Remember singing “All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth.” When your gaping smile identifies you, this song makes a lot of sense. We all want Christmas presents that are helpful, individual and personal. If you are trying to buy useful gifts for someone with Lyme disease, ask them what they need and how to help. The best presents for someone sick with Lyme are the simple ones that convey love, support, and understanding. Here are some of my wishes for practical gifts when I was my sickest.
Warmth,
When Lyme raged, I was always cold; my peripheral circulation was shot-making my hands and feet ice blocks. I craved warmth. Preparation is so necessary to go out in the cold when you have Lyme. Here are my favorite gifts for someone with Lyme to warm things up.
Super socks
In the battle to keep my feet warm, I investigated socks. Socks are a field of study, and if you have the cash, you can get almost anything. Battery heated socks may make sense for someone who loves outdoor playing in winter, but battles with cold feet due to Lyme. I wore merino wool socks for every day all year long for a couple of years.
Slippers
At my sickest, my feet were so cold, I always had chilblains. The doctors couldn’t understand why they never healed. I only went barefoot in the shower or tub. Every day I wore two pairs of merino wool socks and boots to go out and two pairs of socks and slippers to sleep.
Hot Water Bottle or Heating pad
A hot water bottle was often my bed companion. This tool does double duty to keep your feet warm and ease assorted aches and pains. Now they come with knitted sweaters so that it feels better against your skin. Heating pads are great, but I am sensitive to electromagnetic radiation and not willing to trade off extra energy and possible sleep disruption for warmth.
IR sauna
Granted, this is an expensive present, but it is a gift worth giving. Regular Sauna can help you detox and warm you up. At my sickest, I used a sauna daily and it made sense to have one in our home. If you don’t know if you will use a sauna or the price tag is too high, there are local places to go to try this warming experience.
Growler
I am not talking about a big beer here. It is helpful to stay warm and detox by drinking warm water all day. A 64 ounce, doubled walled, stainless steel, vacuum insulated growler can help you do this. The good ones keep water hot for 12 + hours so you can fill it up in the morning and sip warm water all day long.
Pain Relief And Healing Services Great Gifts For Someone With Lyme
Pain is a reality with Lyme; the body is trying to let you know it needs help. It is essential to take action, address discomfort, and keep agony from being your new normal. While drugs can help diminish pain so can many healing services without any side effects or added toxins. Healing treatments are gifts for someone with Lyme that leverage recovery.
Reiki
Reiki works. It can relieve stress and support the body’s own ability to heal. You leave a session relaxed and connected to yourself as a person not just a patient. Find a Reiki master trainer near you.
X-Tract
Toxic build-up and lymph stagnation are common problems for someone sick with Lyme disease. X-tract is a technique using essential oils to move lymph and support the body’s natural ability to eliminate toxic build-up.
Massage
Massage eases discomfort, releases muscle tension, supports lymph flow and helps the body get into a relaxed and healing state. Regular massage can help you move more to regain strength.
Time and Support
The final category of gifts for someone with Lyme comes under love and support. My husband and friends helped me heal in ways I will appreciate forever. When I felt up to it, they took me out to visit friends and to healing places like the ocean and the forest. There are many ways you can help a friend or family member with Lyme disease. Simple things that can lift the load of chronic illness and support recovery. Here are a few.
- Rent a movie or concert and go over. Bring snacks they can eat.
- Offer to clean the house, or pay someone to.
- Cook a low inflammation meal
- Help balance their checkbook or organize medications
- Give them a ride to treatment
- Sit and sip tea.
Blessings & Healing to you and your family this Holiday season.
The purpose of this article is to share and educate on Lyme disease recovery strategies. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional medical care, treatment, or advice. All the material here is for information purposes only. Always share strategy and work with your health care team.