Dr Christmas

Ideas for a last-minute health gift

Christmas can be hard work, especially if you have a chronic ailment or just feel under the weather. With that in mind, a new range of healthy products are being offered this year. So, whether you’re buying a last-minute present for your aunt with insomnia or father with back pain, or you want to motivate yourself to get through that January health kick you’ve been planning, here are some suggestions from Dr Christmas of items that will set you on the right path.

1 The condition: Anxiety

Dr Christmas prescribes: The Green Ribbon leather journal from Pen Heaven (£22)

Numerous studies have shown that writing a journal can be a therapeutic strategy for anyone suffering from mild mental health conditions like anxiety. A study from North Carolina State University in 2001 found that something as simple as writing about a condition for 20 minutes could yield important effects in terms of physical health and mental health, but also in terms of cognitive abilities. Pen Heaven is donating 10 per cent of all sales of this journal to the Mental Health Foundation. penheaven.co.uk/the-green-ribbonjournal

2 The condition: Cancer treatment

Dr Christmas prescribes: Littlelifts box hamper (£89)

When a friend or family member is going through cancer, it can be hard to know what to get them. But breast cancer charity Littlelifts has launched lovely comfort boxes for women undergoing chemotherapy. Each includes 25 items from a pain-easing heat pack and soothing lollies, to luxury body lotion and luscious chocolates. littlelifts.org.uk/shop

3 The condition: Respiratory issues

Dr Christmas prescribes: Puressentiel gift set (£20)

Clean, fresh air can make all the difference to anyone who suffers chest infections or just has a head cold. A Scents of Purity gift set contains purifying air spray (75ml), a ceramic diffuser, eucalyptus organic essential oil (10ml) and a 100 per cent cotton pouch.

Available in Boots.

4 The condition: Poor circulation

Dr Christmas prescribes: Kymira Sport IR50 leggings (£80) These leggings use infrared technology, which can promote blood circulation, increase levels of oxygen in the blood and promote cell growth. Keen runners might appreciate the way this can help reduce lactic acid build-up – which otherwise makes muscles ache. But anyone who suffers poor circulation could get a boost from the way the infrared element opens up capillaries and improves blood flow. kymirasport.com

5 The condition: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Dr Christmas prescribes: LQ Digestive Care £29.99 (10 bottles) IBS affects around 10-20 per cent of people living in the UK at any one time, says the charity IBS Network. This contains bladderwrack – which is high in alginic acid, often added to antacids as it can help create a Ph-neutral barrier in cases of acid reflux.

Available from Boots.

6 The condition: General malaise

Dr Christmas prescribes: Subscription to bioniq LIFE (from £250)

For anyone feeling tired, below par or just wanting to make a positive difference to their health, this personalised subscription service could be a great investment. Clients have blood tests and personal data analysed to help them make the most of their health. Packages include regular at-home blood tests and telephone consultations with a qualified nutritionist and a bespoke supplement made from up of 120 components including probiotics, vitamins, enzymes and micro-elements. Membership allows access to an online dashboard to see an archive of personal results, as well as continuous monitoring and regular check-ups throughout the year. bioniq.com

7 The condition: Dry eye syndrome

Dr Christmas prescribes: Thera-pearl eye mask (£7) Developed by Bausch & Lomb, the mask is perfect for treating a range of eye conditions including dry eye, blepharitis, sinus headaches, irritation and puffy eyes. Can be used hot or cold. feelgoodcontacts.com

8 The condition: Back pain

Dr Christmas prescribes: TRX Rocker (£39.95 and £54.95) This black and yellow rocker is a great alternative to traditional foam rollers for anyone who needs to stretch out their back at home. The rocking motion releases muscles, increases blood flow and circulation. Available in 13in or 26in. store.trxtraining.co.uk/trx-rocker

9 The complaint: Knee pain

Dr Christmas prescribes: Beurer EM29 2 in 1 knee and elbow Tens machine (£44.99)

For anyone with arthritis in the knee or tennis elbow, topical pain relief can be a tricky business. Now a new Tens machine, which can fit to your joint using an ergonomic cuff, offers safe and side-effect free pain relief. Tens devices relieve pain by sending electrical impulses through electrodes. These impulses work on the nervous system, reducing its ability to transmit pain signals to the brain and spinal cord. stressnomore.co.uk

10 The condition: Insomnia

Dr Christmas prescribes: Mela Weighted blanket (from £111.99)

The sleep solution of 2019, weighted blankets are designed to make the sleeper feel comforted and held through gentle pressure, relieving anxiety and promoting the production of oxytocin, the hormone associated with being cuddled. The weight is distributed evenly across the blanket with anti-rustle glass pellets placed in 10cm x 10cm pockets. melacomfort.co.uk

11 The condition: Stress

Dr Christmas prescribes: Homedics Gel Shiatsu Portable Pillow (£99.99)

A portable pillow that can help you chill out anywhere, this has super soft gel massage nodes, plus there’s a heat function to help you get to sleep or soothe tired muscles in the neck, shoulder or legs. homedics.co.uk

12 The condition: Aching muscles

Dr Christmas prescribes: Gtech MYO Touch (£299.99)

This adjustable automated massaging bed could just be the hit of your festive season. You can use it to help ease stiff and sore muscles. It looks like a camp bed when assembled – which is easy. The foam roller that creates the pressure can be set to move at different pressures and to focus on different areas of the body. gtech.co.uk/massage/myo-touch. html

13 The condition: Feeling faint

Dr Christmas prescribes: Festive Olive Pickings Alternative Christmas Healthy Hamper (£47.50) These hampers feature the best olive oil and olive leaf tea. New research at the University of Tsukuba in Japan has found that nutrients found in olive leaf tea are useful in the production of healthy red blood cells and that further research could show them useful against anaemia and other red cell disorders. yumbles.com

14 The condition: Chronic pain

Dr Christmas prescribes: Theragun Liv (£229)

This hi-tech massager uses percussive therapy to relieve pain. The chunky device delivers repetitive strokes into muscle 16mm deep, 40 times a second to stimulate circulation, generate heat, and release your deepest tension. You can use the Theragun app to ensure you are hitting the right spot and for advice on how to relieve pain. theragun.com/uk/en-gb/liv-uk.html

15 The condition: Feeling Blue

Dr Christmas prescribes:

The Wellbeing Bouquet (£39.99) For anyone who doesn’t cope well at Christmas, this unusual bouquet could be a lovely gift. It features yellow chrysanthemums, associated with reducing stress and anxiety, and gerbera daisies – known to be air purifiers, removing harmful toxins such as trichloroethylene and benzene, to improve respiration and promote a restful night’s sleep. There are also white oriental lilies, often used in aromatherapy to treat headaches and depression. serenataflowers.com

16 The condition: Everything’s wrong

Dr Christmas prescribes: Tickets to The Get Well Show at Olympia, Feb 21-23 2020 (£20 per day)

For anyone fascinated by their health, treat them to a ticket to this exhibition, which features speakers such as psychiatrist Dr Pam Shervanick, who treats her patients holistically, and Dr Nyjon Eccles – one of the pioneers of natural healthcare including thermography for early breast cancer detection. getwell.solutions