What to get for Father’s Day? The age-old question that not only stump the children, but often stump the dads as well. Getting a new tie or some socks is always nice, but there are plenty of other ways to celebrate your family. If you’re the kind of father who doesn’t need any more stuff, or if your kids are on the lookout for unique gifts for parents, these fun gift ideas are for you. We’ve included a range of activities and ways to spend some quality time with your children on this special day.

For the Home Chef

Meals bring a family together, and the kitchen is where the magic happens. There’s nothing like a good home-cooked meal to get the conversation flowing around the dinner table. Ask your kids to spend time with you in the kitchen cooking, baking, grilling – whatever culinary experience floats your boat! This makes for a great bonding experience because you get to spend quality time with them and maybe even teach them something new.

For Father’s Day, consider these customizable grill tongs and BBQ cutting boards, or a Himalayan Salt Block, designed to add a nice flavor to seared meats and vegetables. Put those tools to work by throwing a Father’s Day barbecue where you can show off your skills and spend some laid back family time together.

For the Traveler

If you have the travel bug, Father’s Day is a great opportunity to ask for those travel accessories that may not be essentials. A nice passport cover, unique travel guides, upgraded camera accessories… all things that go a little bit further than your suitcase and carry-on. The best part about these gifts is that you can take your children’s thoughtfulness with you everywhere you go.

And for something bigger – ask to go on a trip together! Either suggest to start planning a big trip for next Father’s Day, or plan a short and spontaneous trip for this year. Even just a weekend away is a fun way to spend quality time together. Planning a tropical vacation or international trip may be shooting for the stars, especially when coordinating with multiple family members, so keep it simple with a staycation or simple visit from the kids or grandkids. After all, quality time together is the greatest gift of all.

For the Bookworm

Sometimes, opening up a new book is just what we need. Ask your kids for some new books to add to your collection, whether it’s a book you want or if you want to try something new. Perhaps start reading a new book together and have weekly check-ins for a family book club. This way, you can talk to your kids regularly while sharing a new story together. Alternatively, if your children didn’t get the bookworm gene from you, ask for a subscription to a monthly book service for a few months.

If you love to read but physical books aren’t as convenient as you would like, you may have considered trying eReaders. These eReaders are perfect for those on the go who don’t want to carry around a multitude of books everywhere they go. From cookbooks to comics to biographies to novels, your library can easily be at your fingertips. The Amazon Kindle is the most popular option, and with different models, you can find one in your price range. Ask your kids for an eReader for Father’s Day and you’ll be using this gift for years to come.

For the Health-Conscious

Getting active this summer? Fitness trackers are a great way to stay accountable and pursue your health and fitness goals. You could also ask for a gym membership or workout class that you and the kids can do together. If the gym isn’t your style, a great Father’s Day activity to do together is going outside. This can mean simply going on a hike together, or planning a full-on excursion like surfing or kayaking! Be sure to bring a camera, as sometimes the best gifts from our children are the memories.

If your health goal is to relax rather than get your blood pumping, head to the sauna. Spending time in a sauna can have huge health benefits, and when you’ve raised a family, you know how important parental stress management can be. Infrared saunas can be found in local gyms and spas, or you can install one in your home for your very own sanctuary. And with 1-person saunas to 5-person saunas, you can decide if you want this to be you time or family time!

For the Nature Lover

Even dads love flowers, but if you want to switch it up this year, ask for a plant that lasts longer than a just a few days, such as a miniature bonsai tree, to set up in your home or at work. Alternatively, ask for an herb garden starter kit so it can be multipurpose – for looks and ingredients! Having a plant to care for will remind you of your children every day while bringing nature into your home.

If you want to spend time with your family and still get outside, go on a hike, a bike ride, take a walk around a local community garden, or spend time gardening at home together. Or, head down to the local farmer’s market to enjoy the warmer weather, pick up some fresh, local produce, and spend time with the kids. Don’t forget your reusable tote to keep the planet healthy! Whether it’s fishing, hiking, golfing, or just hanging out, spending time together outside is the perfect Father’s Day celebration.

