Check Out These Health-Minded Stocking Stuffers

For many people, stockings are a quintessential element of the holiday season—each one hung from the mantel and filled to the brim with candy canes, chocolates, and other seasonal treats. However, a stocking full of decadent delights isn’t the healthiest gift. Maintaining good habits during the holidays is tough, but you can support the wellness of your loved ones by choosing these health-minded stocking stuffers.

Infuser water bottle
Drinking enough water is a healthy habit that affects everything from your blood pressure to your joints. However, you can make water even more nutritious by adding your favorite fruits and herbs. Infused water is a healthy and tasty way to avoid sugary drinks like soda and also offers health benefits ranging from improved metabolism to increased relaxation. Add an infuser water bottle, like the Zing Anything Citrus Zinger Sip, to a family member’s stocking, which will allow them to easily infuse water with citrus fruits like lemons, limes, and oranges. Another option is the OMORC Sport Fruit Infuser, featuring an infuser rod that your loved one can fill with their favorite fruits or vegetables to create a flavorful and healthy beverage.

Personal water filter
A must-have for any outdoor enthusiast on your shopping list, this device comes in both bottle and straw form and allows you to treat water collected from streams, springs, or waterfalls, making it safe to consume. The LifeStraw Personal Water Filter, for example, has a microfiltration membrane designed to remove 99.9 percent of waterborne bacteria and provides up to a thousand gallons of safe drinking water. These straws are light, have no expiration date, and don’t need batteries to filter water.

Massage ball
After a challenging workout or long day at work, nothing beats a deep-muscle massage, and you can help a loved one enjoy this experience at home by adding a massage ball to their stocking. Regularly performing self-massages can help ease anxiety, headaches, and muscle pain. The TriggerPoint Foam Massage Ball targets smaller muscles like the pecs and calves, and the SKLZ Dual Point Massager features a unique foam design created specifically to target your back and spine.

Lip balm
Chilly winter weather can easily wreak havoc on people’s lips, leaving them dry and chapped. Help your loved ones avoid this uncomfortable weather-related condition by adding lip balm to their stocking. Many lip balms also contain sunscreen, making them an excellent gift for the outdoor enthusiast or athlete on your gift list. Several companies produce all-natural lip balms, including Burt’s Bees, All Good, and Dr. Bronner’s. It’s a thoughtful gift, especially for someone you want to meet under the mistletoe.

Subscription box
This is truly a gift that keeps on giving. Typically delivered once a month, there are subscription boxes for virtually every interest and lifestyle. If you have a loved one planning to make healthy changes in the new year, order a subscription from a company that focuses on nutritious eating or self-care. Just add a card with the subscription info to their stocking, letting them know what’s coming their way. Some popular options include:

• SnackSack sends subscribers up to fifteen nutritious snacks a month, and the company has plans for vegan and gluten-intolerant customers.
• Respyre delivers hand-mixed teas and herbal blends with a monthly theme.
• Cratejoy sends a curated assortment of items to relax the mind, like its Coloring and Classics collection, which features adult coloring books, activity books, and novels.
• KiwiCo offers STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) boxes with a monthly hands-on educational project for kids and teens of various ages.

Sound sleep accessories
A sound night’s sleep makes you feel good and is vital for your health. Getting less than seven hours of sleep a night can negatively affect your memory, concentration, mood, and immune system. If you know someone who struggles to fall asleep, a sleeping mask like the Alaska Bear Natural Silk Sleep Mask may be beneficial, as it blocks 100 percent of light with a comfortable mulberry silk fabric. You can also choose a pair of Fulext Sleep Headphones, a Bluetooth headband that drowns out exterior noise as the wearer drifts off to sleep.

Electronics cleaning kit
Personal hygiene and cleanliness have been at the forefront of people’s minds recently. However, it can be easy to overlook the importance of cleaning your cell phone regularly. Scientists at the University of Arizona found that cellphones can carry ten times more bacteria than a toilet seat. With an electronic cleaning kit, you can help your loved ones keep all their electronic devices as clean as possible. The WHOOSH! Screen Cleaner Kit comes with a specially designed cleaner and microfiber cloths that help disinfect tech by removing fingerprints, dirt, gunk, and dust.

Tea infuser
A hot cup of tea can be the perfect beverage on a winter’s day, and most teas are low in calories. Best of all, studies have shown that drinking certain types of tea can boost your immune system and ward off inflammation. Using a tea infuser eliminates the need for tea bags, helping reduce waste going to landfills. While there are numerous tea infusers to choose from, a novelty version can help make every cup of tea fun to drink. The Baby Nessie Tea Infuser holds loose-leaf tea in the body of a mythical lake monster, and the Genuine Fred Slow Brew Sloth Tea Infuser is perfect for lethargically sipping a favorite brew.

If you’re looking to truly hang your stockings with care this holiday season, add one of these gifts that can positively impact a loved one’s mind or body.