If there are people you love that are in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction, you should think about what might help them when shopping for gifts. Buying a nice recovery-related gift will show that you are thinking of them and are supportive in their recovery. Because you care, here are some gift ideas for people in recovery from Graceful Story.
- A yoga or gym membership: Science has shown that those in addiction recovery can benefit from regular exercise, so a gym membership could help maintain sobriety. It’s a good idea to make it a trial membership, though, just in case it’s not a good fit. Not everyone feels comfortable at every fitness center. Yoga can help by encouraging mediation and providing a way to calm the mind when stressful thoughts pop up. If your friend uses a smartwatch to track his or her fitness routine, you can also pick up a watch band that showcases their style.
- Coloring books and pencils: Adult coloring books are everywhere, and for good reason—they are very calming and meditative. Have you ever sat down and colored with a child? When you get into it, all your worries melt away. Coloring is a good way to focus your anxiety on the page, while using your artistic brain to choose colors and try to stay in the lines. You can buy these coloring books at any craft store.
- Meal delivery service: You can’t go anywhere without hearing about meal kits these days, so why not give it a try? The ingredients come to your door with very clear instructions on how to cook them, so you can create gourmet, organic meals in your own home. Plus, it saves you the time and stress of grocery shopping and trying to figure out what to serve—and one less stressor could be crucial when someone is trying to stay clean and sober. It’s all there and ready for you. Who doesn’t love a warm, delicious meal during the cold winter months?
- Flowers and fruit: A beautiful bouquet of flowers is a welcome gift to anyone. Pairing flowers with delicious dipped fruit makes it even better. Find your friend a combination they’ll love from FruitFlowers.com.
- Spa visit: Spending the day at the spa, or even just an hour or two getting a massage or pedicure, is a great way to relieve stress, which can be a trigger for those in recovery. Give a gift card as a present and make sure to include the tip.
- Books: Knowing what your body is going through can be a great way for an addict to understand his or her symptoms. Books about recovery can help with that. There also are many memoirs on the market that discuss addiction and its hold on people, but that also show the happy endings and how the authors broke through that haze of drugs and alcohol. These books are good reads, even for those who aren’t in recovery.
- A journal: There are many options on the market for journals, so the possibilities abound. Journaling can help you get focused on your life, struggles, and needs. Writing about difficult things can help people get a handle on them, understanding the past and why they don’t want to go back there. Plus, with a journal, your gift recipient is more likely to write that bestselling memoir.
Take your friend out for regular coffee, go out to dinner, take a leisurely walk, go to the movies, or just hang out and watch TV. People in recovery need to know that they are loved, and you being there will show them as much. Be available to talk whenever it’s needed, and be ready to take phone calls at any time. Being a reliable friend might be the best gift of all.
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