As far as we’re concerned, there’s no better way to show mom how much you love her than by investing in something that helps her live a healthy life. We’ve put together some unique health and wellness gifts that might not be on your typical gift-giving list, but won’t fail to make mom smile. Better still, we’re pretty certain she’ll put them all to great use! And, just remember, a healthy mom is a happy mom.
1. Premium Air Filter
Like we said, this isn’t your typical gift-giving list! But who wants to breath in polluted air? Not you, and definitely not your mom. In fact, did you know that, according to the EPA, indoor air can be up 2-5 times more polluted than outdoor air? Considering a lot of people spend up to 90% of their time indoors (especially the elderly,) this can lead to more exposure to pollutants than we imagine.
A good air filter is a great fix. We love two in particular: The Air Doctor and Molekule. They adopt slightly different technologies, but both are greatly effective at reducing airborne pollutants.
2. Plants
If your budget doesn’t quite stretch to a professional air filter, the next best thing is a plant. According to a Clean Air Study by NASA in the late ‘80’s, house plants contribute to healthy indoor air by helping to remove airborne contaminants such as benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, and ammonia. Plants that make the most impact include Florist’s Chrysanthemum and Peace Lily, but essentially the bigger and leafier the plant, the better it functions as an air purifier.
So next time you want to get mom a gift, pass by the cut flower stand and pick her up a plant (or two.)
3. Medication Management Device
If your mother is lucky enough to be prescription medication-free and focuses on staying healthy with supplements, she probably faces the same issue most of us do: actually remembering to take them! Or, if like the majority of Americans in middle age and beyond she takes multiple medications, there’s the very real concern of forgetting a dose, mixing meds up, or taking too much.
Either way, this intelligent medication management device by HERO is a life-changer (and can even be a life-saver!) Upload up to 10 different medications (and/or supplements) and it will sort and dispense them on schedule and remind you to take them. It will even alert a caregiver if mom forgets her meds through a smart app. Can’t ask for more than that!
4. Smart Watch
Do you feel like mom sits too much during the day? Or that she isn’t getting the quality sleep that she should at night? How about steps? Does she think she’s doing more exercise than she really is? It sounds like she might be the perfect candidate for a smart watch! Whether you look at investing in the ubiquitous Apple Watch, or one of the other varieties such as the Samsung Gear Watch, a smart watch can (literally) keep her on her toes.
5. Essential Oil Kit
You are probably familiar with the world of essential oils to some degree by now, but these natural oils -- extracted from plants and often used in aromatherapy -- offer a wide range of benefits beyond purely smelling good. When used in a diffuser they fill a room with their aroma (which can reportedly positively impact mood and brain function) but they can also be used topically and internally under guidance (depending on the oil and whether it is marked for internal use.) Many people use essential oils as a natural alternative for all kinds of ailments, but even if mom only uses them to make her house smell delightful, it will already be a win. Edens Garden offers a range of gift sets depending on your budget.
No matter what you end up getting mom, remember one thing: quality time together is just about the best gift you can give!