Getting Personal

                Give life a lift with gifts that set the mind adrift - experience days
            
                The UK doesn't publish as many studies on stress as the US and a study over there a few years ago showed that 2 in 3 Americans have considered getting help to cope with stress. Help in this context, could be anything from taking the day off work, chatting with a therapist or counsellor, taking herbal supplements or even reading a self-help book. There's a similar problem here too, with increasing stress levels being studied in the UK.

Sometimes, it can come as a huge comfort to know that your friends have noticed you're a bit stressed out and want to help. That's why when you're thinking of getting other people gifts, you should consider ways to set their mind at ease and relax them.

Taking it Easy

We all have those days that are tough on our minds as well as our bodies and all benefit from the occasional morning in bed or long soak in the bath. However, did you know that there are special experience days which you can give to loved ones such as spa days and makeovers? Experience Days can really help to rejuvenate the mind and body. It's a great way to help your loved ones to feel refreshed.

Sometimes our stress is work related and other times it's to do with family commitments and relationships. Over half of the people surveyed in the US studies said stress has a big affect their everyday lives. There are lots of things we could blame for this; we could say that life has become faster paced, for example.

Unfortunately, it really has. More people are now doing paid (and unpaid) over time than they did in earlier eras. As work days get longer, we're subjected to more occupational stress than previous generations.

What's more, many doctors say that sleep is important in relieving stress but increasing numbers of us are burning the candle at both ends. We are cutting back the hours of sleep which we get each night and this is another factor making us less able to relax, remain calm and feel focused. It's also another reason to consider getting your friends and family experience days such as pamper days as presents. 

Something else which we might choose to blame for increased stress levels is increased responsibility. There have been a lot of papers published on the current generation's expectation to be able to 'have it all' in effect, to have a flourishing career, a healthy family, a clean and comfortable home and an active social life. All of this takes a lot of effort and can lead to stress, irritability and tiredness.

Chilling Out Gifts

If there's a stress head in your life, experience days could soothe away their tensions. They're not expensive and experience days are a new style of gift which you present to the recipient as a gift certificate. 

They can then use the certificate to spend the whole day in the spa, get a massage or have a fun photo shoot and make over. They're such a good way to unwind and chill out that some people even buy them for themselves.

There are lots of different types of experience days too, so even if the person you have in mind isn't used to taking time out for themselves, there's plenty of choice for them. Some young mothers, for example, can be very focused on their new baby. This can mean that they take less time out for themselves and put all of their energy in to caring for their newborn. 

If you know this type of mother, you could get her a mother and baby photo shoot. That way she wouldn't have to leave her little treasure at home. She'd also get a mini make over, feel great and get a photograph of her and her baby to cherish forever.

Teenage girls love make over experience days. They adore having funky photos taken of them for several reasons! They get to feel special and like a glamorous movie star while being preened and pampered and they also get loads of great photographs to put on their MySpace, beebo or facebook pages. 

Spa experience days are also great for dieters because they get to feel 'tasty' and smell 'delicious' without having to eat a single chocolate. They're luxurious and make you feel relaxed but can also make you look a million dollars!

 It's not just women who appreciate a spa day, either. Men love chill out days too! So, experience days are a good treat for almost anyone. There are even manly manicures, pedicures and foot rubs perfect for rugged blokes.

Oh, and if you're feeling a bit stressed out, perhaps you need a pamper experience day too!

Related article: Drive into the New Year with Style (Experience Days)