10 Great Gifts for Longevity, Healthy Aging and Staying Young

Tea is a great drink. It has tons of antioxidants and a touch of caffeine (if you want). There is a big difference in taste when tea is made properly. Look for loose tea leaves, as long as possible, and avoid any tea that seems more like "tea dust." This tea maker is one I use everyday myself. Sure, it seems pricey, but because of how easy it makes to brew a delicious cup of tea, I have tea daily instead of just occasionally. So for the budding tea-lover in your life, this makes a great gift.

This palm-sized device helps to train a person in relaxation. By monitoring both pulse and breathing, the stress eraser seeks to teach you to undo your own stress response. It may seem pricey, but I have used it for myself and clients. $300 can be a bargain to help a chronically stressed person.

We could all use a little more exercise, and walking is one of the best ways to get more. Give the gift of walking by making sure that your special someone has a good pair of shoes to hit the pavement. Good shoes could mean the difference between energetic walks and painful ones.

This book is good. Really good. It covers most aspects of longevity in a not-dumbed-down-but-still-easy-to-understand way. Give this book to convince your loved one to make some changes and find ways to be healthier and live longer.

Nothing says, "I love you" like the gift of dental floss. Really, helping someone to floss not only prevents dental problems, it can also decrease their risk for heart attacks. Why? Because when your gums are infected (gingivitis), your body mounts an immune response. This increases inflammation throughout the body. Inflammation is one of the causes of heart problems. This handy, high-tech flosser is just the thing to jump-start a flossing habit. It is easy and even a little fun -- a perfect stocking stuffer!

Forget magazine subscriptions -- give vegetables instead. Many local farms have vegetable subscriptions plans. Your loved one would get a box of in-season, locally-grown vegetables. This can inspire new recipes and culinary adventures that are healthy and delicious. These fresh, local, in-season vegetables taste tons better than the preserved and shipped veggies you find in the supermarket. Support a local farmer, help the environment, eat delicious food and be healthier all at the same time.

Dark chocolate is filled with chemicals that help the body make repairs. Give the gift of chocolate this year. Be sure that the cocoa percentage is at least 70 (otherwise the benefits are significantly reduced). Find the best chocolate that you can. I like the Lake Champlain chocolates for good flavor with high cocao content. If you're lucky, your special someone will share his or her gift with you.

Meditation is one of the best things you can do for your brain. Meditation not only helps relieve stress, it also provides emotional balance and helps keep your brain sharp as you age. A comfortable meditation cushion may be just the thing to inspire your loved one. What better gift could there be than stress relief and peace of mind?

Music has been shown to increase the intensity of peoples' workouts. The iPod shuffle is a simple and great way for someone to add a little music to their exercise. The tiny shuffle is basically a little clip that you can wear on your clothes. This makes it super easy to use. There is no screen, so the battery life is great. Simple, easy and could help ramp up someone's workout.

Sleep is the most underrated way to improve health. As a nation, we are chronically sleep-deprived. Eye pillows can really help people relax and fall asleep. By creating complete darkness, they help the body to know it is nighttime. They can also help provide great and refreshing naps during the day by blocking out light.