As adults, it can be difficult to know what to put on our Christmas lists. When family members ask for ideas, we often shrug and hope for the best. But this year, check out these ideas and you won’t have to shrug when someone asks for your list. These gift ideas will help you look forward to Christmas again. They’re also effective tools to help you start off the new year on the right foot.
Pedometer
How many steps do you walk in a day? If you had a pedometer, you would know. Health experts recommend walking about 10,000 steps each day, but many of us travel far less than that by foot. A pedometer is an easy way to keep track of steps taken, which will motivate you to get those 10,000 steps in every day.
Stress-relievers
Our collective stress level is higher than ever before. Jobs, household responsibilities, activities and childcare all take a toll and increase our stress levels. You can help relieve some of that stress by gifting yourself with stress-relieving items this holiday season.
How can you relieve stress? Try these:Â
- Massage roller
- Warming eye mask
- Foot spa
- Gift certificate for a professional massage
- