35 essential self-care gifts to relax and recharge
Photo by Sora Shimazaki on Pexels
It’s easy to burn out in The City That Never Sleeps, especially around the holiday season. With work deadlines, shopping lists, and millions of tourists descending upon New York, life can get overwhelming. Prioritizing healthy eating, exercise, quality sleep, and relaxation are all key to taking care of yourself during this time of year. We’ve rounded up a list of items that you can gift others (and yourself) to help make self-care a part of any to-do list.
All of these products have been hand-selected by Team 6sqft. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these affiliate links. All prices reflect those at the time of publishing.
Face and body care
Food for your skin? Yes, please! This moisturizer uses Chlorella, a nutrient complex that contains green algae, anti-aging nutrients, and amino acids. It hydrates skin on a cellular level, evens out skin tone, reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and promotes soft, supple skin.
Sun Chlorella Cream Face Moisturizer, $69/Sale $61 at Amazon
This cooling spray can be used afterwards to instantly soothe and relieve post-shaving itchiness, while reducing the appearance of razor bumps or rash. It’s gentle enough to use every day.
Meridian The Cooler Daily Soothing Spray, $18 at Amazon
Experience red light therapy benefits without breaking the bank. This 4-in-1 LED therapy mask has four modes: red light anti-aging mode to help rejuvenate skin, yellow light repair mode for skin restoration, green light mode to brighten for radiant skin, and blue light acne care to clear breakouts. The mask has a long battery life, and the adjustable dual-strap fit ensures it fits securely.
FliKEZE Photon Mask Quint, $299/Sale $159 at FliKEZE
Designed specifically for men, Jack Black makes a variety of face, body, hair, and shave products. The Body Collection Set includes the men’s body wash, deodorant, body lotion, and body spray, in the Black Tie: Cardamom & Cedarwood scent. The Anti-Aging Triple Play Pro Series includes the protein booster skin serum, power peel multi-acid resurfacing pads, and eye rescue to diminish fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes.
Jack Black Body Collection Set, $75 at Amazon
A daily moisturizer for skin that’s prone to acne, this stem cell moisturizer is infused with plant-powered Bakuchiol (a retinol alternative that boosts collagen production), and Squalene (which mimics the skin’s natural oils and hydrates and protects the skin).
CLEARSTEM Hydraglow Stem Cell Moisturizer, $58/ Sale $46 at Amazon
This manual exfoliation tool is made of 100% real diamonds, doesn’t require a battery, and doesn’t use suction. It can help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, reduce and smooth acne and other types of scars, minimize the look of enlarged pores, and repair sun-damaged skin.
DIAMONDBUFF Microderm Exfoliation Tool, $60 at Amazon
If you want a lightweight daily probiotic face moisturizer, this one is 100% fragrance-free. It’s non-greasy and quick-absorbing. The moisturizer can be used for all skin types.
Lightweight Daily Probiotic Face Moisturizer, $54 at Ghost Democracy
This Castor Oil contains Ricinolein Acid to boost circulation and soothe puffiness, Omegas 6 and 9 to strengthen the skin’s barrier and improve elasticity, Vitamin E to provide antioxidant support, and it’s also antimicrobial to help calm breakouts.
100% Organic Castor Oil, $38 at Elham’s Liquid Oil
Using this hand-carved contour stone can help to stimulate lymphatic drainage, break up fascia, and enhance natural detox pathways. When used on a regular basis, it can help to promote circulation, ease tension, smooth skin, and reduce the appearance of dimples.
The Contour Stone, $99 at Elham’s Liquid Gold
Sleep better
Reminiscent of bedding found in luxury hotels and spas, this sheet set is made of double-brushed SoftPhiber, which provides a more premium feeling than you’d get with silk or satin sheets. The breathable sheets resist pilling, shrinking, stains, and wrinkles. In addition to being durable, the sheet set is also sustainable. Color choices include dove grey and white.
Coop Home Goods Comphy SoftSpa Bed Sheet Set, $199 at Amazon
Whether you’re a side, stomach, or back sleeper, these bed pillows can be adjusted to the best fit. Inside the zippered cover, you can add or remove the soft, gel-infused memory foam (an extra bag of fill is included). The memory foam gel is also cooling and breathable, so you won’t overheat while sleeping. Also, both the inner lining and the outer lining are machine-washable to make it easy to keep the pillow clean.
Coop Home Goods Eden Cool Adjustable Pillows, $119 at Amazon
If you like color choices, this sheet set is available in numerous colors, including coconut milk, blush, white, ocean mist, stone, harbor gray, onyx, and blue lagoon. Made with a sateen weave finish, the silky-smooth texture of the sheets is great for those with sensitive skin, and can keep you cool and comfortable at night. The sheets also have box-stitch seams and enhanced wrinkle protection.