We hope these unique Father’s Day gift ideas and activities helped you plan for the upcoming holiday. Whether you have your eye on a new piece of tech or are just hoping for a weekend with the kids, this guide to unique gifts for parents will help you get what you ask for this year!

Vacation Fatigue

\vā-ˈkā-shən ˌfə-ˈtēg\ · [vey-key-shuhn fuh–teeg]

noun

The feeling of exhaustion from planning, taking, and recovering from a vacation.

Taking vacations is a wonderful thing! From taking a break from everyday life to bonding with friends and family, there are many benefits to taking a vacation – but getting there can sometimes be a hassle. Planning a trip involves a lot of moving parts, and it can be easy to get caught up in the stress of it all. Unfortunately, this trip-planning stress often brings travelers vacation fatigue even before they take the trip.

Before you plan your trip, it’s important to take a few factors into account for the sake of your sanity and future relaxation. Use these helpful vacation planning tips to make sure your next trip is stress-free and fully enjoyable!

Stress-Free Trip Planning Tips

Set a Goal for Your Vacation

There are many reasons to take a vacation. Whether you’re looking for peaceful relaxation or adventurous exploration, setting a goal for your trip is important. While exploring the streets of the city alone may be exciting to some, others may enjoy the ease of a tour guide better. If trip goals vary, it’s better to learn that early on so you can plan excursions that appeal to everybody and avoid unhappiness during your vacation.

Do Thorough Research

Once you have decided on a goal, you can research where you’d like to travel. For example, are you wanting a destination where English is spoken? Are you willing to do currency exchanges? Do you have time to get required documentation such as passports or visas? If you dislike crowds of tourists, what are peak-seasons? Doing your research beforehand will ensure you’re confident in your vacation destination!

Organize Your Travel Documents

Plane tickets, hotel reservations, metro passes, oh my! Planning a vacation requires many documents to keep track of. Keep a physical trip planner that holds important documents such as tickets, reservations, and legal documentation such as passports. Additionally, many travel apps are available to help organize all your documents in one place, such as TripIt and Google Trips. If going the digital route, still have a physical backup in the event of technology going awry.

Keep Your Itinerary Flexible

Trying to cram a lot of activities into your trip itinerary can leave you feeling rushed and stressed. Plan your trip with leisure time in mind. While it’s wonderful to have some excursions lined up, not having a strict schedule will allow you to enjoy the activities even more. One way to avoid being too booked while still doing all the things on your to-do list is to plan a longer trip. Planning a vacation 10 days or longer is ideal, as it gives you enough time to do activities while acclimating to your destination.

Take a Break from Trip Planning

A big culprit of vacation fatigue is not giving yourself a break from trip planning. While it can be exciting to constantly check weather updates, plan your outfits, and research new excursions for your trip, you don’t want to become mentally exhausted from your trip before you go. Sometimes the constant thinking of a trip can make it feel less like excitement and more like work. If you plan your trip and feel overwhelmed, take a mental break. Try winding down by relaxing in a sauna or meditating.

Square Things Away at Work

Nothing is less relaxing than constantly answering work emails while on vacation. It’s hard to enjoy the city lights or the waves on the beach when you’re worried about what’s going on in the office. Instead, make sure you have a work vacation plan set up. Give your boss and coworkers plenty of information of when you’ll be out, for how long, and how they can reach you – IF they can reach you. Make sure all your deadlines are met before leaving and have a strategy outlined in the event of something urgent happening in your absence.

Line Things Up at Home

To fully relax while on vacation, you need to plan for your home while you plan your trip. If you will be gone for an extended amount of time, be sure you have measures in place to keep the belongings in your home safe. Ask neighbors if they can keep an eye on your house, or hire a house sitter to keep everything in line. This also includes finding care for your pets, whether that’s through a pet sitter or boarding. Pro Tips: Leave a light or TV on in the house so it doesn’t look empty at night while you’re away, and tidy up before leaving so you come home to a clean house.

Pack Your Bags in Advance

Even if you are a travel expert, avoid packing the day of your departure. Pack your suitcase a day or two in advance. This time frame gives you ample time to pack your essentials, make changes to your outfit choices, and ensure everything fits. This is also close enough to your departure date that you can get a general idea of the forecast for your trip and what to pack. Rushing through packing the day-of increases both your stress levels and the chances of you forgetting something.

