Self Care Gift Guide: 20+ items for yourself or a loved one to pamper and de-stress for 2023

There are plenty of fancy electronic devices on the market, but if you want something easy and effective, I can't recommend an ice roller enough. And if you're going to go with an ice roller, this is the one worth your time and money. Pop it in the freezer and it's ready to use. Made with high quality surgical stainless steel, it helps calm inflammation, increase blood circulation and alleviate sore muscles, tension & headaches. This one from Kitsch is less than $20 and gets stellar reviews!

I own an Embr Wave bracelet (read my Embr Wave bracelet review) and I find it utterly genius. Chilly this winter in a drafty office or home? Sleep hot and it causes you to be restless? The Embr Wave bracelet generates a series of pleasant cool or warm sensations on your inner wrist, activating a natural brain pathway that helps you feel better. And as someone who has owned one for a year (I just got the new version seen here) it truly works and is worth it!

There are a lot of bath caddies on the market, but a lot of them suck. What if you have a tiny apartment tub, or a vintage oversized one? Why are the slats horizontal, allowing a Kindle to fall into the bath? Why don't they have flat places to hold a variety of things, instead of specific places thinking everyone bathes wanting the same exact items? And why are they so expensive? This one is bamboo, it's less than $40, it's great quality, and fits nicely on both my 1940's cast iron shower tub and my 2010 more modern tub. Hold your book, your Kindle, your tablet, your wine, your La Croix, whatever makes you happy!

A Wardrobe Oxygen reader shared she bought and loved this makeup mirror and when my mirror kicked the bucket, I bought one for myself. And I have to say it is FANTASTIC! Available in four finishes, this mirror has different levels or brightness and multiple colors of light for any situation. It looks elegant, is well made, and it's less than $70 for a mirror that looks far more expensive. I like the removable magnifier mirror for closeup situations. I have now had this mirror for three years, no issues at all.

This kit from popular and highly-rated brand Olive & June has absolutely everything one would need for an easy and effective manicure and pedicure. Tools, products, and polishes to pamper, paint, and protect hands and feet, this is a fantastic gift for a mani/pedi aficionado or someone looking to take better care of their nails. Customize the kit with the number of polishes included (one, six, or the whole winter collection), choice of formula (gel-like finish or quick dry), and color for a kit that is sure to please from tweens to grown adults!

This is self-care in the true and intimate sense. This vibe is powerful, gender-neutral, and doesn't try to replicate a part of anatomy or a children's toy. If found in your drawer or luggage, it almost looks like some sort of skincare device, especially when in its travel pouch. Called Best-in-Show by The Strategist, maude's soft-touch vibe is made with 100% platinum-grade silicone (RoHs passed / FDA grade) and is a discreet, quiet, easy-to-use, 3-speed vibrator. With a runtime of up to 2.5 hours and charged via USB, it’s water-resistant, phthalate- and latex-free and can go anywhere. Comes with a natural canvas travel pouch perfect for storing the vibe and other essentials. All this for less than $50.

I own this exact mat and it is a game-changer (that is, when I use it). Dealing with stress, back and neck pain from exercise, and sleeping weirdly, I find lying on this for 10 minutes reduces pain and also relaxes me. I also will stand on it and let it do its magic on sore feet; standing on such a mat is also supposed to help with headaches. Many find such mats help with insomnia, fibromyalgia, sciatica, and more. Acupressure mats are essential all the same - a thin fabric-covered pad of the same general size with around the same number and height of plastic pressure spikes so if this one isn't the color you like, Amazon will be sure to share other options as you scroll the product page!

I own two pairs of Ettitude sheets and they are BEYOND. Made with 100% organic and sustainable bamboo, these sheets are silky soft, breathable, and cooling (great for warm sleepers like me). They wash up beautifully and don't wrinkle. They are truly decadent while also being comfortable; it's a treat to go to sleep or just spend a bit of time away from the world in bed with a good book. There are 12 colors and prints to choose from and a few are on sale!

