Sharing some of my favorite gift ideas for fitness and wellness enthusaists, biohackers, and *scrunchy* friends (or even yourself!) this holiday season.

Hi friends! How are you? I hope that you’re having an amazing week so far. It’s a quick week that ends with shopping and pie – we’ve got this!!

It’s been a busy one over here. Monday night was Liv’s confirmation, so we celebrated with dinner and crazy milkshakes afterwards. The Pilot was on a trip, but I’m excited that he’ll be here for Thanksgiving. What do you have planned? We’re going to my uncle’s as usual, and then heading to Trevor and Danielle’s for a bit.

For today’s post, I wanted to share a roundup of my favorite wellness, fitness, and biohacking gifts! This is a perfect gift for your *scrunchy* friends… or even yourself. Let’s be real; the best sales of the year happen this weekend, so it’s the perfect time to stock up on wellness essentials, especially if you have health-related goals as we head into the new year.

It’s also worth mentioning here that a lot of the things on this list are nice/fun to have, but not essential. The most important health tools are free, like sunshine, stress management, connection, movement, and solid nutrition.

If you have an favorite wellness purchases from the year, please feel free to link in the comments below!

More of this year’s gift guides:

For Her

For Him

For the Kids

For Tweens

Everything is linked on my ShopMy for easy access and this page has a roundup of some of my top picks, too.

Holiday Gift Guide for Wellness, Fitness, and Biohacking

Home and kitchen:

Air Doctor. Clean air makes such a huge difference, especially during this time of the year with allergies and colds floating around.

Nontoxic pots and pans. We love Caraway and OurPlace. Each year on Black Friday, I usually treat myself to a new OurPlace pot or pan. Their air fryer is so cute, too!

Water filter. Read more

Sharing some of my best tips for using red light therapy at home, including how to use red light and what to look for.

Hi friends! How are you? I hope you had an amaizng weekend! Ours was packed with fall fun and now we’re headed back into a week with travel and more events. The fall chaos is in full swing, but I’m loving it.

When things are crazy, I try to stick to the pillars of my routine as closely as possible: daily walks, strength training a few times each week, meditation, hydration, nutrition, and my favorite biohacking tools, like red light.

If you’ve been hanging out here for a while, you know I’m a huge fan of wellness tools. Between mom life, work, and workouts, anything that makes recovery, energy, and skin health easier (and more convenient) is a win.

One of the tools that’s been a total game-changer for me is Red light therapy.

It’s one of those things that seems almost too good to be true – glowing skin, reduced inflammation, better recovery, deeper sleep – but the research behind it is pretty incredible. Today, I wanted to chat about what look for in a red light device, how to use it effectively, and the pros and cons of at-home red light therapy (plus two of my favorite brands: HigherDOSE and Lumebox).

Red Light Therapy at Home: Device Guide & Best Use Tips

What Is Red Light Therapy?

Red light therapy (also called low-level light therapy or photobiomodulation) uses specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light to help your cells produce more energy (ATP).

Think of it like this: your skin and tissues have tiny receptors that absorb light the way plants absorb sunlight. That energy boosts your cells’ performance – improving circulation, supporting collagen production, easing inflammation, and even speeding up muscle recovery.

What to Look For in a Red Light Therapy Device

Before investing in an at-home red light device, it helps to know what actually matters.

Here’s what I recommend checking:

1. Wavelength Range

Look for a device that offers both red light (around 660 nm) and near-infrared light (around 850 nm).

Red light supports skin health and surface-level rejuvenation, while near-infrared penetrates deeper into muscle and tissue for recovery and inflammation support.

2. Power Density (Irradiance)

A good at-home device should deliver between 30–100 mW/cm² at a few inches away from your skin. This ensures you’re getting a therapeutic dose of light energy without long exposure times.

3. Treatment Area

If you want to focus on your face or neck, a portable panel (like the Lumebox) is perfect.

If you want a full-body experience, a larger panel or wrap (like the High

What’s worth the hype and what isn’t…

You know I love a good wellness gadget, especially when it actually helps you feel better. I’ve tried a lot over the years – some were gamechangers, others… not so much.

There’s so much noise in the biohacking world right now that it can feel like you need a $10,000 setup just to have decent energy or sleep through the night. Spoiler alert: you don’t.

Here are some biohacking products (and trends) that I think are totally overrated – and what to do instead for real, sustainable results.

(worth mentioning here that my fave Lumebox and castor oil pack are not overrated)

Biohacking habits that I think are overrated

1. Taking a Million Supplements “Just Because”

If you’ve ever looked at someone’s supplement shelf and thought, “Should I be taking more??” –  you’re not alone. But loading up on random pills without a clear reason can burden your liver, drain your wallet, and possibly make symptoms worse.

Many of us are taking things our bodies don’t even need – or can’t absorb properly – because we saw someone on TikTok recommend it.

Try this instead:

Get functional testing done first. This could include minerals, gut health, inflammation, hormones, and food sensitivities. I do this with my 1:1 clients, and it changes everything. You’ll save money and get better results by only supporting what your body actually needs. Testing removes the guesswork. If you’re interested in leanring more, email me gina@fitnessista.com subject TESTING.

2. Cold Plunges for Everyone

Cold plunges are everywhere right now. While they can have some benefits (like reduced inflammation and increased resilience), they’re not a fit for everyone, especially women dealing with hormonal imbalances, adrenal fatigue, or autoimmune flares.

