As if the speed of the information age isn’t enough to create the stress that will give your doctor job security for a year, the race through the holiday maze of consumerism is sure to leave you twitching. Doesn’t a day at a spa or a massage sound good right about now?

If you’re craving a “feel-good” gift like that, think of your friends or family who are in the same rocky boat — and you are on your way to making their present a welcome one.

Spas and massage therapists see a lot of increased activity this time of year. It’s enough to watch their customers walk in carrying the weight of the world, and come out walking on clouds, and you understand why. But if this is stress season, what will it be like by the time all the presents are unwrapped and the turkey leftovers are stored in the freezer?

For the perfect “feel-good” present, think of your recipient’s lifestyle and try to find something that will help them start the New Year right — you know how those resolutions are — but go beyond simply wrapping a health or fitness related item. Motivate them to go the next step, suggests Greg Sampson of bodylink.

“People are trying to give more the gifts of services that can open a huge new chapter in someone’s life,” he said. A creative way to do that is by buying an item like weights along with a gift certificate for a personal training session, to help the person create a personalized fitness program using those weights. Or buy a running shoe analysis session that will analyze an athlete’s gait for proper shoe fitting along with a gift certificate for a sports store that sells the shoes.

“It makes the present alive and consumer friendly,” Sampson said.

If you have a young athlete in your midst, a great way to make him or her feel good is to buy a Frappier Acceleration session package to boost performance and self-esteem. “It’s a tremendous gift for kids who want to compete more effectively in sports,” he said.

Your friend is not into athletics? There is a cure for that too. Consider one of the ski and snowboard packages, wrapped especially in time for the holidays, at Kitsap Sports. For the worriers at heart, a hot extreme sport is paintball — Kitsap Sports’ fully stocked paintball department has everything from the paints to clothes and accessories, as well as gun customizing for the true die-hards.

There is hardly any limit to how creative you can get with gifts that are good for the body and spirit. You can even find high-tech watches with GPS for the techier soul — check out the Suunto brand at Kitsap Sports. While there, be sure to look at the store’s extensive and unique selection of active-wear apparel for men and women, as well as the special shoe inserts (Down Under or SuperFeet) that are sure to get a big smile from anyone who has aching or active feet.

Of course you can also give a gift to yourself and a friend at the same time: Buy a gym membership for two. Some gyms have monthly enrollment, others offer specials during December.

“A lot of families are giving the gift of health, even to their children, and especially to someone who has everything,” said Kenzie Westling with the Olympic Fitness Center, which has membership and massage specials in December. “It helps take care of your body and stress.”.