Cariloha Resort 4-Piece Sateen Sheet Set, $289 at Amazon
You’ll sleep in luxury and comfort with this pearl velvet quilt, which has an ultra-fine weave. It’s smooth to the touch, plush and soft, and has a shimmery sheen. The velvet quilt set is warm, but lightweight, and it’s also breathable, so you can use it with a duvet in the fall and winter, or over sheets during spring and summer months. The set also includes two matching velvet shams and is available in stormy blue or olive green.
EverGrace Luxury Pearl Velvet Quilt Set, $89 at Amazon
This 60% rayon from bamboo and 40% cotton blend sheet set has a silky smooth and airy feel, along with quick-drying features to keep you cool and comfortable as you sleep. The breathable sheet set also uses a powerband on the fitted sheets and pillowcases to keep them securely in place. Color choices range from deep teal and navy to blush to grey and beige.
Bedgear Hyper-Cotton Bed Sheet Set, $199 at Amazon
Duvets can add comfort and elegance to your bedroom. This buttery-smooth sateen essentials duvet bundle includes a duvet cover with a three-sided hidden zipper, and the down alternative duvet insert has an anti-bunching snap system to ensure the insert stays in place. The bundle also includes two easy-zip pillow shams. Color choices include dune, fog, and snow.
Doze Sateen Essentials Duvet Bundle, $525 at Amazon
Stay healthy
It may be difficult to get all of the vitamins and minerals you need from food. These power packets include Vitamins C, D3, B6, B12, as well as Riboflavin, Niacin, Folate, Pantothenic Acid, Magnesium, Zinc, Selenium, Manganese, and Potassium. Simply open one packet and mix in 2 to 3 ounces of water. Flavors include mixed berry, lemon lime, fizzy grapefruit, guava passionfruit, orange bliss, and more.
Trace Minerals Power Pack Multivitamin and Multimineral Packets, $20 at Amazon
For hormone health, hydration, and digestion, these daily doses of self-care include a prebiotic fiber blend, coconut water powder, Myo/D-Chiro inositol blend 40:1, Baja gold mineral sea salt, apple cider vinegar powder, magnesium glycinate, vitamin B5, and folic acid. Flavors include lemon raspberry, peach prickly pear, and blood orange blackberry.
Iris Hormone Health Electrolyte Drink Mix, $30 at Amazon
The key ingredients in these super greens (broccoli seed extract, alfalfa powder, glucoraphanin powder, organic spirulina), along with chlorophyll, can help to support cellular detoxification. The super greens can also boost energy levels and encourage a healthy immune response. You can either squeeze the contents into your mouth or stir them into your favorite beverage.
Super Greens, $58 at Cymbiotika
Sometimes, brushing may not be enough for a truly clean mouth. This oral irrigator can help to remove plaque and prevent gum disease and tooth decay. It has 4 modes (clean, soft, massage, and jet) along with 5 intensity levels. There are two standard nozzles, along with an orthodontic nozzle and a periodontal nozzle. The portable irrigator also has a long battery life (up to 30 days before it needs to be recharged). If you like different colors, the company also makes a 10-speed oral irrigator that’s available in pink, black, green, and white.
COSLUS XC50 Oral Irrigator, $46 at COSLUS
Ensure you’re drinking pure water with this faucet mount filtration system – and the white icing finish will also look stylish on your kitchen faucet. The PUR filter can last around 3 months (approximately 100 gallons of water) and reduces bad tastes and odors from heavy metals, pollutants, and chlorine.
Beautiful by PUR Faucet Mount Filtration System, $39/Sale $34 at Walmart
Eat well
According to various studies, coffee consumption could help stave off heart failure, Parkinson’s disease, Type 2 diabetes, and colon cancer. This coffee maker makes it super easy to enjoy a cup of Joe. It has a large capacity coffee grinder so you can grind fine, medium, or coarse coffee beans. The 10-cup coffee maker is also programmable and has a user-friendly touch interface and easy-to-read LCD display.
Melitta Aroma Fresh Plus 10 Cup Coffee Maker with Grinder, $299/Sale $179 at Amazon
If you prefer espresso drinks, this stylish espresso machine has a commercial-grade portafilter, 20-bar Italian pump, and smart OPV (over-pressure valve) control to help you maintain the proper pressure to ensure you’re not over-extracting coffee. You can also choose between three temperatures for the perfect cup of espresso. The semi-automatic steam wand lets you choose between mild and strong microfoam.
Gevi Commercial Espresso Machine, $459/Sale $299 at Amazon
Skip the burger and fries and take leftovers of your healthier meals to work. And instead of using the microwave to zap your food, this electric lunch box lets you heat up your lunch at your desk (just plug the cord into the wall), or you can reheat it in your car. The lunch box heats up to 185 degrees F and has an airtight seal. It’s also safe to refrigerate until you’re ready to heat it up. Color choices include latte, obsidian, and pink spice.
