The holidays are my favorite time of year. I love the traditions, time with family, and the spirit of giving.

I love picking out gifts for my family and friends to remind them of just how special they are. Giving makes you feel amazing – it’s called a helper’s high, and it floods both the sender and receiver with happy hormones.

For the third year, we are excited to share our Resilience Gift Guide. Each of this year’s gifts are handpicked by me and my team to help reduce stress, make you laugh, improve well-being, and bring joy.

Here are a few of our favorite resilience-building gift ideas:

Subscription to Calm, Headspace, or Waking Up: Make mindfulness part of your daily routine with tension-releasing meditations, breath-work, focus music playlists, and more!

Donation to Your Favorite Charity (Here’s Mine): As the parent of a severely mental ill child, the resources and training I’ve received through NAMI have been my lifeline. A portion of all my book proceeds go to NAMI Central Texas. You can hear more about my story in my TEDxTalk. When you make a donation in someone’s honor, the act of donating is good for your mental health. Studies show that any act of altruism — a selfless act for others — is connected to positive physical and mental effects. According to the Cleveland Clinic, this includes lower blood pressure, increased self-esteem, less incidence of depression, lower stress levels, and even longer life and greater happiness.

Plant Subscription Box: Plants are good for you, so why not enjoy them in style? Research shows that simply having a plant in your home or office can dramatically help reduce anxiety. Plants have the unique ability to help us reset our nervous system, getting out of stress mode and back into a place of relaxation. This adorable planter is a great reminder that sometimes, silence really is golden. Plants also produce oxygen which helps with concentration and overall well-being.

Buddah Board: Doodling, drawing, and creativity are big resilience boosters. It gives your brain time to decompress. This self-erasing art board is a great way to practice self-care, and it’s also an important reminder that nothing is permanent. Let that sh*t go!

Pause Necklace: It’s okay to have days where you don’t feel “okay”. Give yourself grace. Remember to pause. Remember to breathe. On another note: Let’s eliminate the stigma together, let’s raise awareness and lift each other up.

Tribe Friendship Necklace: Humans are social creatures with emotional needs for relationships and positive connections to others. I am so grateful for my tribe. I have some amazing friends, and I’m not sure how I would have survived this far without them. Different friends ebb and flow through the course of your life, but if you are lucky enough, you will have a lifelong tribe who loves you to your core.

Bala Bangles: These functional fitness accessories will change the way you move. As someone who has battled depression most of my life, I can tell you that changing my lifestyle changed my mood. Do the best you can to exercise, even if it is just a few minutes a day. Our mind and body are the only instruments we have. We must keep them sharp.

Anxiety Is My Cardio Socks: You are bigger than what is making you anxious, but just in case you’re having an off day and need to not take yourself so seriously, these socks are a fun way to call out your anxiety. Gift this to a friend who could use a laugh.

Self-Care Bucket List: These cards will challenge you to invest more in your well-being and mental rest. Self-care is not selfish. It is a requirement for resilience.

Personalized Puzzle: We all need a reminder that we are cared for and loved. Share this puzzle with the special people in your life.

Oprah’s Favorite Pajamas: This luxurious loungewear will make you feel like you’re wearing a cloud. Snuggle in style.

Therapy Lamp (mimics sun and helps with anxiety and depression) – Sunlight is an essential ingredient for a healthy lifestyle, but many of us don’t get the amount of daylight we need to feel its benefits. This light therapy lamp is customizable, giving you an experience as unique as you. Use it in your home, office, or while traveling so you can always feel your best, no matter where you are.

Meal Box Subscription: Jay and I use HelloFresh almost every single week. We love it! Grocery shopping, dicing, and measuring ingredients for a meal can be time-consuming and inconvenient, especially if you have a hectic work schedule. By delivering a loved one a fresh meal it saves them time by eliminating the lengthy preparation process.

Bird Therapy: Nature has the incredible ability to restore well-being and help us build resilience. Just add bird food and turn your outdoors into a live wonderland.

Bidet: Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it! I have this one and I love it!

Yoga With Adriene:
I started subscribing to Adriene’s YouTube Channel during the pandemic. This 30 Days of Yoga is free and would be a great gift to give yourself! Designed for whole body mental health, this 30 Day Journey is yoga for the here and now.

Customized Pet Gifts: If you were to count the number of pictures I have of my dogs, I’d be a bit embarrassed. People are crazy about their pets, and these pet portraits make the perfect git. And did you know that dogs can actually help us build resilience?

Adult Coloring Book: I look for humor wherever I can find it. Don’t underestimate the power of a belly laugh and a sense of humor. In addition to letting your brain and nervous system know you are safe, laughing releases feel-good hormones, lowers blood pressure, and even extends your life!

Mind Over Moment Book and Journal: And last but not least! My newest book Mind Over Moment: Harness the Power of Resilience and the companion journal are packed full of practical tools, strategies, inspiration, and brain-based techniques challenging you to get out of your comfort zone, crush self-limiting beliefs, and break through barriers keeping you stuck to create the life you truly deserve. Learn to use mindfulness to take control of the chaos.

Do you have cool gift ideas? I’d love to know what they are! While you’re shopping, don’t forget to get a couple gifts for yourself. You are your most important resource, so don’t forget to show yourself some love!

Happy gifting!