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Cancer Care Package/Comfort Guide

comfort items (care package) four cornerstones: diet four cornerstones: exercise four cornerstones: sleep four cornerstones: stress reduction gift guide May 11, 2025
Laura James Cancer Care Package

Whether it’s for you, or a friend, there are items that can help you manage the cancer treatment experience (pre and post side effects) anytime of the year. These items are tried, tested and practical, and it’s the ideal time to take advantage of Black Friday deals.

I’m using the Four Cornerstones of Health (which give you the most value for your effort) to organize the naturopathic and patient-approved ideas. Please note: product links are provided as a convenience, yet can change at anytime (due to availability). Conduct your own search if the links have changed.)


Diet

Don’t we all have a range of chefs and foragers in our circles? We can all benefit from the immune and energy boost whole, fresh foods give us. Food is very personal, so if you know someone likes a harvest box of seasonal produce, sea salt caramels, or a peppermint hot chocolate, a holiday treat with a friend is extra special. For people in treatment, Grocery gift cards or HelloFresh (make at home) or Thistle (fresh to your door) allow personal choice and convenience. Your sous chefs may enjoy a new cookbook or kitchen item for baking their favorite seasonal deliciousness. A clear teapot with loose leaf tea. A spoonful of comfort sends loved ones soup!


Exercise/Activity

Gifting yourself a gym membership or indoor exercise equipment (if you’ll use it) will truly improve your health. For yourself or others, fitness gifts might include a FitBit (or other tracker, to watch patterns), workout clothes, a custom yoga mat, a home-made book of walking date coupons (Bloedel solstice walk or Arboretum solstice walk anyone?), or a family outing to ski, skate or snow play. A fun Aloha tote that has durable/water repellent fabric.


Sleep

Our body recovers and recharges while we sleep, so anything we can do to average 8 hours a night IS a gift! A recent study showed the value of eye masks for cognitive longevity, and there are calming lavender sprays and diffusing oils, along with soothing white noise or music, that can help you fall and stay asleep. A splurge might be high thread count sleep or a cooling pillow (or heating pad), or one of those adorable weighted “warmies”.or weighted stuffed animals.


Stress Reduction

Meditation apps/timers, yoga or tai chi classes can help with stress. Loose leaf tea can be relaxing (and delicious). A bath with epsom salt (so many scents) or a fun bath bomb can be soothing. As well as reading (a new book or magazine) with a seasonally scented candle. Pre-made care packages abound. Try something like a big hug, warm comfort or for the plant lover. Emily McDowell Studio has cancer and empathy-labeled items. You can count on Oh You’re So Tough Cancer to say the truth and make you laugh. And how dear would a Shutterfly photo collage fleece blanket ($30 on sale) be? And if you are worried about flu vs COVID symptoms, there’s a new combined test (just in time for the holidays).


Side Effects

You are not alone in experiencing side effects from cancer treatment. Hope these orducts bring relief and healing. Thanks to some of our professional friends who provided discounts!


Try these other gift guides for ideas…

Want more information about naturopathic approaches to your wellness? Please contact Dr. Laura James ND, FABNO, to explore integrative solutions that can support you before, during and after treatment.

@doctorlauraND

Naturopathic oncologist bringing you balanced, focused,
 real information about integrative treatment for adults with cancer.

Naturopathic oncologist bringing you balanced, focused,
 real information about integrative treatment for adults with cancer.

@doctorlauraND