Whether the goal is to surprise, delight or maybe even help someone live a slightly healthier life, there is a gift out there for that special someone this holiday season. Here are a few ideas to get the wheels turning.
Focus devices to reduce screen time
Screens off. Focus devices like cube timers may help toddlers begin to understand time, but these handy cubes help parents and older kids plan and clock moments away from devices. Moms and dads can set countdown settings from 15, 20, 30 or 60 minutes. See some options here.
Wakey, wakey, just not so fast
Nothing slams a sleeping person into the day like a blaring, bright alarm, not to mention the rush of the stress hormone cortisol caused by sudden awakenings. Gradual light alarm clocks are the antidote, easing you into the morning with simulated sunrises, personalized brightness settings and options for multiple natural wake-up sounds. Consider the spherical design of the Philips SmartSleep Wake-Up Light or the Casper wireless nightlight that incorporates intuitive gestures. There are lots of options and price points to choose from.
Not quite up to advanced yoga? Try these.
How about options for the yoga enthusiast in your life? A yoga block provides an assist for people with less flexibility for stretching exercises, while a yoga towel prevents slipping. These make a great team in helping the non-master yogis in the class avoid injury.
Turn up the heat with a cookbook
The Mediterranean diet is the ideal way to eat because it’s built around good food that’s good for you. It’s also tasty, prepared with lots of inexpensive ingredients and the recipes are often easy to make. So why not seal the deal with a Mediterranean diet cookbook? There’s a zillion options out there. And remember, fad diets rarely keep the weight off. Novant Health registered dietitians remind us: Splurge, eat a piece of chocolate cake. Just don’t eat the whole cake.
Anything to get them moving
In the age of mostly screen time, kids are deprived of time outside and active play. One device gets them jumping around and getting exercise, while having a ball, literally. Consider BEBJUIL Kids Skip Ball, a flashing, colorful, foldable ankle skip ball for kids. Part fat-burning fitness and part fun, this ideal gift is the perfect present to keep a kid hopping.
Weight, heat, ahhhh …
Studies are incomplete as to the extent of benefits from compressed heat, but fans of weighted heating pads agree they sure feel good. Like weighted blankets that have a calming effect, weighted heating pads have a similar effect plus heat. Heat therapy boosts circulation, helping to calm muscle spasms, relieve joint pain and reduce stiffness. Sharper Image Calming Heat Massaging Weighted Heating Pad takes top marks along with the Sunbeam ConformHeat Heating Pad named best weighted heating pad for travel. They range in price from $39-$59.
Swanky water bottle
By the time we feel thirsty, we’re already dehydrated. Drinking enough water helps the body by replenishing nutrients to cells, lubricating joints, and encouraging healthy organ function. Good thing there are so many designer water bottles on the market that make perfect holiday gifts. Adventure company Stanley’s cups are the supermodels of durable beverage containers, made from recycled stainless steel like the Quencher H2.0 Flowstate™ 40-Ounce Tumbler. ($40)
Sleep mask bliss
For a better night’s sleep, make the world go away with noise blocking, light-shielding sleep masks. Find one that does double sensory deprivation duty, covering both eyes and ears to quiet exterior sense triggers. Consider the Hibermate Noise Blocking Sleep Mask with Earmuffs ($49.95). And don’t forget, sleep is a key building block of a healthy lifestyle.