Have Transportation Arranged

Imagine this: You’re at the end of your stress-free vacation planning, so close to your vacation you can taste it… but your Uber is late and your flight leaves in an hour. The final of the trip planning tips is to have your transportation situated for your trip. Schedule a ride to pick you up at a specific time and bake in some additional buffer time for things like traffic. This counts too for once you get to your destination, as scrambling for a ride to your hotel can be stressful and start your trip on a sour note.

Don’t let vacation fatigue get in the way of enjoying your vacation! Use these simple trip planning trips to ensure your vacation is smooth-sailing from the time you plan your trip to the time you get back home. In no time, you’ll become a master trip planner who knows all the ins and out of stress-free vacationing!

As spring rolls around, it’s the perfect time to detox. The warm weather brings a refresh to nature, so why not renew yourself as well? Spring cleaning doesn’t just have to mean dusting the house and scrubbing the floors. Whether you’re sweating it out in your sauna for a physical detox or donating old clothes to charity, getting rid of the old to make room for the new is just what this season ordered!

Do good this spring cleaning season by cleaning your home, giving back to the community, and renewing yourself!

Spring Clean Your Home

Clean Your Closet
As the cold winter season come to an end, we shed our multiple layers for the warmer weather. This temperature change is a wonderful excuse to go through your closet and organize your clothes. That winter coat, along with your boots, scarves, and other winter accessories, are all fairly bulky clothing items. If your closet is feeling cramped for space, it’s time to figure out a new home for the clothes you aren’t wearing anymore – whether that’s in your attic or donated to a shelter. Start the closet cleanout by dividing your clothes into five sections:

1. What you will be wearing this upcoming season
2. Not needed until next fall/winter
3. To be donated
4. To be sold
5. Damaged or unwearable, to be tossed

Determining what to part with can be difficult, but if you haven’t worn it in a few months and don’t have any occasion to wear it to in the coming month, it’s time to move on. Once your sections are complete, place this season’s clothes in your closet, move last season’s clothes to storage, and take the remaining 3 sections to the appropriate places. This spring clean will leave your closet feeling more manageable and will also help others with the items you no longer need.

Purge Your Pantry & Fridge
Similar to the cleaning of your closet, purging your pantry and fridge can be a daunting task. Many people don’t realize what’s been sitting in their fridge or pantry. It’s best to break these out into separate tasks, taking everything out of the pantry, sorting, organizing, then repeating with the fridge, then the freezer. Look for things such as expiration date, and check things that haven’t passed the date but have been opened. Organize similarly to the closet spring cleaning:

1. Food you are still consuming
2. Food that has not been opened or expired
3. Food that has expired and gone bad
4. Canned and boxed non-perishable goods that can be donated

Once divided, dispose of spoiled food and prepare non-perishables for donation. Before placing the food items back in the fridge or pantry, do a quick clean. This will eliminate any food buildup and odors that may have been lurking under your groceries. Once done, you’ll have an organized kitchen where you can easily navigate your food without wondering if something is still good or not, and you’ll open up shelf space for delicious and fresh spring produce.

Spring Clean Your Body

Do a Detox
Spring cleaning is essentially detoxifying your home, so why not apply it to your body too? For many, the winter months mean holiday eating, covering up with multiple layers, being decommissioned by winter colds, and staying inside to avoid the weather. Now that it’s warmer outside, a spring detox may be in order to rid the body of toxins and get you back to feeling active again. Some simple detox tips include:

1. Sticking to a healthy detox diet
2. Creating an active workout plan
3. Staying hydrated with water
4. Finding ways to sweat

Setting up a spring detox is easy especially when you consider all the season has to offer. Establish a healthy detox diet with all the fresh spring vegetables that become available and find new ways to sweat by doing outdoor activities in the warm weather. On top of that, relaxing in a sauna is a definite boost to any detox plan. This option is great for those days you might not get a chance to go outside and be active or can be an addition to your new workout and detox diet plan. Sweating in an infrared sauna helps facilitate weight loss to help shed that extra winter warmth, as well!

