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Image description: Colourful it pencils are arranged to create a heart surrounded by the business end of the pencils.. Image has the number 11 is a heart placed in the middle and the hashtag #ChronicChristmas

This is my daily Advent calendar of gift ideas for people with chronic illness, running from December 1-25. Some entries will contain affiliate links.

Living with a chronic illness is stressful. You’re dealing with the physical symptoms that may be unpredictable and very certainly affects what you do, often less then you used to be able to do. You’re juggling medical tests, medical appointments, medications, becoming an expert project manager as you coordinate services and seek funding assistance.

I often say that having a chronic illness is a full-time job. And the stressful one at that.

Learning to manage stress is important. Not just because it can make you happier person, but also because many types of chronic illness are aggravated by stress.

Which brings us to today’s gift entry. Colouring books.

Unless you’ve been living in a remote mountain cave, you know that colouring books exploded onto the scene a couple of years ago. Many people find them incredibly relaxing and use them as a way to let go of stress. There’s something about sitting quietly and colouring tiny little fields with delicious intense colour from delicious markers or pencils that simply unplugs you from the stress.

Personally, I’m not the type. Mine would look more like this

(Source unknown, but really clever)

But I do get it. You’re shifting your attention to something that requires focus, but not the kind of focus that involves a lot of thinking. I used to do jigsaw puzzles, but that hurts too much now. Instead, I now play PathPix. Which, come to think of it, is a perfect mix of a puzzle and a colouring book.

There are approximately 23 million (at least) colouring books on the market, so you can find something – like this – that fits with the interests of your recipient. Or yourself, in case this is a gift for you.

Definitely include some yummy coloured pencils or fine markers so you they can get to colouring straightaway.