Are you having trouble holiday shopping for one of the millions of Americans living with chronic pain? While there is no shortage of pain management options on the market right now, finding the perfect gift for that special person, or even yourself, can feel like a daunting task. And let’s be real—the holiday season should feel nothing less than joyful. To eliminate some of the stress and overwhelm that comes with this time of year, Pain Resource has complied a list of holiday gift ideas for you to consider. Check out our suggestions below.
Holiday Gift Ideas for Creating Better Sleep
Sleep and pain are unquestionably linked as research shows better sleep alleviates chronic pain, making prioritizing sleep a key component to managing symptoms. Holiday gift ideas to promote better sleep include:
- Infrared red light therapy device: These devices help muscle tissue, skin, and other parts of the body heal. Infrared red light works by exposing the affected parts of the body to low levels of near-infrared light, encouraging tissue repair. It’s also proven to have anti-inflammatory effects and can stimulate melatonin production, the hormone that helps you sleep. Infrared red light therapy devices are an excellent holiday gift idea for those with chronic conditions such as joint pain or rheumatoid arthritis.
- Black-out curtains: These curtains are designed to keep away bright light that may worsen migraines or headaches that cause sleep disturbances.
- Supportive pillows: Reading pillows, body pillows, bed wedges, and firm cervical pillows can help keep your body in a comfortable position. They can also help you avoid bed sores and encourage better sleep.
- Blue light glasses: The use of blue light-emitting electronic devices like cellphones and laptops before bedtime may contribute to or worsen sleep problems. Give your eyes a break from the visual strain associated with blue light with glasses designed to block blue light. Reducing your exposure to blue light can also curb the photosensitivity that can accompany migraines.
Holiday Gift Ideas to Cope With Pain
Living with chronic pain means not all your days will be A+ ones. To get you through the times when your pain is too much, here are some holiday gift ideas to help you cope:
- Heating pad: Using a heating pad is an excellent way to practice heat therapy, which works by dilating blood vessels and increasing blood flow in the body. Using heat to treat pain joint stiffness can also increase range of motion by facilitating the stretching and loosening of tight muscles.
- Compression clothing: Clothing items like compression gloves and socks can ease swelling and pain and help with chronic conditions associated with poor blood circulation.
- Acupressure products: For a spiky way to relieve your pain, a holiday gift idea to consider is acupressure products like mats or socks. These are designed to help increase blood flow and circulation, as well as encourage the release of endorphins which help reduce pain and evoke a sense of calm and relaxation. These products are also a great way to try acupressure without having to commit to real needles.
- Neck braces, wrist braces, or other aids: This holiday gift idea is for those who could use more support.
Holiday Gift Ideas for Promoting Relaxation
For those struggling with chronic pain, finding refuge in relaxation is paramount to keeping the pain at bay. It’s also a great way to calm the mind, reduce stress, relax muscles, and elevate one’s sense of well-being. Here are some holiday gift ideas designed to do just this:
- Biofeedback meditation devices: Research shows that practicing meditation can improve pain and fend off feelings of depression. But you don’t have to sit cross-legged to receive the benefits. Rather than traditional meditation, choose a biofeedback meditation device like the Muse headband, which provides real-time brainwave feedback (EEG) that teaches you how to focus more effectively.
- Percussion massagers: Percussion massagers, or massage guns, are handheld devices that use vibration and deep oscillation to massage irritated muscles. Consider this holiday gift idea if you’re looking for a massage that penetrates deep into the muscle tissue, loosens knots, and promotes relaxation.
- Aromatherapy diffusers: Aromatherapy is believed to reduce pain, relieve anxiety and depression, and increase the overall sense of well-being. Bring calming scents of eucalyptus or lavender into your home with well-chosen essential oils and aromatherapy diffusers.
- Light therapy box: This device mimics outdoor light, beaming rays that can help combat Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). It’s thought that this light may induce a chemical change in the brain that lifts mood, which can be beneficial during the holiday season as days are shorter.
What Are Your Holiday Gift Ideas for Chronic Pain?
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