chronic illness gift guide
welcome to our chronic illness gift guide! the only gifts we will make any money off of are the products we ourselves are selling (the notion dashboards). the rest are just recommendations of things we have found helpful in our own lives!
gifts for chronically ill freelancers:
gentle strategy notion dashboard ($35)
elevator pitch: to help you learn to approach your content strategy with a gentle, shame free method, which honors your human capacity. designed by chronically ill business owners for chronically ill business owners.
elevator pitch: because some days working from the couch or bed is the only option and bad posture just makes pain worse.
gifts for comfort & relief:
ayrloom thc restore balm ($60)
elevator pitch: a classic combination of lavender, rosemary and eucalyptus, this scent profile was formulated with r&r in mind. a strong pain relieving topical, particularly helpful for muscle aches + stiffness.
sombra arthritis heating gel ($25)
elevator pitch: Sombra® Warm Pain Relief is recommend prior to exercise to expedite your warming up process and minimize injuries. It is also great for chronic conditions and basic aches and pains, the gel, which has a refreshing orange-citrus aroma to it, is a perfect complement to your practice.
specialty heating pads
elevator pitch: where is their persistent pain? i have a heating pad for the “clothes hanger” area (neck and shoulders) as well as one that functions as a wrist wrap [$47] (but can also be wrapped around a shoulder or knee, etc.) because those are areas i need heat on daily. i’ve also used a heated eye mask for migraine relief (but have yet to find one that lasts longer than a few months!) consider getting heat therapy aids for the areas of chronic pain specifically, rather than a standard rectangle heating pad.
elevator pitch: A warm supportive hug for your lower back. By harnessing the power of body heat and compression Jelliebend helps to naturally relieve lower back pain and enhance recovery. (like a pair of abs you can slip on!)
elevator pitch: The gentle warmth and compression helps to naturally soothe and stabilize your wrists without restricting movement. (good support without the stiffness/discomfort of a brace)
elevator pitch: i used to get acupuncture treatments weekly for migraine symptom management, and while this is not as personalized it is a nice cost effective option for when that treatment is unattainable. it also helps relieve stiffness and pressure from working at a desk or computer all day!
elevator pitch:
a screenshot of a message that reads “can u tell the theracane i miss it” with the HaHa reaction, followed shortly by a message that reads “i’m deadass”
elevator pitch: With the adjustable knobs, the Shiatsu Neck Massager can be easily switched between a four-point gentle Shiatsu massage and a two-point deep tissue massage. In the times where you need more power and control in your massage, simply pull the knobs, twist, and release.
best paired with Sombra warming gel or Ayrloom TCH balm.
elevator pitch: to help with sensory overload, or block out loud noises for those with sound sensitivity!
gifts for comfort at home:
elevator pitch: to keep pain relieving essentials, dependable foods and snacks, and entertainment nearby for flare days.
elevator pitch: well weighted to help relieve anxiety, help falling asleep, open weave which helps breathability (less sweat 😅) and available in colors other than depression brown.
elevator pitch: one of the reasons i don’t enjoy cooking is because it’s hard for me to stand that long without really paying for it later. a kitchen stool allows the possibility of spending more intentional time preparing food, without over extering myself for something basic.
elevator pitch: because showering can be extremely taxing for chronically ill folks! having a shower stool can help reduce the amount of energy used for a basic function like showering, and reserve those “spoons” for something else.
ever asked your chronically ill friend what they need and they responded, “a new colon!”? well, now you can deliver.
gifts for book lovers:
rest is resistance by tricia hersey ($26)
the “back cover”: “In Rest Is Resistance, Tricia Hersey, aka the Nap Bishop, casts an illuminating light on our troubled relationship with rest and how to imagine and dream our way to a future where rest is exalted. Our worth does not reside in how much we produce, especially not for a system that exploits and dehumanizes us. Rest, in its simplest form, becomes an act of resistance and a reclaiming of power because it asserts our most basic humanity. We are enough. The systems cannot have us.”
how to do nothing: resisting the attention economy by jenny odell ($18)
the “back cover”: “Far from the simple anti-technology screed, or the back-to-nature meditation we read so often, How to do Nothing is an action plan for thinking outside of capitalist narratives of efficiency and techno-determinism. Provocative, timely, and utterly persuasive, this book will change how you see your place in our world.”
how to keep house while drowning ($20)
the “back cover”: “If you're struggling to stay on top of your to-do list, you probably have a good reason: anxiety, fatigue, depression, ADHD, or lack of support. For therapist KC Davis, the birth of her second child triggered a stress-mess cycle. The more behind she felt, the less motivated she was to start. She didn't fold a single piece of laundry for seven months. One life-changing realization restored her sanity--and the functionality of her home: You don't work for your home; your home works for you.”
care work: dreaming disability justice by leah lakshmi piepzna-samarasinha ($19)
the “back cover”: “Care Work is a mapping of access as radical love, a celebration of the work that sick and disabled queer/people of color are doing to find each other and to build power and community, and a tool kit for everyone who wants to build radically resilient, sustainable communities of liberation where no one is left behind. Powerful and passionate, Care Work is a crucial and necessary call to arms.”
gifts for gentle daily rituals:
chronic illness notion dashboard ($15)
elevator pitch: for an all in one hub to help track symptoms, pain levels, go-to aids, meals, appointments and more. designed by chronically ill folks for chronically ill folks.
elevator pitch: “Readers will discover 50 inspiring cards, each with an empowering affirmation and a simple practice to encourage rest, care, and imagination. Rooted in social justice and imbued with spirituality, these cards offer short, accessible practices designed to uplift anyone suffering from the toxic effects of grind culture.”
elevator pitch: The “me + me” deck is made for you to reconnect with you. Each card offers you a positive affirmation, a reminder, and a practice challenge. Every card is intended to encourage self love, emotional awareness, empathy, and self growth.
subscription gifts:
visible arm band ($90 armband + first month; then $20/month)
elevator pitch: on the pricier side, but has been incredibly helpful in terms of figuring out my pacing and typical energy/ability on any given day! Comes with a polar heart rate arm band, and functions as a monthly subscription.
what to cook when you don’t feel like cooking ($5-$50)
elevator pitch: for those who struggle thinking of anything to eat, and don’t have the energy or desire to spend a long time in the kitchen.
