There’s no gift like health for the holidays

You can’t give health as a gift, but a gift that helps someone eat, sleep, or exercise better can be meaningful. Dr. Laurence Sperling of Emory University says that gifts related to health show how much you care about the recipient. Here are some ideas for such gifts that experts shared.

University of Washington professor Dr. Cindy Lin recommends choosing a fitness-related gift that the recipient enjoys. Some examples are portable and versatile fitness items, like yoga mats or exercise balls that don’t take up much space. If you don’t want to give material gifts, consider sports lessons or a few months of a gym membership to help someone become more active without the cost of a full-year membership. Online workout programs are also effective.

Tech apps, like fitness trackers, make great gifts too. They can monitor heart rate, helping track cardiovascular health and exercise. Dr. Marie-Pierre St-Onge of Columbia University said that holiday gifts are often filled with sweets and alcohol, but healthier options, such as food gift baskets with dried fruits and nuts, are easy to find.