Product ReviewsWellness

We Found 26 Self-Care Gifts to Help the Dad in Your Life Chill Out

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Published on May 27, 2025
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Everyday Health independently vets all recommended products. If you purchase a featured product, we may be compensated. Learn why you can trust us.
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There is a lot of much-needed discussion about postpartum mental health for mothers entering the zeitgeist. (And thank goodness, since 10 to 20 percent of mothers will experience postpartum depression at some point, and it's time to raise awareness around this painful statistic.)

 However, fathers face their own mental health challenges, and those struggles can also put a strain on the overall family well-being. Shifts in identity, fears, and emotional troubles can lead dads to use not-so-great coping tools.

Normalizing the critical conversation around men’s mental health is just one part of taking care of the guy (or guys) in your life—you can also encourage them to start practicing self-care, and Father’s Day is a good opportunity to do just that. From the dad who wants to bond with his newborn to the one who needs to pour more energy into his hobbies, there is a self-care Father’s Day gift for everyone.

Fill His Well With Wellness

There are many ways to find a sense of wellness — here are just a few of our favorites.
Dad long sleeve baby carrier shirt

Lalabu Dad Shirt Baby Carrier

Buy Now $89.95
The Lalabu Dad Shirt is perfect for new dads who want to snuggle with their newborn. We especially love that he can pop his baby in the shirt and get some things done for himself, like grabbing a cup of coffee or getting some fresh air during a morning stroll.
Ritual stress relief supplements

Ritual Stress Relief Supplement

Buy Now $60
Any self-care routine deserves a great stress supplement, and Ritual doesn’t disappoint with their stress relief supplement. The star of the show is ashwaganda, which can decrease cortisol levels and symptoms of anxiety.

 L-Theanine is in the mix too, offering solid stress-busting relief.

innerwell logo

Innerwell Therapy Sessions

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A recent study found that some fathers experience anxiety during their early days of fatherhood and find themselves feeling quite lonely since their partner isn’t as emotionally available as they might have been before having children.

 This is where therapy comes in. It can be extremely helpful to have a trained professional give unbiased support. We love Innerwell — not only do they offer traditional talk therapy, but they also offer Ketamine therapy, which is great for treatment-resistant depression, and eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), which is super helpful for trauma. For more, check out our full review of Innerwell.
Alo magnesium reset spray

Alo Magnesium Reset Spray

Buy Now $48
Hunching over to pick up a baby, squatting low to give your toddler an eye-to-eye talk, trying to keep up playing one-on-one basketball with your energetic preteen — a lot of parenting involves uncomfortable shapes. Soothe that tweaked neck and sore lower back with the Alo Magnesium Reset Spray. Magnesium is proven to reduce muscle soreness, which already makes this product a must-have.

 But the deal is sweetened with the addition of arnica, which is great for reducing inflammation and providing pain relief.

Aesop shave kit

Aesop Complete Shaving Care Kit

Buy Now $292
The old phrase, “Look good, feel good,” has stuck around for good reason — taking care of our bodies can boost our mental state. We love this Aesop Complete Shaving Care Kit because it offers a luxury shaving experience that he can do in just a few minutes at home.

Pretty Pocket Sudoku Book

$9.99 at Amazon
Buy on Amazon $9.99
Brain health is wealth. Sudoku is a simple puzzle game that can enhance working memory and attention span.

 This handy pocket-sized book lets him take a quick puzzle break and chill anytime.
Dior Sauvage skincare set

Dior Sauvage Skincare Ritual Set

Buy Now $132
Many overlook the fact that enjoying having nice skin isn’t limited to women — men appreciate it, too. This Dior skincare set is perfect for skin tired from the stress and lack of sleep that can accompany fatherhood, thanks to its nondrying cleanser and ultrahydrating serum.
Happy hippie bath bomb

Lush Happy Hippy Bath Bomb

Buy Now $6.50
A nice hot bath can decrease feelings of stress, tension, and even anger.

 Plus, this bath bomb from Lush comes in the shape of a euphoric hippie, which is sure to bring a smile to his face. All he has to do is toss it in the bath, watch the bomb dissolve (complete with colors and fizz), and let the relaxation begin.

Something to Relax His Mind

Long live the art of leisure. Lean into some of his hobbies with these picks.

Braiding Sweetgrass, by Robin Wall Kimmerer

$17.88 at Amazon
$22Now 19% Off
Buy on Amazon $17.88
Braiding Sweetgrass is a meditation on the beauty of the natural world, an invitation to slow down, and a plea to be present. Written as a series of essays, it is perfect for a quick read first thing in the morning or before bed.

