Happy New Year, friends! I have put together a little self-care gift guide for you just in case you have some gift cards burning a hole in your pocket.

MY TRIED AND TRUE SELF-CARE GIFTS

Dawn simulating alarm clock. It wakes you up gradually like the sun coming up. It puts you to sleep gradually like the sun going down. This thing has made me realize how much light rules my life and how much I hate waking up to loud noises in the dark. If you want to become a morning person and actually feel good when you wake up, try this. I can’t think of a single item that has changed my life more.

Sleep mask + ear plugs – Sleep is the number one predictor of sanity in my life, so I take it pretty seriously and do what it takes to make sure I get some good sleep. Friends mock my sensory deprivation tank, but to them I say, zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

 White noise machine. We got one a few years ago for our kid and now I can’t sleep without one. Counter intuitive to make your sleep environment noisy, but it totally works! The ear plugs cancel the unpredictable noises and the white noise creates predictability. Have I ever told you about my sleep struggles? Well, this combo has helped me get the most restful sleep of my life. You can also download a white noise app on your phone.

Headspace meditation subscription. Regular meditation helps keep my head from talking to me while I am trying to sleep. This is one of the best investments I’ve ever made in my health.

Yoga bolster + eye pillow. My body craves rest and these tools help me give myself what I actually need. My home yoga practice really took off when I got the right props to help me. If I had to choose from all my props, I’d choose these over all else.

NEW SELF-CARE GIFTS FOR 2016

FitBit Charger HR. I might be the biggest data dork in the world. I am so excited to keep track of my sleep and my steps I can hardly stand it. Now if only I could get used to wearing it. I feel like a cat with a collar.

Hot Girls Pearls. Stasia (my personal stylist and favorite Vermont-ian) told me about these when we worked together last year. My big dilemma is I am made of fire and where I live feels like the surface of the sun 8 months a year which leaves me feeling homicidal instead of adorable – enter cooling pearls. I can’t wait to try them out!

Light Therapy Box. If the Pacific Northwest taught me one thing, it is I am a delicate flower when it comes to light. Turns out I am a bit of a sunflower and without a constant source of light, I get a bit of the depressions. A bunch of friends have been using them with great success.

Have you tried any of these? What are your favorite self-care gifts?

I look forward to seeing you soon!

xo,

Tami

PS: Interested in my new series Intro to Happiness? Join us at It’s All Yoga Mondays in January (under the WORKSHOPS tab).

Wanna join the Intro to Happiness party, but sadly live outside the Sacramento area? Send me an email – tami underscore hackbarth at hotmail and I will add you to the interest list. If enough people raise their out-of-town-hands I will put together a class online. AND IT WILL ROCK!