Best Gifts for Someone with Bipolar Disorder
If you have a loved one with bipolar disorder, you may wonder what kinds of gifts can help support them. While living with bipolar disorder poses challenges, the right gifts can make daily life a little easier or simply bring joy to someone you care about.
Here are some thoughtful gift ideas to consider for a loved one with bipolar disorder.
Self-Care Items
Self-care is important for managing bipolar disorder. Consider gifts that promote relaxation, destressing, and emotional wellbeing like:
- Weighted blanket
- Essential oil diffuser
- Bath bombs or Epsom salt
- Adult coloring books and pens
- Herbal tea collection
- Yoga mat and accessories
- Meditation cushion and singing bowl
- Picture books of calming nature scenes
Build a self-care gift basket filled with items to aid in relaxation during manic or depressive episodes.
Mood Tracking Supplies
Tracking moods and symptoms regularly helps those with bipolar disorder identify patterns and triggers. Consider gifts like:
- Daily mood chart or journal
- Special pen for journaling
- Dry erase mood tracking board
- Bullet journal and stencils
- Digital mood tracking app subscription
A beautiful journal or app makes mood tracking a little more enjoyable.
Calendars and Planners
Staying organized with daily tasks and events helps provide stability for someone with bipolar. Useful gifts include:
- Wall calendar or whiteboard
- Day planner, notebook or bullet journal
- Digital calendar app subscription
- Monthly or weekly planner
- Planner stickers and accessories
Choose a planner design and layout that fits your loved one's organizational style.
Comfort Items
Having comfort items available during episodes can help someone with bipolar feel grounded. Ideas include:
- Weighted blanket
- Soft robe, pajamas, or loungewear
- Favorite snacks or drink mixes
- Essential oil rollers
- Fidget toys like stress balls
- Picture book of happy memories
A care package filled with comforting snacks, wearables and fidgets makes a thoughtful gift.
Creativity Tools
Expressing creativity in healthy ways benefits those with bipolar disorder. Gift ideas include:
- Art supplies - paints, markers, sketchpads
- DIY craft kits - jewelry making, clay modelling
- Music supplies - guitar, keyboard, music books
- Writing tools - beautiful journals, nice pens
- Photography gear - camera, photo albums
Encourage creative hobbies and skills as a constructive outlet for managing emotions.
Exercise Equipment
Staying active helps relieve bipolar symptoms and mood swings. Useful gifts include:
- Yoga mat and props
- Home exercise equipment - bands, weights, foam roller
- fitness tracker to log activity
- Gym bag and water bottle
- Exercise clothes and shoes
- Gift card for fitness classes
Gear up a loved one with items to help them stay active and fit.
Cozy Clothing
Comfortable clothing that makes someone feel good about themselves provides mood-boosting benefits. Ideas include:
- Soft sweaters, hoodies, or robes
- Fun socks or slippers
- Stylish loungewear pieces
- Cute pajama set
- Favorite graphic t-shirt
- Accessories like scarves or hats
Give cozy apparel gifts to lift spirits on difficult days.
Fun Experiences
Shared experiences make meaningful gifts to get someone engaged and interacting. Ideas include:
- Tickets to a comedy show, play or musical
- Passes to a museum, zoo, aquarium, etc
- Outdoor experiences like hiking, kayaking, horseback riding
- Tickets to a sports event or concert
- Gift card for a fun restaurant
- Supplies for baking, game night, karaoke night
Fun experiences give someone something positive to look forward to.
Puzzles and Games
Puzzles and games stimulate the mind in a relaxing way to help manage moods. Ideas include:
- Jigsaw puzzles
- Sudoku, crosswords, word search books
- Abstract strategy games like chess
- Building sets like Lego
- Card games, board games, trivia games
- Video game console and multiplayer games
Games provide an engrossing activity to find flow, focus, and mindfulness.
Self-Improvement Books
Books that inspire personal growth make uplifting gifts. Topics to consider:
- Self-help books on managing bipolar disorder
- Self-esteem and self-love
- Stress management and mindfulness
- CBT and DBT workbooks
- Personal development and finding purpose
- Workbook journal combo
An inspiring book provides guidance on the journey of self-improvement.
Care Package
Assemble a custom care package filled with encouragement during low points. Include:
- Uplifting notes and letters
- Favorite treats and snacks
- Self-care items like comfy socks, candle, face mask
- Gift cards for food delivery
- Photos, memories, crafts from loved ones
- Inspirational book or pdf printouts
A personalized care package shows someone they are loved and supported.
Gift Ideas to Avoid
While most gifts are well-intended, some types are not recommended for someone with bipolar disorder:
- Thrill-seeking experiences - skydiving, fast cars, scary movies, etc.
- Extreme sports equipment
- Alcohol - can negatively interact with medications
- lottery tickets or other gambling gifts
- Excessive caffeine - coffee, energy drinks
- Overplanning gifts - multiple calendars, planners
Avoid anything that might overstimulate or trigger manic symptoms. Focus on gifts that encourage stability, self-care, and lasting comfort.
Ensuring Your Gift is Well-Received
When selecting gifts for someone with bipolar disorder, keep these tips in mind:
- Talk to them or their loved ones first about appropriate gifts
- Focus on usefulness, comfort, or fun experiences
- Include a personal note - this shows you care
- Respect their condition and don't draw excessive attention to it
- Consider gifts to share experiences together
FAQs
How can you tell if opened tomato juice has gone bad?
Signs of spoiled, opened tomato juice include an off smell, changed texture, mold, and sour taste.
What is the best way to store tomato juice?
Keep unopened tomato juice in a cool, dry pantry. Refrigerate opened tomato juice in a sealed container.
Does tomato juice last longer in the fridge or pantry?
Refrigeration extends the shelf life of opened tomato juice. An unopened container lasts longer in the cool, dry pantry.
Can you freeze homemade tomato juice?
Yes, homemade tomato juice can be frozen for 6-8 months. Remember to leave headspace in the container before freezing.
Why did my tomato juice ferment?
Tomato juice can ferment from exposure to yeasts, warm temperatures, oxygen, and prolonged storage time.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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