15 health and mental health gift ideas for 2024

As the holidays get closer, consider buying gifts that help your friends and loved ones care for themselves. Health and mental health gifts may be the ultimate gift idea and they’re great for giving yourself as well. In this article, we share 15 health and mental health gift ideas — from gym subscriptions that get people moving to meditation app subscriptions to give them mental health support.

Free consultations available with select providers only.

Get a free consultation

And find an affordable, caring provider for all your healthcare needs

Find a provider

Free consultations available with select providers only.

1. Gym membership or fitness class pass

A gym pass lets your friends try new workout classes, meet people with similar interests, and get expert tips from trainers. Since you’ve paid for it, they won’t worry about monthly fees and can focus on working out. It’s a gift that helps them stay active and meet new friends while doing something good for their health.

Best for

• Almost anyone who wants to exercise more

Ideas

• Gold’s Gym: Gold’s Gym offers access to equipment, group exercise classes in cardio, strength training, spinning, and yoga, pools, basketball courts, saunas, childcare and more. 
• 24-Hour Fitness: 24-Hour Fitness is open all day and night, so people can work out whenever they want. People can use equipment and access cycling, dance fitness, yoga, cardio, and other classes.
• ClassPass: ClassPass lets people try fitness classes, from yoga to dance at thousands of different gyms, fitness studios, salons, and spas — all with just one pass. 

Cost and where to buy

• Gold’s Gym: Annual memberships vary by location but average roughly $348 across  locations 
• 24-Hour Fitness: 24-Hour Fitness offers 2 main membership types. The Gold membership costs between $264 to $324 annually. A Platinum membership runs from $300 to $398 per year
• ClassPass gift card: Memberships of ClassPass range from $19 to $299 per month, depending on the number of credits you want. Gifts, cards start at $50, and you can pick any amount higher than that 

2. Meal delivery kit service 

A meal delivery kit saves time and makes cooking easier. It helps people learn new recipes and cooking skills while enjoying fresh ingredients or fully prepared meals ready to heat and eat  delivered to their door. It also encourages healthy eating habits by providing balanced meals with the right portions.

Best for

• Anyone who doesn’t want to spend time cooking
• Parents who want healthy family meals
• People trying to lose weight

Ideas

• HelloFresh: A meal kit service that sends fresh ingredients and recipes to your door. Choose from meal plans that fit your friend’s taste and family size. Everything comes measured and ready to cook
• CookUnity: A meal service where chefs make the food and deliver it ready to heat and eat. Your gift recipient can enjoy delicious, restaurant-style meals at home
• Factor: A healthy meal delivery service that sends healthy chef-made meals ready to heat serve

Cost and where to buy

• HelloFresh: Gift a HelloFresh card of $75, $90, $125, or $160 good for any meal plan.
• CookUnity: Gift a CookUnity card for any round amount from $5 to $500.
• Factor: Gift a Factor card for $90 to $150.

3. Mental health apps

A mental health app subscription makes a great gift. Many apps offer features that may include relaxation guides and mood tracking. Some mental health apps help users practice cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques by identifying behavioral patterns and triggers. Your friend can explore which tools work best for them on their phone.

Best for

• People feeling stressed from work or life
• Anyone having trouble sleeping or worrying a lot
• People who want a quick tool to help them handle daily stress

Ideas

• Happify that uses positive psychology and CBT concepts to help users improve their mental health and well-being
• Daylio Journal for tracking mood and activity to better understand feelings and manage the day
• Liven: Improving Wellbeing with  behavioral techniques, mini courses, mood-tracking and well-being tests to help with whatever someone needs

Cost and where to get

• Happify: Free. Includes in app-purchases that unlock added content.  App store | Google Play
• Daylio: Free. Includes in app-purchases that unlock added content.  App store | Google Play
• Liven: Free. Includes in app-purchases that unlock added content. App Store  | Google Play

4. Light therapy lamp

A light therapy lamp emits bright light that mimics natural sunlight. It is especially useful for people with seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression that affects people during the winter months. The lamp’s bright light helps people regulate their circadian rhythm/sleep cycle. Using it for 30 minutes a day may help reduce the symptoms of depression and improve energy and mood.

Best for

• Office workers who are stuck indoors all-day
• Night shift workers who need to reset their body clocks
• Anyone who wants to brighten their space during winter days
• People dealing with the winter blues or SAD

Ideas

• SUXIO Light Therapy Lamp
• Verilux HappyLight Lucent
• VUSIHOO Light Therapy Lamp

Cost and where to buy

• SUXIO LIght Therapy Lamp: $19.99 on Amazon.com
• Verilux HappyLight Lucent:  $39.99  on Amazon.com
• VUSIHOO Light Therapy Lamp: $39.98  on Amazon.com

5. Meditation app subscription

A meditation app subscription gives people access to guided meditations. Different apps offer everything from short calming breaks to sleep guides. Subscribers can try different meditation styles, join special courses, and use premium features.

Best for

• Beginners who want to learn meditation basics
• Busy people who need flexible practice times
• Anyone looking to build a regular meditation routine

Examples

• Headspace with guided meditation and mindfulness practices that help reduce stress, improve focus, and promote overall mental well-being
• Calm offers meditation, sleep, and relaxation resources that enhance mental wellness and help users manage stress 
• Happier encourages users to cultivate gratitude and positivity through daily reflections and community support to help foster a more optimistic mindset

Cost and where to buy

• Headspace: Gift a Headspace subscription for $38.99 (3 months) or $69.99 (1 year)
• Calm: Gift a Calm subscription for yearly access at $69.99 or lifetime access for $399.99
• Happier: Gift a Happier subscription for $49.99 for 4 months or $99.99 for a full year

6. Standing desk

A standing desk lets people switch between sitting and standing to help with posture and back pain. And moving — especially standing — more can boost energy and focus. Having the option to stand can help someone avoid afternoon fatigue. 