Bushnell Trail Camera

$143.49 at Amazon
$159.99Now 10% Off
Buy on Amazon $143.49
A trail camera may not be for every dad. After all, not everyone is outdoorsy. But this trail camera is fun for even the most novice nature-lover. He can strap it to a tree and later review the footage to see what wildlife strolled through the backyard last night.
Mini travel tool kit

Pottery Barn Mini Travel Tool Set

Buy Now $59
Gone are the days of chunky fluorescent yellow box housing every tool he can imagine. This sleek tool kit has the essentials neatly tucked away in a vegan leather case. We love that you can choose from nine different colors, too.
Custom leather work glove

Vermont Glove Custom Leather Work Glove

Buy Now $175
Any dad who likes to work with his hands understands the importance of a good work glove. Not only is it important for safety, but it can also make all of his home improvement projects just a bit more comfortable. This Vermont Glove set can be customized with his initials, making it an instant heirloom.
Bird Buddy Smart Feeder

Bird Buddy Smart Bird Feeder

Buy Now $199.99
Don’t be fooled by this title. This smart bird feeder isn’t just an automatic feeder. It takes pictures of birds, so you can get close-up details, and alerts you to when other critter thieves are trying to snatch the bird food. This is perfect for the bird enthusiast or the outdoor newbie who is looking for a new hobby. 

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

$159.99 at Amazon
Buy on Amazon $159.99
Kids are like sponges — they soak up all that we model for them. It should come as no surprise that reading in childhood can boost their physical and mental health as adults.

 Plus, reading can contribute to a longer life for adults.

 Getting a Kindle can help him relax, amp up his longevity, and model healthy behaviors for the kiddos. Sounds like a win all around.
Dad kitchen journal

Dad’s Kitchen Recipe Journal

Buy Now $38
The role of fathers in the kitchen can be overlooked. However, experiences with dad cooking not only promote bonding, but they can also help children have better health outcomes.

 This recipe journal makes the perfect keepsake, so special dishes can stay in the family forever.
Massage gift box set

Lizush Massage Gift Box

Buy Now $69
Parenthood can do a number on relationships, leaving couples feeling distant from each other even if they’re raising children side by side. Exploring ways to deepen your intimacy and connection with one another is a great way to reignite the flame. This massage gift set is perfect for bonding. Plus, mutual massage is great for coping with stress and overall relationship satisfaction.

Rise Gardens Personal Rise Garden Indoor Hydroponic Kit

$349 at Amazon
Buy on Amazon $349
Gardening is proven to result in significant mental and physical health gains.

 It makes us get outside, enjoy fresh air, work with our hands, and cultivate a new skill. Green thumb or not, this hydroponic garden from Rise is great for growing some edible greens. These small but mighty setups can grow up to 12 plants in less than 30 days. It is compact and space-friendly, too.

Health Comes First

We’re taking it back to the basics of self-care. These picks focus on his physical health, helping him stay active, healthy, and able to keep up with the kids.

Ladder Workout Subscription

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Ladder is a workout app that focuses on progressive strength training. It takes on the style of a personal trainer, thanks to in-ear coaching and video demonstrations. Plus, it is great at pacing workouts, so total exhaustion and burnout are avoided. We love the Resilient program from Neen Williams, a professional skateboarder and father.

Theragun massager

Therabody Theragun Relief Massage Gun

Buy Now $169.99
Recovery is just as important as the workout. Rest days, getting enough sleep, and programming in days of active recovery activities like walking and stretching are key. There is something that can sweeten the deal, though. That’s where this massager from Theragun comes in. Massage guns like this are great for improving muscle strength and flexibility while reducing pain.

Camelbak Hydrobak Hydration Pack

$49.95 at Amazon
Buy on Amazon $49.95

Hiking, running, long walks — these are all activities where it is important to stay hydrated, but cumbersome to carry a water bottle in hand. The Camelback hydration pack is the perfect solution. Fill it with water, strap it on, and sip as needed. We like that there’s a section to throw some snacks in for longer ventures outdoors.

Tokens of Comfort

Sometimes we just need a bit of comfort. These things can make life feel a bit cozier, from morning to evening and all those hours in between.
Calm app

Calm Subscription

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Meditation doesn’t have to be intimidating. It can be a quick five minutes in the morning while the coffee is brewing or a quick sleep story as you fall asleep. We love the Calm app because it makes introducing mindfulness into a daily routine easier than ever.

Adjustable barbells

Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbells

Buy Now $199.99
Parenthood can feel like it speeds up aging. Backs become more achy, skin loses its elasticity, and knees start to creak. Picking up some weights and getting into a strength training routine can help build strength and stave off the effects of aging.

