21 Healthy Gift Ideas for Your Wellness-Loving Friend
We all have that friend—the one who inspires us to treat our bodies well, eat nutrient-rich foods, and get more sleep; they even offer up remedies for anxiety. I know I have a few, and one, in particular, has helped me tweak my lifestyle so I feel better in my body every single day. She even had me eating vegan for a week. Though that didn't last—my energy responds better to lean protein and most cold-water fish—I am endlessly thankful for her persistence. As such, I think it's about time I gift her with a few goodies she'll love for the holidays. I'm sure you feel the same way about your own health-conscious friend.
To help you (and me), I made a list of every possible healthy gift that came my way, hoping to spark a few good ideas. Every single item is THE/THIRTY-approved, as each one offers up something helpful in the way of wellness—whether it be supplements, fitness accessories, self-care tools, or adaptogenic herbs. Below, find our favorites and do a bit of research on each for the people on your list. We're sure you're going to love it.
Make sure your friend gets the best sleep every single night with this luxe kit. Slip is probably one of the biggest names in silk pillowcases (which are much easier on your skin and hair than regular ones), so you know this gift is a winner. It comes with a pillowcase and an eye mask. Sweet dreams.
Bath time can become the ultimate self-care, relaxation moment with these natural and calming bath salts. They're made with Himalayan pink sea salts, ylang-ylang, and vanilla oil that will detoxify, exfoliate, moisturize, and de-stress. It's recommended to add a quarter of the bottle to the bath and wait for one to two minutes for it to dissolve.
Okay, we thought we already knew all about the weighted blanket trend and how some people use it to soothe anxiety and stress. But then we found out Casper made weighted blankets, and we immediately put them on our holiday gift list. The maker of ultra-luxe mattresses also makes an equally luxe blanket.
Pajamas are a classic holiday gift and for good reason. What you wear to bed needs to be extra comfortable. Your friend can ditch their usual T-shirt-and-shorts combo and slip into this soft jersey set. It just makes bedtime so much chicer, no?
If your friend sits at a desk all day, gift them with this massaging neck wrap that will reduce pain and soreness in the neck and shoulders. It'll be the thing they'll want to use immediately when they get home after a long day at work.
Help your friend practice mindfulness and get in the right mindset for the new year with this journal. Inside, there are different prompts and exercises that require introspection, curiosity, and creativity. It's great to have on hand to deal with everyday stresses and self-doubt.
Some people believe that Himalayan salt lamps can cleanse, purify, and deodorize the air, boost energy levels, enhance mood. This one comes with a wooden base and clear bulb, but you can swap out colorful bulbs for a different effect.
Four Sigmatic's offerings are known for helping with stress relief, focus and concentration, and immune support, among other things. This variety pack includes a mix of mushroom latte blends so your friend can try them all and see which one works best for them.
It might seem a bit odd gifting someone with supplements, but when it's for a friend who's wellness-obsessed, we think they'll be ecstatic. Ritual has become a favorite with many of our editors and readers because of its formula of nine essential ingredients and easy subscription option. It's also vegan, gluten- and allergen-free, and non-GMO and contains no colorants or synthetic fillers.
Wellness friends especially will appreciate an essential-oil diffuser. Since lavender is scientifically proven to help you relax and de-stress, it's the perfect diffuser option to include in a gift. It'll help your friend sleep, unwind, and add some much-needed zen to their life.
This cuddly sherpa jacket will keep your friend warm while lounging at home or running an errand. It has a high collar to keep them extra cozy and comfy, which is a major plus on freezing days.
With a fruity scent, this candle will be both rejuvenating and calming. It features hints of roses and blackcurrant leaves. The 6.5-ounce version has a 60-hour burn time, meaning they can get a lot of uses out of it, especially helpful if they incorporate it into their self-care routine.
We seriously love Sakara at THE/THIRTY, from its metabolism powders to its meal kits. Our editors are obsessed. Treat your friend to a starter kit of sorts from the brand. The set is truly everything they need to start the New Year off right.
CBD has gained a lot of traction in the wellness space for its restorative benefits. Lord Jones's body lotion offers up shea butter for fatty acids and natural vitamins and full-spectrum CBD oil to soothe and nourish the skin.
Since the holidays are the perfect time to indulge in some seasonal hot chocolate, opt for Moon Juice's version. Along with decadent cocoa, the mix includes Tocos to nourish your skin, ashwagandha for stress relief, Shatavari to support sexual health, and reishi to support a healthy immune system. It tastes incredible, and it makes your body feel even better. Hell, buy one for yourself, too. It's that good.
Try this lightweight, super-soft textured bathrobe for a night (or two or three) of self-care. Your friend will throw it on for some TLC, whether that means watching Netflix with a face mask, taking a luxurious bath, steeping their hair with a hydrating treatment, cooking dinner, or journaling. Plus, you can throw it in with the rest of your laundry, no problem.
Girlfriend Collective is an athletic-wear brand that focuses on humane manufacturing and sustainable materials. Made using recycled water bottles, this particular bra is especially supportive and made from a sweat-wicking, breathable fabric with four-way stretch.
These gummies have changed my life. They offer deep, restful sleep each night when I used to toss and turn. They're a blend of melatonin, L-theanine, and botanicals like chamomile and lemon balm, which are meant to help boost your natural sleep hormone, encourage a calm feeling, and support a healthy sleep cycle. I take them about 30 minutes before I want to be asleep, and they work. Every single time. They're great for anyone who has trouble sleeping but doesn't want to get into prescription medication or someone who tosses and turns because of anxiety or a racing mind. It isn't a hard-core medication by any means. It won't force you to sleep or make you feel groggy and weird in the morning. Instead, it's just a very calming feeling that washes over you and eases you to sleep when you're ready.
Changing my diet and prioritizing real foods over processed meals changed everything. A huge part of that was ghee. Ghee, or clarified butter, is milk fat rendered after butter separates from the milk solids and water found in an average unsalted stick. If you have a friend who is sensitive to dairy, ghee is a great alternative to regular butter because it is stripped from milk solids during the clarification process, leaving only healthy butter fats behind. It's rich in butyric acid as well, a short-chain fatty acid that helps keep your digestion on track and can decrease inflammation. Plus, it tastes delicious.
For someone who's new to healthy cooking (or, like me, cooking in general), it's so helpful to have a great cookbook to refer to on nights in. This cookbook has recipes for every occasion, whether you're dining alone or serving a group. You'll find cheese-board tips, comfort-food classics, and salad inspiration here.
Adaptogens have roots in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and work to regulate your cortisol levels (your body's stress hormone) to help with digestion; calm anxiety; and boost energy, mood, and even weight loss. This one, in particular, Sun Potion Mucuna Pruriens Powder ($47), contains 15% L-dopa, a naturally occurring amino acid that transforms into dopamine in your brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that allows for more dynamic functioning of the brain, and higher levels of dopamine have been linked to enhanced brain function, elevated mood and energy levels, and a more balanced nervous system.
Next up: The 25 Best High-Impact Sports Bras, According to Our Readers
This article was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
Disclaimer
This article is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be used in the place of advice of your physician or other medical professionals. You should always consult with your doctor or healthcare provider first with any health-related questions.
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