If your nervous system is already running on overdrive, jumping into a tub of freezing water might just stress it out even more.

Try this instead:

Start slow. Try a short cold shower at the end of your warm shower, or finish with a splash of cold water on your face. Focus on nervous system regulation first – think breathwork, gentle movement, and prioritizing sleep. Then, if your body feels ready, gradually introduce cold exposure. Also heat exposure, like my beloved sauna blanket, can be a much better fit!! I WAY prefer heat over cold.

3. Super Pricey PEMF Devices with Wild Claims

I love PEMF therapy and use the Higher

Sharing my review of the BEST blue light blocking glasses after doing a ton of research. You can order your Vivarays 4-in-1 glasses here and use the code FITNESSISTA for a discount!

Hi friends! Happy Monday! I hope that you’re having a wonderful morning! We spent the weekend in Phoenix for Liv’s last convention of the season, and now we’re back at home and getting ready for Spain. I’m sharing my packing list in tomorrow’s post!

Something that I’m absolutely bringing with me? My Vivarays! I am OBSESSED with these glasses, especially the nighttime lenses. I put them on, and within 30 minutes I’m drowsy and ready to sleep. I’m excited to give them a whirl on the plane 😉 In today’s post, I wanted to talk a bit about light, how it impacts our health, and share more details about the best blue light blocking glasses.

In our tech-filled world, blue light exposure is nearly impossible to avoid. We’re constantly surrounded by screens – phones, laptops, TVs – and even our indoor lighting emits high levels of artificial blue light. While some blue light is natural (and even beneficial during the day), overexposure, especially at the wrong times, can wreak havoc on our health, mood, and sleep quality.

If you’ve ever found yourself tossing and turning at night after scrolling your phone, or feeling drained despite 8 hours of sleep, blue light could be to blame. Fortunately, blue light blocking glasses are one of the simplest and most effective tools to support your circadian rhythm and your overall well-being.

the best blue light blocking glasses

Why Blue Light Can Be Harmful (and What Kind of Light We Actually Need)

Blue light is part of the visible light spectrum and is naturally emitted by the sun. During the day, blue light helps us feel awake, alert, and energized. The problem? Most of us are now exposed to blue light all day—and well into the night.

Here’s how chronic blue light exposure can disrupt our health:

Melatonin Suppression: Blue light blocks melatonin production, the hormone that signals your body it’s time to sleep. Even small amounts of blue light at night (from your phone, TV, or overhead lights) can reduce melatonin and delay your ability to fall and stay asleep.

Hormonal Disruption: Melatonin isn’t just about sleep. It’s intricately tied to other hormone pathways, including cortisol, insulin, estrogen, and testosterone. Disrupting melatonin can create a ripple effect that throws off your hormonal balance.

Mood & Mental Health: Poor sleep caused by blue light exposure can contribute to anxiety, depression, and brain fog. Blue light can also disrupt dopamine pathways and contribute to mood instability.

Eye Strain & Headaches: Blue light contributes to digital eye strain, dry eyes, and tension headaches—especially for those who spend hours in front of screens.

Read more

Sharing my full thoughts on the Lumebox and if I think it’s worth it! If you’ve been wanting to add one to your collection, check it out here and use the code FITNESSISTA for $260 off.

Hi friends! How are you? I hope you’re having an amazing week. It’s a busy one around here – we have rehearals for the symphony all week – and I was able to sneak away for a juice date with a friend in between strategy calls.

For today’s post, I wanted to chat a bit about Lumebox now that I’ve been using it for a few weeks. It’s been one of my favorite things to stack into my morning wellness routine, and I love it even more than I thought I would.

Here’s what my current routine looks like:

– Eye care routine

– Get the kids packed up and off to school

– Breakfast – almost always a protein pudding with Daily Nutritional Support, Truvani, Nuttzo and berries + decaf Danger Coffee

– Recharge time: sit on the PEMF mat (code FITNESSISTA15) with my Lumebox, meditate for about 10 minutes, and journal for about 5 minutes

It’s only a 15-minute routine but really makes a difference in my mood and energy for the rest of the day! Here are some more details about Lumebox.

Lumebox review and if it’s worth it

What Is Lumebox?

LumeBox is a compact and powerful red light therapy device designed for at-home use and travel, because it’s portable. It delivers targeted red and near-infrared (NIR) light to support skin health, muscle recovery, and overall well-being. It’s beautifully designed with medical-grade LED technology, and is super easy to use.

Key Features of Lumebox

Dual Wavelength Technology: Combines red light (660nm) and near-infrared light (850nm) for deeper penetration and enhanced benefits.

Portable and Lightweight: Small enough to use on the go but powerful enough for full treatment sessions.

Timer Function: It automatically shuts off after 6 minutes.

Low EMF Emission: Designed for safe use with minimal electromagnetic field exposure.

USB Charging: Convenient and rechargeable for wireless use.

Handle! This makes it super easy to hold.

How Red Light Therapy Can Benefit You

Red light therapy has been widely studied and shown to potentially support multiple areas of health, including:

Skin Health: Can reduce fine lines, wrinkles, acne, and hyperpigmentation by stimulating collagen production.

Muscle Recovery: Can speed up post-workout recovery and reduces inflammation.

Pain Relief: Can h