Bentgo Heat Electric Lunch Box, $59/Sale $54 at Amazon
Another option for storing food and taking it anywhere is this insulated food container, which holds 2.4 cups (19 ounces). The leak-proof, vacuum-sealed, triple-layer insulation container has a wide opening. Made of food-grade stainless steel, it can keep food either hot or cold for hours. Color choices include aqua, black, gold, rose gold, and stainless-steel silver.
Bentgo Stainless Insulated Food Container, $34/Sale $27 at Amazon
If you prefer cookware without PFAS (PFOA, PTFE aka Teflon, PFOS), lead, and other chemical coatings, this set is made with high-quality clad stainless steel. The cookware can be used on any type of stovetop, and it’s safe up to 800 degrees – with stay-cool handles when used on the stovetop. The set includes a 10.5-inch fry pan, 3 3-quart saucepan and lid, and 4-quart sauté pan and lid.
Heritage Steel Eater Series 5-Piece Essentials Set, $380 at Amazon
Feel-good clothes and jewelry
If you suffer from varicose veins, leg fatigue, pain, and swelling, and/or blood circulation issues, these compression socks provide both support and relief with a 20-30 mmHg compression level. They help to improve blood flow and are comfortable enough to wear every day. The socks are breathable, moisture-wicking, and odor-resistant. There are over a dozen colors to choose from.
SB SOX Compression Socks, $29/Sale $25 at Amazon
If you hate underwire digging into your skin, these bras have the look of underwire, but none of the pain associated with it. The bras come in a variety of colors (including mica, black, Himalayan salt, umber, and clay), and in several types, including bra tanks. Matching underwear ranges from slip shorts to bikinis to high-waisted thongs.
Defy Bra Tank, $98 at Evelyn & Bobbie
Mothers, celebrate your status with the Mama necklace, available in a 16” delicate chain, 18” delicate chain, or 22” box chain with a slider. There’s also the option to add a pendant. The necklace is handmade and waterproof. It’s available in 14kt gold fill or sterling silver.
Mama Necklace, starting at $41 at Hello Adorn
This gorgeous confetti ring is available as a single ring or a set of two rings. The hammered ring has a 2mm band width and is available in sterling silver or 14kt gold fill. It’s handmade and waterproof.
Confetti Ring, $47 at Hello Adorn
Wellness gear
You don’t have to spend a fortune to get smart glasses. These Bluetooth smart sunglasses have an open-ear speaker and a 10-hour playtime. You can not only listen to music, but also make hands-free calls, and control via your voice assistant. The sunglasses have polarized lenses to protect from UV rays and reduce glare. Clear lenses are another option if you don’t want sunglasses.
WearIQ Bluetooth Smart Sunglasses, $20 at Walmart
For abdominal cramps, or for back, neck, shoulder, or leg pain, this ultra-wide microplush heating pad has 6 settings to provide soothing heat relief. There’s also a moist heat option (you can dampen the heating pad for deeper heat penetration and muscle relief). The cord can be disconnected so the 24” x 24” heating pad can be washed in the machine.
Pure Enrichment PureRelief Ultra-Wide Microplush Heading Pad, $50 at Amazon
Reading for fun can provide enjoyment and relaxation. With this e-Reader, you can read anywhere at home or on the go, and the 16GB of storage will allow you to download and read thousands of books. The e-Reader has a battery life that lasts for weeks, and it is also waterproof, so you can read at the beach or even when soaking in the tub. The frontlight eliminates screen glare, blue light, and eyestrain for a more comfortable experience.
Kobo Clara Colour eReader, $190 at Rakuten
Experience halotherapy with this salt therapy lamp, which has a heated lamp base with a soothing light that warms Himalayan salt rock to boost your mood, ease stress, and help you relax. You can also add essential oils to the diffuser to help deodorize and refresh the room, and the rock lamp has an adjustable timer.
Pure Enrichment PureGlow Crystal Himalayan Salt Rock Lamp & Essential Oil Diffuser, $70 at Amazon
If you like the idea of wearing headphones or earbuds, but don’t really like to be cut off from the world, these open-ear headphones let you stay connected to what’s going on (situational awareness). The headphones have Dolby Audio for lifelike audio when listening to music, watching movies, or gaming. The IP55 water-resistant headphones have 4 noise-cancelling microphones for clear phone calls, and up to a 48-hour playtime before they need to be recharged.
Shokz OpenFit 2+ Open Ear Headphones, $200 at Amazon
While practicing self-care, be sure to think of ways for your kids to experience self-care as well. This delightful chair is made of foam and is super soft for the kiddos. Whether reading, watching TV, or just chilling, they’ll love the comfort level. The chair has a handle that makes it easy to move from room to room, and the slipcover is removable for easy cleaning. There are several color choices, and you can choose to personalize the chair with your child’s name as well.
Delta Children Personalized Cozee Chair, $89 at Amazon
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