Self-care has sprouted in social media especially during these trying times. Everyone's doing it to some degree, but an internet craze isn't just a trend if it's all about long-term wellbeing. Taking care of one's self isn't a fad, it's a must.

Yes, we've done a little self-care treat here and there. But we all have that one friend who's borderline obsessed with all kinds of pampering. They might already have all of the gifts below. Although it's still worth a try to surprise them with one of these self-care essentials.

By the end of the list, you'll probably add-to-cart one for yourself, too!


1.   Spa Gift Basket


When we say 'pamper', a luxurious spa typically comes to mind. But it doesn't have to put a hole in your pocket. A spa gift basket has everything your recipient needs for a relaxing self-care moment. From foot soaks to calming baths and gourmet treats to soothing salves - name it - and a spa gift basket got you covered.

This is a nice gift to send as is or join in for an intimate catch-up. Because sometimes, self-care involves surrounding yourself with the ones you love.


2.   Personalized Vitamins


A couple of Google searches and you will arrive at a list of supplements that are supposed to be good for your specific body type. Well, they could be. But some vitamins tend to cancel each other out.

For example, most multivitamins have vitamin C and calcium, but calcium attaches to minerals like iron, zinc, and copper, thus reduces their absorption. While vitamin C absorbs iron and folic acid much faster.

So, gifting them with a personalized vitamin pack will save them research time and beat their decision fatigue.


3.   #SelfCare App Subscription


This app is dubbed as an AI friend that offers different kinds of relaxation and awareness practices. It starts with soothing music and rain, then it will present a room full of self-care tools that you can tap to start using.

It's designed to be your own hideaway for you to breathe, dream, meditate, be mindful, write your thoughts, and give thanks - sounds like sweet music to a self-love practitioner's ears.


4.   Super-Plush Robe


If there's an official uniform for self-care, it would be a super-plush robe. Our pamper-loving friends love the feel of warmth and coziness all throughout the day. If they can wear this in the office, they will.

But with our busy lives, self-care is more like a scheduled ritual. It's easy to think that pamper time is more accessible since many of us had started working from home, but some blur the lines between work and home and are unable to fully relax. This is the perfect gift for them.


5.   Energizing Diffuser Set


Scents can calm or energize the system. If your recipient is always drained by work and all that's happening around the world, this type of diffuser set with essential oils to recharge them is what they need.

Whenever they feel tired, exhausted, or out of it, they can simply turn this on to feel instantly stimulated in a healthy way.


6.   Loose Tea Starter Set


It's the ultimate gift for the tea-lover in your life. It's also a nice treat for someone who had just switched from coffee to tea. With a variety of loose-leaf blends to try, they can pick which one best invigorates them.

Tea has antioxidants that help in weight loss and reduce the risk of heart disease. But the soothing effect is instantly felt as you take a sip from a warm cup of tea.


 7.  Portable Meditation Cushion


A lot of meditation beginners say they couldn't focus because they aren't able to stay seated for a long time. Some can't relax their body, while others have backaches. If this is your friend, there is a cushion specifically designed for sitting during meditation.

It's comfortable enough to support them for a couple of minutes to hours depending on how long their practice is.


8.   2020 Passion Planner


We're more than halfway through the year, so a 2020 planner might not be the right kind of journal you can gift to your friend. But if your recipient hasn't started any form of expressing their thoughts, then it's never too late and a planner is still valid.

More than a to-do list, a passion planner contains a road map to help them plan their big goals for the rest of the year. There's also an end-of-month reflection exercise, motivational quotes, and gratitude corner.

Because aside from the physical body which we should take care of every day, our mind and heart need a little self-care, too. By getting a good grip on the origin and route of our thoughts, we decide smarter. And by easing into our emotions, we won't be affected by happenings as much.

Gift-giving is also a form of self-care. Notice how making other people happy makes you feel - that is self-love being mirrored by you.