! 

Sending a care package is a great way to remind someone that you’re always there for them. Assembling one can be pretty quick and easy, too. What items do you typically pack in a care package for your friends? Let us know!

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