The ultimate healthy holiday gift guide

The holidays are right around the corner. And the Optum Store has you covered on fresh gift ideas. We offer just-right selections for all the loved ones on your list. Bonus: These picks will help them lead a happy, healthy life. (And perhaps that someone is you — if so, no shame in self-gifting.)

For the beauty guru

Do you have a family member or friend who keeps up with all the latest beauty trends? Give them the tools to stay perfectly put together this holiday season.

COOLA Mineral Liplux Organic Tinted Lip Balms SPF 30, $18 each. This lip balm combines health and beauty by looking like a lip tint and acting like a sunscreen. It blocks out harmful rays with a mineral shield made up of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. It’s super moisturizing and keeps lips soft and smooth. Even better: It comes in several gorgeous shades. Can’t decide on a color? Get them the triple-pack ($39.99).

MDSolarSciences Solar Stick, SPF 40, $22. Does your favorite athlete love outdoor winter sports? Gift them a sunscreen stick to protect their lips from the sun’s winter rays. (Yes, you can still get burned when it’s cold out.) This handy mineral stick is easy to pack and glides on flawlessly. Mineral formulations are especially good for people with sensitive skin, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

MDSolarSciences MD Mineral BB Crème SPF 50 (sheer tinted), $39. This product is a miracle multitasker. It’s sunscreen, anti-aging cream and a sheer-tinted, matte finish all in one. Made with naturally derived zinc oxide, it’s perfect for the most sensitive skin. It’s also infused with niacinamide to help reduce discoloration, redness and dark spots.

For the dedicated athlete

Whether they’re up at dawn for a morning run or lifting weights in the basement, the athletes in your life are all about persistence. Cheer them on with a gift they’ll love:

Withings Steel HR Hybrid Smartwatch Activity Tracker, $200. This fitness tracker looks sharp and really packs a punch. Your fitness fanatic can choose from more than 30 sports, then hit the timer to measure their duration and distance. The watch also displays heart rates and the number of calories burned. And it features automatic exercise recognition — which is a fancy way of saying it will give you credit for every step you take. (Learn more ways that fitness trackers can boost health.)

Theragun Mini, $199. It’s a pocket-sized partner that combines quality muscle treatment with portability. Compact but powerful, the Mini is an agile massage device that goes wherever you go. Pack it in your gym bag to get a quick treatment right after your workout. Need a deeper massage for extra-sore muscles? Check out the Theragun Prime Percussive Therapy Massage Gun.

For new parents

New moms and dads are head over heels in love with their baby. They’re also really tired. Give those sleep-deprived parents on your list the gift of a solid night’s rest.

Withings Sleep – Sleep Cycle Tracking Pad, $100. Slip this pad under your mattress, and it tracks deep, light and REM sleep. It analyzes heart rate and snoring patterns, too. You connect the tracking pad to the Health Mate app and find out how you’re sleeping during the night. Plus, this pad can accurately detect moderate to severe sleep apnea, according to a 2021 study. (Sleep apnea can cause your oxygen levels to fall and interrupt your slumber, draining your daytime energy and increasing your risk of chronic illness.)

Therabody Wave Roller, $149. Caring for a baby means lots of lifting, rocking and carrying (not to mention endless loads of laundry). All of this can lead to achy muscles and tense shoulders. That’s why this high-tech roller is the gift that keeps giving. It combines vibration therapy and an innovative wave texture to soothe aches and pains. The Wave Roller features a full-body rolling experience that’s Bluetooth-enabled, allowing you to connect to the Therabody app for personalized routines.

For the self-care fanatics

Do you have someone on your list who adores visiting spas? They can create a spa experience at home with these presents:

Nature’s Truth Aromatherapy Essential Oils, $7 each. Relax, breathe in and say “ahhhh.” Aromatherapy oils make a wonderful gift for anyone who’s a little stressed out. Research shows that aromatherapy can also be an effective way to help manage pain and balance mood. Try the Good Nite blend to help you feel calm. Or choose lemon to boost mood and control nausea in the Happiness blend. Use essential oils as a massage oil, in a bath or in a diffuser.

Nature’s Truth Ultra-Sonic Aromatherapy Diffuser, $24. Once you’ve picked out a few essential oils for your giftee, why not add a diffuser to your cart? This sleek wooden diffuser is stylish and not too big. Place it on a shelf, table or desk to bring a fresh scent to any room.

For the health enthusiast

We’ve all got friends who drink healthy smoothies for breakfast, munch on kale chips and work hard to stay in good shape. For these folks, it’s all about delivering the health edge. Some choices that will do just that:

Kanjo Memory Foam Acupressure Mat Set, $80. Acupressure is a form of Chinese medicine used to help relieve pain by putting pressure on acupoints. This offers an easy and effective acupressure massage you can do at home. Get relief from back and neck pain, headaches and muscle tension. This acupressure mat also improves blood circulation and rejuvenates skin.

Kanjo Pain Relief Ice Roller, $25. Talk about a cool gift: Your loved one will use this gel-filled roller for all kinds of aches and pains. It’s a good tool for headaches, migraines, facial muscle aches, sinus tension and sunburn. But it does more than reduce pain. The roller also reduces facial swelling and red skin. Just pop it in the freezer for about 15 minutes, then get rolling.

For the lifelong traveler

Your favorite world traveler needs to stay healthy on the road. These gifts can help:

Bose Sleepbuds II, $249. Trying to fall asleep in a noisy hotel? Not easy. But if you need a gift for a friend or spouse who travels, Bose Sleepbuds are a winner. The wireless earbuds can play relaxing white noise to help you fall asleep faster. After charging, expect up to 10 hours of battery life. The portable charging case offers an extra 3 charges — perfect for that long, connecting flight.

dpl Pain Relief Neck Pillow, $99. Traveling long distances or flying can be rough on the upper back and neck. Why not pamper your loved one with this splurgy neck pillow? It uses infrared and red-light therapy to penetrate deep into joints and soft tissue for quick pain relief — and a bit of luxurious relaxation.

Additional source
Withings Sleep tracker study: Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine (2021). “Validation of the Withings Sleep Analyzer, an Under-the-Mattress Device for the Detection of Moderate-severe Sleep Apnea Syndrome”