It’s the holidays. People are stressed not only with holiday plans, but with finding that perfect gift to show a loved one they care. What better way to communicate that message than by giving a gift that will make them feel good all year long?

So, when making your holiday list, and checking it twice, be sure to include not only good gift ideas, but ones that are good for you too.

    A recent survey conducted by Jenny Craig, Inc., revealed that approximately 80 percent of people would appreciate receiving a health-related gift item during the holidays and seven in ten people (69 percent) would consider giving such a gift.

Aromatherapy, Pilates, Yoga, oh my!

    If you decide that a healthy gift is the way to go this holiday season, first you will need to examine the habits of the people on your list. Do they have healthy habits? If so, what are they? Do they enjoy yoga, Pilates, spa treatments, or practice alternative medicine?  Perhaps they enjoy massage or dabble in acupuncture.

    If yoga is the answer, an appreciated gift might be a yoga mat or yoga video.  For the person who likes some pampering, consider aromatherapy oils and accessories such as aromatherapy diffusers, candles, and bath salts.  For those practicing Pilates, how about a Pilates exercise ball or Pilates mat bag? Acupuncture enthusiasts might enjoy an acupressure point hand chart.  Massage lovers would welcome massage oils, massage music or a massage stone set so they can enjoy the benefits of massage at home. 

    “Last year I received a foot massager,” Stephanie Urfer of Brooklyn, NY said. “I work as a server at a local bistro and I am on my feet all the time. It was the best present I could have received. It’s such a luxury to come home and spoil my feet; it makes going to work more tolerable. Sometimes, I will even add lavender or rosemary essence to enhance the overall experience.”

Healthy Gifts Contribute to Healthy Backs

    In addition to gifts that provide overall health and well being, many people have problem areas that need specific targeting such as the neck and spine. Today, cervical and spine problems are becoming more and more numerous. This can be attributed to an array of causes that include more time at the computer desk and more time in the car.

    Companies such as Banner Therapy Products, based in Asheville, NC, offer a wide selection of healthy gifts that help to improve posture, cervical alignment, and offer pain relief.  Some pain relief products include: heated seat cushions and heated car seats with massage designed by Obus Forme.  Cervical support pillows that are water based and also contour to the neck and spine also offer pain relief from cervical tension, sleepless nights and headaches.  Inversion tables are also growing in popularity. In fact, they were recently featured on the morning news program, Good Morning America. Inversion allows a stretch for the muscles and the ligaments in the spine.  As the muscles elongate, they relax, which can relieve some discomfort that occurs through normal daily activity or through sports activities.

Banner Therapy Products Provides One-Stop Shopping

    A company like Banner Therapy Products is a great place to start when seeking a healthy gift. In addition to providing professionals with physical therapy equipment, rehabilitation supplies, and medical equipment, they also sell an array of exercise gear, thousands of spa products, salon and skin-care products, and massage therapy supplies that make perfect personal gifts during the holiday season.
“We purchase our stock from hundreds of local and international suppliers/manufacturers to save our customers time and money,” Tom Maroney, CEO of Banner Therapy Products, said.  “We like our customers to have a wide choice at their fingerprints and to be their one-stop shopping source when it comes to healthy holiday gift needs. We continually travel the world searching for new and innovative products.”

    So, why not consider a healthy gift this holiday season for your loved one? Who knows, you might even find something for yourself as well.