The Parsley Health Wellness Gift Guide

Gift giving season has arrived! And at Parsley Health, it’s no secret that we love anything wellness related that makes us feel healthier, happier, and like our best self.

While we believe wellness should be a priority year round, this is the perfect time to give the gift of health to your loved ones or yourself (like a gift certificate for The Parsley Assessment ).

We asked our MDs and health coaches to share their favorite healthy holiday gift ideas this year, and the list includes a little something for everyone regardless of where they are on their wellness journey.

Here’s the Parsley Health approved guide to the best wellness centric presents you can gift your loved ones this year.

Organic Wine Subscription + Matcha Kit

Photo: Panatea Matcha

The pesticides, additives, and high sugar content in your typical wine negate any benefits it otherwise has, but Dry Farm Wines will deliver a monthly box of organic, additive-free, and very low sugar wine to any wine lover’s door for him/her to enjoy guilt-free!

I also love Matchaful’s Ritual Set . It’s a fun introduction to matcha, a caffeinated tea that’s rich in chlorophyll and catechins. Pro tip: I like to blend mine with MCT oil and organic ghee for an added boost in the morning.

— Christina Vittas, former Parsley health coach

Sensory Deprivation Float Tank

I love giving experiences and a float is an amazing one. It contains magnesium-sulphate aka epsom salts, which relaxes muscles and creates an enclosed comfortable environment — my meditation and relaxation is next level with a float.

If you’re a Parsley Health member you get special perks with LIFT in Brooklyn, Reboot Float and Cyro in San Francisco and Just Float in LA.

— Robin Berzin, MD

Heartmath Monitor

The InnerBalance monitor offers a window into the connection between the heart and the brain. Measuring HRV (heart rate variability) impacts how we feel and perform on a daily basis. I recommend the HeartMath monitor to patients who have energy swings throughout the day or need to quiet an overactive mind.

— Tiffany Lester, MD

Classpass

Photo: ClassPass

I recommend this to Parsley Health members all the time and I use it myself. I love Classpass because it allows you to choose your gym/fitness focus which keeps energy and motivation high!

— Elisa Haggarty, Health Coach

Vitamix + Standing Desk

Once you use one, there’s no going back! A Vitamix is fabulous for preparing green smoothies, nut milks, salad dressings, soups, etc. and will likely become one of your most used appliances.

I’d also add a standing desk. I haven’t used one myself but a lot of Parsley Health employees love them.
Given all of the research that has found the correlation between sitting too much and negative health effects such as poor posture and increased risk for cancer and obesity, this is definitely something I am looking to try in 2018.

— Lilli Link, MD

Meditation Class

Photo: MNDFL

Meditation has been proven in scientific studies to reduce anxiety , depression, pain, and improve stress responses and quality of life. These meditation centers are not only a beautiful place to gain the benefits of meditation, but also a welcoming community of people who also value down time, self-care, and spirituality. I love MNDFL or Inscape in NYC.

— Soyona Rafatjah, MD

Essential oil diffuser

These guys are especially helpful at night for those that have trouble relaxing before bed or suffer from insomnia . The trick is finding exactly which essential oil your body likes best for relaxation (a few examples: lavender, eucalyptus, and sandalwood).

When you breathe in essential oil molecules, they stimulate the parts of your brain that serve as the storehouses for emotions and memories, which can influence physical, emotional, and mental health — in this case helping to promote sleep.

Because of this powerful communication with the brain, in addition to promoting sleep you can use essential oils for everything from relaxation to pain relief to decongestants. By diffusing these oils into the air, you can gain the benefits for hours without needing to reapply the oils onto your skin (which should only be done using a carrier oil).

— Kelly Johnston, Health Coach

Instant Pot

Photo: The Kitchn

This is currently my favorite kitchen tool. It’s a 7-in-1 gadget but I mainly use it for pressure and slow cooking. It allows you to whip up simple, quick, healthy meals. I love giving gifts that reinforce a habit someone is working to cultivate. Instant Pot is perfect for the aspiring cook, or any cook looking for some new kitchen inspiration.

Studies have also shown that pressure cooking is the best method to retain vitamins (beta-carotene and ascorbic acid) compared to other forms of cooking.

— Jackie Damboragian, Health Coach

Facial acupuncture

Give the gift of natural skin preservation with facial acupuncture. Studies have shown significant improvements in skin elasticity from facial acupuncture after a period of 5 sessions. You can expect to reduce wrinkles and have a healthy glow. This is perfect for someone in their late 20’s or 30’s.

— Brittany Forman, Health Coach

AYURVEDIC COOKBOOK

Photo: Divya Alter

What to Eat for How You Feel is my favorite cookbook and is perfect for anyone who isn’t afraid to experiment in the kitchen and try out the time-honored system of Ayurveda of seasonal eating for health and nourishment.

I’ve also recently discovered rawnola (granola with unprocessed and raw ingredients) by Grassroots Juicery  which contains both turmeric and coconut oil which are anti-inflammatory. I think it makes for the perfect healthy stocking stuffer!

— Aditi Shah, Yoga Teacher