Hands holding a heart shape basket filled with self care items: a brush, cotton balls, oranges, etc

DIY Self-Care Kit for Autumn: Stress Relief Gifts & Relaxation Ideas

A lot of what happens in life is beyond our control, but there are still some things we can control – our mental and physical health. This autumn season, be proactive and create a powerful self-care kit to support your mental health - a gift of relaxation and stress relief for yourself.. Learn practical techniques for how to regulate your nervous system, enabling you to navigate stressful situations with resilience and calm. 

What is a Self-Care Kit?

A self-care kit is simply a collection of items that supports your emotional well-being. These are things that have nurtured you when you needed them, and maybe given you a boost in times of weakness.

Let’s get busy! We’re going to be making an awesome self-care kit that should contain things that help you get perspective when you need it most.

What should be included in a Self-Care Kit?

Make self-care a priority today with these stress relief gift ideas. Your self-care kit is entirely up to you but should cater everything you need for relaxation and rejuvenation. You should start your self-care kit with visual ideas, find the right kind of sounds, look for items that help you feel great, scents that support you, and of course tasty and healthy treats!

Here are some ideas on what can be in a DIY self-care kit this fall – perfect as gifts for relaxation or to pamper yourself:

Begin With Visual Ideas

  • Personal Growth Book: For some people, the most satisfying way to spend their time is by developing themselves. We want to feel happy and healthy, so sometimes we crave the satisfaction of inner growth. Check out empowering books for Women or best sellers selection to see if anything resonates with you. The best way to get out of your rut is to get into a book.
  • Novel or Light Book: Sometimes when life is getting you down, all you need is to escape. Perhaps a longing romance, murder mystery or an action-adventure will be the answer. Find a book that you'll enjoy and will take you to a faraway place.
  • Photos: Indulge in self-care by printing out some photos that you love or create a go-to collection of photos in your phone. Looking at pictures of your friends and family can give you a much-needed mental boost and a way to remind yourself of all the things that are worth living for.
  • New Journal & Colorful Pens: Writing is therapy. Add a beautiful journal to the mix or some bright pens that you’ll be excited to use. Relieve your worries and stress with a good journaling session. We all need some good self-led therapy sometimes!
  • Positive Phrases or Quotes: Write down some positive quotes to help you overcome the challenges you face. Simply writing it will uplift you in tough times and help you feel much better.
  • Thank You Cards: Gratitude is a great way to deal with stress and anxiety. Add a few thank-you notes to your kit to send to those you love. It will boost your mental health and you’ll make someone else feel good as well. Writing a “Thank You” note is one of the simplest ways of reconnecting with people.
  • Manicure Kit: Sometimes it's helpful to be reminded of the small pleasures in life, like taking care of your nails. Splurge in quality nail polish or fake nails when the time is right. There are a lot of options for blissful manicures these days! It's good to pamper yourself and feel pretty.

Find the Right Kind of Noise

The things you tell yourself and the sounds you surround yourself with can have a huge impact on your quality of life.

  • Positive Podcasts: A great way to help you feel good is to take some time searching for podcasts that you can check out and that will make you feel good. You can feel like you're getting a hug from a friend when you listen to someone's podcast. There are plenty of podcasts that will help you maintain a healthy mindset. 
  • Affirmation Cards: Taking care of yourself doesn't take much time or effort. You could write down or make a collage of your favorite affirmations that help you love yourself. We all need extra love once in a while, especially from our biggest critics—ourselves. 
  • Music to Sleep and Relax: Transform your favorite songs into a powerful tool for relaxation, inspiration, and creative flow. Crafting a personalized playlist of music to sleep and relax will save you time searching for the perfect tunes to match your mood. This easily accessible collection will become your go-to resource for calming down, finding new ideas, and boosting your creativity whenever you need it.

Things that Help You Feel Great

  • The Chill Pill® Handheld Device: Explore this handheld anxiety device that combines breakthrough signal patterns and customizable frequency settings to provide targeted relief from stress and anxiety helping to regulate your nervous system.
  • Bath Bombs or New Shower Products: Sometimes, the perfect gift for relaxation or stress relief can be something simple and rejuvenating. Whether it's luxurious bath bombs, a soothing bath scrub, or a rejuvenating shower gel, these little self-care gifts can be a simple way to unwind and de-stress. 
  • Face Masks: It's important to hydrate your skin in the cold winter months, so be sure to keep your face protected from harsh weather. A face mask will keep your skin feeling fresh and rejuvenated.
  • Massage Products: If you love getting massages, pick up a high-quality massage oil or lotion, so you can enjoy a great massage even if you can't afford one. Then, get your partner to give you a quick massage on stressful days.
  • Cozy Fabrics: You should have something in your self-care kit that makes you feel cozy and well cared for. A plush or weighted blanket, eye mask, slippers, socks, a robe, or a new comfortable nightgown all encourage you to take it easy and enjoy life’s simple pleasures a bit more.

Scents That Support You 

Scent makes a difference in emotional health, so try lavender when you need to relax and peppermint when you need a little pick-me-up.

  • Candles: A good self-care kit includes at least one candle that makes you happy. Get a fresh candle and stick it in for easy access when you need to relieve stress.
  • Essential Oils: A mood booster scent should be included in your self-care kit. Many people use their diffusers to fight the cold and flu, but essential oils can be just as helpful for regulating things like your sleep, levels of stress, and calming your nerves.

Tasty & Healthy Treats

Our bodies need healthy quality options but sometimes you also need a small splurge that can get you through the day.

  • Healthy Snacks: Choose from popcorn, veggie chips, dried fruit, nuts, and granola bars. A few healthy dry snacks can make your day when your general supply is low!
  • Chocolate: Who doesn’t crave a bit of chocolate now and then? Get something with 85-95% cocoa, and you’ll find the sugar is very low.
  • Hot Chocolate: This is one of the things we love most this season. Cozy, hot, and don't forget the marshmallows!
  • Alcohol: While being cautious to not turn to numbing coping mechanisms that can develop dangerous addictions, a small nightcap can take the edge off after a long day. Maybe it’s a coveted bottle of red wine as your luxury or ingredients to a new cocktail you know you’d love to try when the time is right. Make it special and it will be the perfect addition to your self-care kit.
  • Herbal Tea: Tea helps fill in the hydration gaps when you’re struggling to drink enough water. A quality herbal tea can be the energizing boost you need in the morning, or just the thing to calm you down at night.
  • Quality Coffee: A package of that fancy coffee you love can be a gigantic mood booster. It’s the warm cup or the jolt of caffeine that uplifts us in a way other things cannot.

Taking a stand for your well-being and spreading a little self-care love is always a good idea. You need to recharge so that you have the physical and emotional energy to take care of your family and conquer your other marvelous life goals and dreams.

Investing in gifts for relaxation and stress relief can be a game-changer. Consider treating yourself or a loved one to our Gift Box, a must-have addition to any self-care kit. The Chill Pill® handheld device offers instant stress relief, calming nerves, and promoting the restful sleep you need to take on whatever life throws your way.

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