Make Time for Your Mind
Setting time aside to focus on mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health. Thankfully, spring tends to bring warmer weather, which leads to increased happiness. While this boost in Vitamin D is wonderful, life can still get stressful, and it’s easy to feel down even if the sun is up. Take time for you this spring, and detox the stress from your life. Take a leisurely stroll around the park, meditate in an infrared sauna, or even go all out and take a trip this spring. If you feel the need to take a mental break, you can follow a few of these simple tips:

1. Take a walk and stretch for 5 minutes
2. Try aromatherapy and chromotherapy
3. Meditate at home or in a yoga class
4. Practice breathing exercises
5. Call a friend to chat

The mental spring cleaning is simply clearing away negative thoughts and reaching mental clarity. Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, is hard to shake after a long season of coldness, but with the help of meditation, the sunshine, and even chromotherapy in a sauna can pull you out of the winter blues and into the spring happiness. When you are happy, you are more likely to feel motivated to take on the rest of the season without a hitch!

This spring, take full advantage of renewing your life. Flourish this season by lightening your load both physically and mentally, and you’ll see what a difference it makes to be a little more organized and a lot happier. Add these spring cleaning tips to your arsenal this season for a refreshing rest of the year.

We are being exposed to more toxic chemicals that can do serious harm, or even permanent harm, to our bodies. Let’s look at the top 10 toxic chemicals and what you need to know about each of them.

1. Phthalates

Most products with synthetic fragrance, such as air fresheners, dish soap, laundry detergent, perfumes, and colognes contain phthalates. In short, anything that doesn’t have a natural scent is suspect. Phthalates are also found in plastic bottles, vinyl flooring, shower curtains, cosmetics, pharmaceutical drugs, and even some foods.

What they do: Phthalates have been linked to birth defects, cancer, ADHD, thyroid dysfunction, and other serious conditions. They are considered endocrine disruptors, which are chemicals that are capable of influencing the body’s hormone systems and can produce adverse developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune effects in both humans and animals.

What you can do: Read labels on your home care products, cosmetics, and perfumes. Choose ones that only use natural fragrances or are labeled as “no fragrance/fragrance-free.” Develop the sense of smell to distinguish between fake scents and natural ones, and avoid products with “fake” smells. 

2. Bisphenol-A

Bisphenol-A, or BPAs, are commonly found in polycarbonate plastic containers, epoxy resins, food container liners, plastic bottles, and packaging. Studies have shown that food containers with BPA (and even some containers labeled BPA-free) can degrade when microwaved and release BPA into the food that is then ingested.

What it does:

BPA is a synthetic estrogen, and an endocrine disruptor. BPA in the body has been linked to diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and fertility problems.

What you can do:

Avoid plastic bottles and containers and switch to stainless steel and glass. Never heat plastic containers in the microwave, and look for “BPA-free” containers when plastic can’t be avoided. Avoid canned food, opting for fresh or frozen instead.

3. Oxybenzone

Oxybenzone is a chemical used in some sunscreen, lip balm, lipstick, moisturizers, and nail polish.

What it does: Oxybenzone may block harmful UV rays, but it has also been linked to endocrine disruption and cancer. It has also been known to cause coral reef die-off in some oceans.

What you can do: Read labels and avoid this ingredient. Find a sunscreen that uses zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, avobenzone, or other safe sun blockers.

4. Heavy Metals

Heavy metals, like cadmium, chromium, mercury, lead, and arsenic are ubiquitous in our world. They can be found in the air, water, dust, foods, paint, dyes, and many other sources.

What they do: Heavy metals are toxic for a number of reasons. For example, cadmium is linked to lung inflammation after acute exposure and lung cancer with chronic exposure. Short-term exposure to mercury can cause diarrhea, fever, and vomiting, while long-term exposure can cause neurotic disorders, tremors, and kidney disorders.

What you can do: Always eat organic food, filter or distill your drinking water, and install a good HEPA air cleaner in your home. Only eat approved fish and others sparingly. Quit smoking and use an infrared sauna at least three times a week to detox regularly. Be aware of arsenic in rice and consume low-arsenic varieties. 