This nylon washcloth which costs less than $10 has been by far the best body care purchase I have ever made. It's way more scrubby than a body pouf or washcloth, doesn't harbor mildew, exfoliates beautifully without scratching or damaging skin. I use it with body wash and it makes my skin gleam, better absorb lotion, and I think it helps with allover skin tone and texture.

Wish you could have a sauna on your budget and in the size of your current home? This infrared sauna blanket from Higher Dose is for you. Infrared saunas claim to boost immunity, increase blood flow and circulation, and improve mood by increasing endorphins and serotonin through increasing the body's thermal energy. It also increases your heart rate, and can give your body the experience of a workout while watching your favorite Netflix series, reading a good book, or meditating. Taking up no more space than your spare blanket, this can be used on your bed, couch, or floor and is also known to help improve sleep.

This may look like a weird gift but hear me out. Have you ever gone to a chiropractor or physical therapist and before your session they hook you up to a machine with electrodes that send little pulses to your trouble area to relax the muscles? Well this is exactly the same thing, but the machine is smaller than a smartphone! And I know this specific machine is great because I own the same exact one, bought it two years ago and it's still doing great! We did buy new pads this summer, but they're cheap and easy to find on Amazon.

With the ability to add up to four pads and control the pulse strength and style, this machine keeps a charge for weeks and can easily be added to one's back, joints, feet, most anywhere for pain relief and muscle relaxation while you're watching TV or reading a book. It has a timer so it won't go too long, and you can easily adjust the pressure while wearing it. The pads last for months, the machine is easy to use, and it's a great alternative to traditional pain relievers all for less than $40.

A weekend at Retreat in the Pines is a gift for the woman who deserves to take some time for herself, wants to get away, or wants to focus on her wellness. With all-inclusive weekends priced at $599 - $799, gift cards are available in any amount so she can plan the weekend and/or experience that best suits her.

Retreat in the Pines is a women’s retreat center located outside of Dallas, Texas designed to cultivate community, connection, and mind-body healing in a serene, inclusive sanctuary. This intimate retreat offers approachable wellness and yoga retreats for every woman, regardless of her age, background, fitness ability, or income. With an inclusive mission to provide respect and support among all its visitors, Retreat in the Pines has become a safe haven where women can be themselves without judgment.  

Many times before I have written about the benefits of dry brushing. It is one of the simplest and lowest-cost ways to perform self-care. Light brushing over dry skin can increase circulation, reduce the appearance of cellulite, prevent K.P., help moisturize absorb better, provide an even canvas for self tanners, and much more. I love the morning ritual of dry brushing, it wakes me up and feels so good. I own this same dry brush from ELEMIS and find the quality stellar, the bristles the right density and firmness, and the long handle helpful for getting my back and other body parts.

My husband bought into the weighted blanket hype several years ago and claimed to have the best sleep of his life with it. I tried his blanket for a nap and got so hot but I loved the feel of the weight on me. So when I found the Tree Napper by Bearaby I was thrilled. Made from natural eucalyptus fibers, this silky-soft and sustainable cooling weighted blanket is perfect for hot sleepers. The weight on your body from blankets like this stimulates the production of serotonin (the happy hormone), reduces cortisol (the stress hormone), and increases melatonin, which helps you fall (and stay) asleep. Machine washable and dryable (FYI it takes me two rounds in my dryer or one round and some time outside on a nice day to get it 100% dry), this has been a favorite for me whether it's sleep soundly or having an uber cozy and chill afternoon on the couch.

There are many e-readers on the market; the one I have is the Kindle Paperwhite, and it is one of my most beloved items. It can hold so many books, is easy to read in bright sun and late at night without waking the person sleeping next to me, the battery lasts forever, and it's durable. I have an older generation (here is my original Kindle Paperwhite review), but seriously... I thought I left my Kindle on a business trip and, a year later, found it in the glove compartment of my car. It was there through below-freezing and over 100-degree temps, plugged in to be charged, and continued to work just as well with just as long-lasting of a battery. I just took it on vacation over Thanksgiving! The new generations are waterproof, making reading in the bath or a pool that much more relaxing.

