The Gift of Health

Dec 18, 2023

By Stephanie Simons,
Head Pharmacist,
Lindo’s Pharmacy in Devonshire

This time of year, we tend to think about chocolates, movies and mince pies for all! While it’s perfectly fine to treat your friends and family with indulgent gifts, the best presents can help improve their lives – and a great way to do that is to boost their health. A pharmacy might not be the first stop for your holiday shopping, but you might be surprised to find some great options available that make your loved ones feel great!

Vitamin gummies

Vitamins come in many forms, from traditional tablets to sachets that dissolve in drinks. You can also take your daily vitamins as a gummy sweet! More luxurious, they’ll give your loved ones all the benefits of a vitamin tablet with the added fun of a sweet treat.

Choose Vitamin A like Nature’s Truth Beta-Carotene (which is converted to vitamin A in the body) to helping their body’s natural defence against illness and infection, Vitamin B (Berocca, B-Complex) to support the nervous system and energy release, or Vitamin C (Redoxon, Haliborange, Emergen-C), helping to protect cells and keep them healthy, maintaining healthy skin, blood vessels, bones and cartilage. Unsure which would suit? A multi vitamin like Centrum, One-A-Day or Rainbow Light tablets or gummies is a great all-rounder!

Relaxation

Has your friend or family member had a stressful year? The pharmacy has a wide range of products to help them find calm. Bath salts or oils like Aura Cacia or Nature’s Truth Essential oils can turn a simple bath into a luxurious experience that helps relax after a hard day. Candles like Glade are also a brilliant way to introduce aromatherapy to anywhere in the house.

CBD products can also help reduce anxiety and improve sleep. Though originating in the same marijuana plant as Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) – the psychoactive drug more commonly known as ‘weed’ – CBD is a different chemical compound, without the intoxicating, potentially dangerous effects of THC.

With a calming affect but none of the dangerous properties of cannabis, CBD oils and tablets (USA Hemp or Upstate Elevator Company), or drinks like Trip are an effective way of calming anxiety, stress or as an alcohol alternative for those reducing their intake.

Beauty products

Skin care is a popular festive gift, but there’s no need to pay a premium for luxury brands. Pharmacies sell brands we trust to treat skin effectively without the luxury mark-up. For oily skin, try something with salicylic acid like Neutrogena Acne or Aveeno Calming, while dry skin will love a rich moisturiser like Cerave, Cetaphil and Aveeno. For sensitive skin, try a calming, fragrance-free product like Epaderm or Hydromol.

If your loved one is more into hair care, a moisturising hair mask like Cream of Nature Honey Avocado or Whole Blends Honey Treasures works wonders on all hair types. Argan Oil hair mask is also a popular choice for anyone who uses heat styling, as it protects and adds shine!

Pregnancy gifts

Expecting a grandchild? Neice or nephew on the way? If there’s a special expectant mother in your life around, the pharmacy is the perfect place for festive shopping. Folic acid products like N.B. Folic and Pregnacare are very helpful for all pregnant women, but if looking for something more comforting, body oils like Bio-Oil can help calm itchy stomachs and reduce stretch marks, or specialist teas like Roobios and Red Raspberry Leaf can soothe discomfort in the later months.

Stay safe

Health is a personal thing and you shouldn’t buy medicinal products for someone else. When shopping for gifts, it’s a good idea to have a chat with your pharmacist. Not only can we make helpful suggestions, but we can make sure products like vitamins are suitable for the recipient and don’t have any risks attached. Receive a gift from a pharmacy? We can help there too.

So, if you’re wondering where to start with the holiday shopping, why not start at the pharmacy? For what gift could be better – than good health?

Stephanie Simons is the head pharmacist at Lindo’s Pharmacy in Devonshire. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and has been practicing for over 20 years. She is a registered pharmacist with the Bermuda Pharmacy Council and is a member of the Bermuda Pharmaceutical Association.