Best for

• Anyone working at a desk for long periods of time
• Anyone with back pain from too much sitting

Examples

• Furmax Electric Height Adjustable Standing Desk
• Agilestic 55 x 24 Inches Height Adjustable Electric Standing Desk
• Amztabler Small Standing Desk Adjustable Height

Cost and where to buy

• Furmax Electric Height Adjustable Standing Desk: $119.98 on Amazon.com 
• Agilestic Height Adjustable Electric Standing Desk: $179.99 on Amazon.com 
• Amztabler Small Standing Desk Adjustable Height: $69.99 on Amazon.com 

7. Spa gift certificate or pass

A spa gift card empowers your friend or loved one to take time to relax and care for themselves. They can pick their favorite treatments — like massages to ease tired muscles or facials to refresh their skin. It’s a thoughtful way to help someone slow down and feel pampered.

Best for

• Busy parents or individuals who need a break
• People with stressful jobs
• Friends who need some quiet time to recharge

Ideas

• SpaFinder gift card works at thousands of spas, salons, and wellness places and for any service — from massages to facials — and to buy spa products online

Cost and where to buy

• From $25 to $2,000 at SpaFinder gift card

8. Exercise equipment

Exercise equipment helps people stay fit right at home. Having dumbbells, resistance bands, or an exercise bike on-hand makes it easier to work out. Exercise equipment helps them stick to their fitness goals and save time by not traveling to a gym.

Best for

• Anyone wanting to build their home gym
• Busy people who can’t go to the gym regularly

Ideas

• Exercise bike for an at home stationary exercise option for cardio workouts
• Dumbbells for targeting various muscle groups and for upper and lower body workouts
• Resistance bands for strength training using a versatile, portable, and adjustable resistance to improve muscle tone and flexibility without bulky equipment

Cost and where to buy

• Exercise bike: $100 to $2,500 — find exercise bikes on Amazon.com
• Adjustable dumbbells: $24 to $800 — find dumbbells on Amazon.com
• Resistance bands: $5 to $60 — find resistance bands on Amazon.com 

9. Weekend health or yoga retreat

A weekend retreat gives people time away from daily stress to focus on their mental health. They can spend a few days learning ways to increase relaxation — from yoga to meditation. And a peaceful setting helps their minds rest. 

Best for

• Anyone feeling burned out or who wants or needs a break
• Anyone who needs to reset or is looking for a sense of renewal
• Wellness enthusiasts

Ideas

• BookRetreats gift card lets your friend pick any wellness trip they like — from yoga and meditation to health breaks. They can choose when and where to go, and the gift card never expires, so there’s no rush to book.

Cost and where to buy

• BookRetreats gift card: Gift a BookRetreats card in any amount between $50 and $5,000

10. Air purifier

An air purifier makes the air cleaner. It filters out dust, pollen, pet dander, mold spores, smoke, cooking and chemical fumes, and other tiny particles that can make people sneeze or cough. Cleaner air can help people breathe easier and sleep better, especially if they have allergies or asthma. 

Best for

• People with allergies or asthma
• Anyone who wants cleaner air at home

Ideas

• IQAir Atem X Smart Air Purifier
• COWAY Air Purifiers for Home

Cost and where to buy

• IQAir Atem X Smart Air Purifier: $1,399 on Amazon.com
• COWAY Air Purifiers for Home: $148 on Amazon.com

11. Meal planning session with a nutritionist

A session with a nutritionist can help people learn how to eat better and make healthier food choices. The expert looks at their diet, daily schedule, and health needs and can create a meal plan that’s easy to follow and fits their lifestyle and health needs.

Best for

• People who want to eat healthier but don’t know where to start
• People trying to lose weight the right way
• Anyone with health issues who needs a special diet
• Busy people who want quick, healthy meal ideas

Cost

• Varies based on the nutritionist’s experience, location, and the meal plan. Consider giving a Visa gift card to cover the cost, with a note specifying it’s for nutritionist services and with some ideas of local options.

Where to get or buy

• To find a local nutritionist, consider local health clinics or select gyms
• Get a Visa gift card

12. Weighted blanket

A weighted blanket adds gentle pressure that many people find soothing at bedtime. The cozy weight helps create a comfortable sleep environment. 

Best for

• People who have trouble sleeping
• Anyone who feels anxious 
• Light sleepers who wake up easily

Ideas

•  Casaluna 50″x70″ 12lbs Solid Knit Weighted Blanket

Cost and where to buy

• $83.40 for a Casaluna Weighted Blanket on Target.com

13. Indoor plants that help purify the air

Indoor plants do more than just look good. The right plants can remove pollutants from the air. And research backs up the power of plants beyond cleaner air — they help lower anxiety and improve focus. Plants also boost happiness and productivity while helping make indoor spaces more enjoyable.

Best for

• Anyone
• People who want fresher air at home

Air-cleaning plants

• Snake plant
• Peace lily
• Spider plant

Cost and where to buy

• Snake plant: $18 to $35 depending on size and variety at local garden and home centers and online plant shops
• Peace lily: $15 to $40 depending on size and variety at local garden and home centers and online plant shops
• Spider plant: $10 to $30 depending on size and variety at local garden and home centers and online plant shops

Gift the gift of health and mental health today

Health and mental health gift ideas help your friends and family stay healthy and can show how much you care.