Crafted from pure silk inside and out as recommended by dermatologists, plastic surgeons, hairdressers, and beauty experts alike, each elevates beauty sleep to a whole new level. The pure-silk contour sleep mask is specifically designed with delicate eyelash extensions in mind, shaped to sit away from your eyelids and allow additional space for your eyelashes to sit while you get your beauty sleep. The neck pillow has a removable pillowcase made with the same silk and the set comes in a travel bag that is ready for some tissue paper and a bow!

When I worked in Corporate America, I had a windowless office that someone thought would be a good idea to be painted brown. With super high ceilings having super strong fluorescent lights, the room was either a cave or causing a migraine. I did a lot to make that space comfortable - multiple floor and desk lamps, art on the walls, but the best thing I got was a HappyLight. The perfect size to put on your desk next to your laptop, this light made my body feel happy like it would outside on a beautiful sunny day. Therapy lamps claim to boost energy, improve mood, regulate sleep, and enhance your focus and I have found just that. I regularly place my HappyLight next to me while working in my bedroom or at the office.

You're not alone if this was a year where you felt stuck or wrong or held back or lost. More than once in my life I have felt that way and used this book by Julia Cameron to help me unlock my creativity and find myself. If that sounds like a lot of woo, it is, but so is self-care. If you have wanted to be more creative or reinvigorate your artistic side, this is a wonderful book to help you do so. Gift this with a fabulous pen and a journal to a loved one for an incredibly thoughtful gift for a new year.

This deep conditioning hair mask from BRIOGEO is a clinically proven weekly treatment that strengthens damaged hair and helps prevent future damage. Formulated with rosehip oil, B vitamins, and algae extract, this antioxidant-rich formula restores essential moisture and hydration to dry, brittle, colored, or over-processed hair. Founded by Nancy Twine, Briogeo makes hair products that are naturally derived, formulated 6-Free™, and have a much-deserved cult following and is a four-time Allure Best of Beauty winner.

Thanksgiving weekend, I had a night where I drank a little too much. My sister put the "rescue" patch from this kit on my wrist and I do think it helped me recover faster. Get in sync with The Essentials Set from The Good Patch, a plant-powered wearable wellness patch set for whatever the week throws your way. Set includes four B12 Awake patches, four Dream patches, and four Rescue patches

Simply by holding it in your hand, the Chill Pill quickly relieves stress and improves your ability to fall asleep faster without drugs or supplements. The Chill Pill can be customized to fit one's personal needs. Simply adjust the frequency settings to calm yourself in any situation.

While this is advertised for sleep, many find it also helpful for dealing with anxiety, migraines, and stressful situations like plane travel.

In 2018, my husband got a WHOOP tracker and got one for me as well. I wasn't big on it; I am not an athlete and didn't see the value for me. But in 2023 I am still wearing my WHOOP and am a big fan. Unlike many trackers that only track steps, fitness, miles, heart rate... WHOOP focuses on strain and recovery. WHOOP knows strain isn't just a run, but also a stressful client meeting, a fight with your partner, a day of travel. And recovery means not just how many hours slept but the quality of that sleep, as well as meditation, naps, and recovery days. It helps you focus not just on a workout, but finding balance and reducing strain and stress for optimal health.

Worn by major athletes like Michael Phelps, LeBron James, and Patrick Mahomes as well as several Peloton instructors and yours truly, this is a simple band, screen-free, that can charge while you're wearing it, keeps a charge for about four days, can be worn in the pool, the ocean, and the hot tub, and you can pick bands to go with most any outfit.

You know how you see something all over social media and it makes you skeptical? Well, I bought my husband a Manta sleep mask a year before I saw it all over social and I have to say the ads are true. This is a fantastic sleep mask for both comfort and for blocking out all light. It stays in place as you shift while sleeping, keeping absolutely all light out. And with the adjustable eye cups, you can get a custom fit without any eye pressure (great for those who have lash extensions and lash lifts!). It's breathable, comfortable, and years later a favorite for my husband at home and on flights and travel. I am tempted to get one for myself!