 We love these dumbells because they don’t take up much space and can go up to 52 pounds of weight.
Heated coffee mug

Ohom Ui 3 Heated Coffee Mug

Buy Now $98

No one likes to have to decide between cold coffee or stale reheated coffee, but parenting can get so busy, there’s no time to sip some joe while it is hot. This heated mug has a wireless heating pad so the coffee stays warm. The heating pad also doubles as a wireless phone charger, too.

Chemex Pour-Over Coffee Maker

$48.93 at Amazon
Buy on Amazon $48.93
If you’re wondering what busy parent has time to make a pour-over coffee, hear us out. It takes just a few minutes in the morning, but it can become a cherished ritual. Grab this Chemex and pair it with a bag of coffee beans from his favorite cafe.
Birkenstock boston clog

Birkenstock Boston Soft Clog

Buy Now $165
A timeless dad shoe. The Boston Soft Clog from Birkenstock is supportive, cool, and easy to slide on and go when in a hurry. It has a soft footbed that will mold to his foot over time, creating a custom fit.

Hey Kids, Watch This! Book

$37.95 at Amazon
Buy on Amazon $37.95
There’s a special joy in sharing something we love with our children. This book from A24 has over 100 family-friendly movie recommendations, so it is perfect for the cinephiles out there. This book flags any age-inappropriate elements in the movies featured, making it easy to weed out films that aren’t a good fit for his kiddos. 

What Are Some Free or Low-Cost Ways to Support the Dad in My Life?

Simple: Help him get some more time for himself. “In a two-parent family, parents can take turns letting each other get out of the house or take time for themselves,” explains Lauren Pietra, LMFT, a licensed marriage and family therapist in Pasadena, California. If it isn’t possible to get away, Pietra encourages fathers to invite friends over to spend time with them and their kids or go for a walk together. “Other self-care activities can include exercise, gardening, journaling, listening to music — try to think back on things that made you feel good pre-baby,” Pietra continues. A heartfelt card, coffee delivered to bed, or even just watching a movie at home together are other low-cost ways to show appreciation. Finally, ask how he is doing often. Being a safe space for him to express himself emotionally is one of the greatest ways you can offer support.

Can Men Experience Perinatal Mental Health Issues?

Yes — even though men don’t have the same hormonal changes as women, it is estimated that 10 percent of men will experience perinatal depression.

 “Postpartum mental health issues often arise when expectations differ from what is actually experienced,” Pietra explains. Plus, parenting can dredge up our own family history, which can be very challenging to parse through while navigating all the demands of new fatherhood.

FAQs

What is the best way to honor my dad?
If your dad is no longer here, Father’s Day may feel painful. Be gentle with yourself on this day. Write a letter to your Dad, eat one of his favorite foods, call a loved one, and reminisce on the memories you shared with him. If those ideas sound a bit too tender, spend time with friends and focus on the love you have in your life.

Any activity can be fun with the right intentions. Cook a meal together (don’t forget to jot down the ingredients in the Dad’s Kitchen recipe book). Drink coffee together and catch up on life. Chat about the best memories you’ve created together. Regardless of what you decide, lean into the magic of quality time and enjoy each other.

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Julia Childs Heyl, MSW

Author

Julia Childs Heyl, MSW, is a California-based clinical social worker and mental health writer. Her writing often focuses on mental health disparities and uses critical race theory as her preferred theoretical framework. She has been published by Verywell Mind, Health, Parents, Shape, Yahoo, and more.

In her clinical work, Julia specializes in treating people of color experiencing anxiety, depression, and trauma through depth therapy and EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) trauma therapy. Identifying as a holistic-minded clinician, Julia views mental health as a relationship between the soul, self, and systemic structures in our lives. Her formative training includes developing mental health programming specifically for Black survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault and conducting research on generational trauma within the Black community.

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Ashley Ziegler

Editor

Ashley Ziegler is a full-time writer with extensive experience covering women’s health, babies' and kids' health, mental health, and wellness. Her work has appeared on websites including The Bump, Health, Pregnancy & Newborn, People, Parents, Romper, Scary Mommy, and more.

Before transitioning into her full-time writing career, Ashley worked in the departments of pediatric cardiology and general medicine at Duke University Medical Center, and later at the North Carolina Medical Board. During undergrad, she majored in communications at Purdue University and then earned her master’s degree with a concentration in healthcare management from Indiana Wesleyan University.

Ashley lives with her husband and two young daughters in North Carolina. In her free time, she enjoys reading, walking, taking barre classes, and catching up on her favorite podcasts.

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Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
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