The perfect gift after a turbulent year? A little tranquility
There’s no doubt about it: 2016 was a doozy. It was so grueling, in fact, that latenight television host John Oliver dedicated an entire segment of his show to recapping the year’s perils — including Zika, the crisis in Syria and the presidential election — before ceremoniously setting a 2016 installation on fire.
“Thanks for watching,” he said, “and let’s all try harder next year.”
Despite all the doomsday theatrics, it’s an important closing sentiment. Everyone has off years, but the power to bounce back is in our hands. It’s in this spirit that we shift our focus to the year ahead, resolving to break bad habits, form good ones, spend less, give more. For most of us,
resolutions include health and fitness goals.
The good news is that we’re living in a golden age for wellness, with a renewed passion for self-improvement from the inside out. Jason Wachob, a former Wall Street trader who founded the lifestyle media brand mindbodygreen in 2009, says it’s never been easier or more fun to explore things that are good for you. “If that isn’t something to smile about, I don’t know what is,” he says.
For Wachob, 42, the gamechanger was learning to meditate. As a former college athlete and self-described “gym guy,” he said it took some convincing the first time around. But after a few weeks of steady practice, he was sold.
“It has made me a better entrepreneur and CEO because it’s about focus and compartmentalizing,” he says. “Everyone should try it.”
As you wrap up your holiday shopping, consider gifts that offer a little bit more, whether it’s rejuvenation, stress relief or help sleeping. Everyone could use a little serenity in the new year, including you.
Gifts for serenity
Set of six aromatherapy herbal
soaps ($34, plantlife.net): You’d be forgiven for assuming soap is the kind of thing handed out in corporate gift baskets, but there’s a modern way to do it. Plantlife’s aromatherapy oils, salts and soaps are 100 percent vegan and pack plenty of beauty benefits thanks to ingredients such as coconut oil (moisturizing), patchouli (antibacterial), lemon grass (toning) and oatmeal (exfoliating).
Manduka’s SuperLite mats ($40, yogaoutlet.com): The California company known for luxury mats that can cost well into triple digits now offers a more moderately priced eco-friendly line. The lightweight tree rubber gives the mats a slight slipperiness, which some yogis prefer. De-Stress Frankincense Pure Essential Oil ($43, aromatherapyassociates.com): Founded in 1985 by two aromatherapy pioneers, Geraldine Howard and Sue Beechey, Aromatherapy Associates called Princess Diana a loyal client. Frankincense, the main ingredient in this formula, is said to help relieve anxiety and soothe skin. Unreal Candy’s Milk Chocolate Quinoa Peanut Butter Cups ($18 for three bags, getunreal.com): This Michigan-based company is striving to reinvent popular candy with real, organic ingredients and less sugar. Gaiam’s Yoga for Beginners Kit ($30, target.com): Founded in Boulder, Colo., almost 30 years ago, the company is one of the largest providers of yoga equipment in the country and even has a streaming video service with programs hosted by Deepak Chopra and the Dalai Lama. Calm meditation subscription (one year $60, calm.com): Many meditation apps offer gifting options, so you can nudge your friends and family to give one a try. Calm members get access to mindfulness programs and guided sessions designed for everyone, including commuters and anxious types, with tips for managing stress and staying centered. Chalait matcha tea and bamboo whisk ($40, chalait.com): Nutritionists have long extolled the health benefits of tea, but this year, one particular type became a full-blown trend. Matcha, a finely ground powder made from green-tea leaves that’s said to increase metabolism and offer a caffeine kick without the jitters, is everywhere. For stylish stocking
stuffers, check out Chalait, which sources directly from the Uji fields in Kyoto, Japan, and sells teas and wares in sleek, minimalist packaging.
Muji diffuser ($69.50, muji.us): This Japanese lifestyle brand is beloved for its less-is-more approach to home organization. Its best-selling ultrasonic aroma diffuser spreads the scent of essential oils throughout a room and doubles as a soft light. Spire Mindfulness and Activity
Tracker ($100, apple.com): Seasoned yogis are well aware that breathing exercises can reduce stress, but the science is spreading. Spire, an attachment developed at Stanford University in 2014, clips to a belt or bra and analyzes your body’s tension by monitoring your breathing patterns. As a bonus, it syncs with your calendar, camera roll and location so it can tell you when you’re most stressed out.