Why This Year, the Best Gift Is Rest
As the holiday frenzy fades and the New Year approaches, we tend to focus on resolutions: working harder, training tougher, achieving more. But what if the secret to finally sticking to those big goals wasn’t more hustle—but better rest?
Sleep, stress, and energy form the foundation of every intention. Without quality rest, your brain fogs, your body lags, and your motivation fizzles by February. That’s why the most powerful “New Year, New Me” mindset starts with the basics—and a few tools to support them.
Here’s our curated list of gifts (for yourself or others) that promote better sleep, l ess stress, and more energy—all year long.
1. Nasal Strips for Deeper Sleep & Better Breathing
Breathing through your nose (not your mouth) is one of the simplest shifts you can make to improve sleep quality, recovery, and energy. But congestion, stress, or habit can block that natural flow.
Intake Breathing Nasal Strips use a discreet, breathable magnetic strip to gently open the nostrils, making it easier to breathe through your nose—especially at night.
Why it works:
- Reduces snoring and sleep interruptions
- Encourages deeper, slower breathing
- Improves oxygen intake and mental clarity
- Beard-friendly and skin-safe for nightly use
Great gift for: Athletes, tired parents, mouth breathers, partners of snorers
2. Mouth Tape for Habit-Building (Without the Drama
Nasal breathing is ideal—but some of us fall back into mouth breathing, especially during sleep. Enter mouth tape: a gentle adhesive strip that encourages you to keep your lips sealed and your nose in action.
Pair this with nasal strips for maximum impact (but always consult your doctor if you have nasal blockages).
Popular picks:
- Intake’s new mouth tape (coming soon!)
- SomniFix (gentle for beginners)
- VIO2 (hypoallergenic option)
Great gift for: Health hackers, sleep biohackers, new habit starters
3. Weighted Blankets for Nervous System Calm
If anxiety tends to spike after the holidays, a weighted blanket can provide surprising relief. Deep Pressure Stimulation (DPS) mimics the calming feeling of a hug—triggering a parasympathetic nervous response.
Top benefits:
- Helps calm stress before bed
- May reduce cortisol and increase melatonin
- Promotes stillness and less tossing
Great gift for: Overthinkers, teens, anxious sleepers, or anyone trying to sleep without doomscrolling
4. Red Light Therapy for Energy & Sleep Cycle Rese
Red light therapy panels have been gaining attention for their ability to support circadian rhythm, stimulate cellular repair, and combat seasonal fatigue.
Short sessions in the morning or before bed may help regulate melatonin production and reduce sleep latency.
Great gift for: Jet-lagged travelers, shift workers, early risers, and wellness nerds
5. A Bedtime Ritual Kit (That Actually Gets Used)
Skip the 20-step nighttime routine. A solid ritual can be just three calming tools:
- Nasal strip (to breathe better)
- Aromatherapy oil (like lavender or sandalwood)
- Soft music or white noise
Build a simple box with these essentials and label it “Do Not Disturb—Rest in Progress.”
Great gift for: People who “don’t do self-care,” new parents, wellness minimalists
6. A Real Alarm Clock (Not Your Phone)
Starting the year with better mornings means breaking up with your phone in bed. An analog or sunrise alarm clock helps you wake up without diving straight into emails, doomscrolling, or social media spikes.
Great gift for: Anyone trying to cut screen time or protect their cortisol in the AM
7. A Subscription to Calm or Headspace
Mindfulness isn’t just trendy—it’s one of the most science-backed ways to reduce stress, improve focus, and boost sleep.
Give a subscription and actually use it together. Meditate for 3 minutes a day, or even just listen to wind-down stories.
Great gift for: Burned-out coworkers, students, couples, or yourself
Start Small. Rest Big.
In a culture obsessed with pushing harder, faster, and longer, the most rebellious thing you can do this year is pause. Breathe through your nose. Go to bed early. Choose recovery.
Whether you’re aiming to run farther, stress less, or just show up more present in 2026—it all starts with one restful breath.