5. Flame Retardants (DECA & PBDEs)

Flame retardants are routinely added to furniture, fabrics, plastics, insulation, and many other materials found in our homes. They are comprised of a collection of chemicals and PBDEs that are chemically similar to toxic chemicals that were banned under the Stockholm Convention.

What they do: Flame retardants have been linked to cancer, learning disabilities, lower IQs, hormone disruption, and reduced fertility.

What you can do: Flame retardants are especially harmful to young children, who may ingest flame retardant dust that has settled on carpets and other surfaces in the home. Toddlers have been found to have four or five times the level of these chemicals in their bodies compared to their mothers. To avoid this, make sure children wash their hands regularly, and dust in the home should be cleaned by mopping and vacuuming. When buying new home products, check to make sure they don’t have these toxic chemicals added. 

6. VOCs

VOCs are organic compounds that turn into gases or vapors. These can be found in polluted air and around the home. VOCs are released from cars, burning fireplaces, burning natural gas, dry cleaning, and solvents from paints and glues.

What they do: The harm caused by VOCs can vary, depending on the chemicals involved. Benzene and formaldehyde, for example, are VOCs that are known cancer-causing chemicals. Repeated exposure to VOCs can also cause lung and kidney cancers, as well as neurological disorders.

What you can do: Avoid anything with a sharp “chemical” smell and cigarette smoke. Use low-VOC paints, and eco-friendly glues and furniture wax. Try to purchase and use only natural fiber carpets, clothing, and furnishings. Use only “eco-safe” cleaning supplies. 

7. Dioxin

Dioxin is a highly-toxic carcinogen, made up of a group of chemicals that remain present while traveling up the food chain. Dioxins are associated with waste incineration, coal-fired power plants, pesticides, and cigarette smoking.

What they do: Dioxins have been linked to reproductive and developmental problems, lung cancer, increased risk of diabetes and heart disease, hormone disruption, and liver damage.

What you can do: Be aware of hazardous waste site incinerators in your area and stay away from them. Symptoms of dioxin contact can include burning of the eyes and throat, blurred vision, dizziness, muscle pain, and vomiting. Consult with your doctor if you think you have come in contact with dioxins. 

8. Pesticides

Pesticides are found in many products and are designed to keep weeds, fungi, insects, and rodents away.

What they do: These chemicals can be inhaled or absorbed through the skin, and prolonged, persistent exposure can cause cancer, birth defects, and neurological disorders.

What you can do: Research any bug, weed, or fungi treatment before bringing it into your home or garden. This includes bug repellant, flea and tick sprays, and algaecides for the swimming pool. Always buy organic food and filter your drinking water to avoid ingesting pesticides that contaminate groundwater. 

9. Perfluorooctanoic Acid

Perfluorooctanoic Acid, or PFOA, has been used in the US to manufacture stain-resistant carpets and fabrics and non-stick pots and pans. PFOA is found in low levels in the entire general US population.

What it does: PFOA remains in the environment for quite some time, as it does not break down easily. It can be found in the dust, air, and soil, and can also be ingested through food and water. PFOA has been linked to thyroid disease, testicular and kidney cancer, preeclampsia, and high cholesterol.

What you can do: Avoid using coated pans, and switch to cast iron or other safer cooking vessels. If you believe your health has been compromised by PFOA, contact your doctor or call the Poison Control Center. 

10. Radon

Radon is a radioactive, odorless, colorless gas that comes out of the ground in areas that have high levels of decaying uranium.

What it does: Radon causes 50% of all the lung cancer deaths in the US. Even minimal exposure carries the same risk as smoking a half a pack of cigarettes a day.

What to do: Radon detection kits can be purchased online or in stores for less than $20. Radon detection meters are also available online and start at around $200.

Keeping your home and family safe from hazardous chemicals may seem impossible, but small steps will help you avoid these top 10 major toxic chemicals. To learn more about the significance of toxic chemicals, and a multitude of other factors and habits that impact our bodies wellness, view or download the new Total Wellness ebook.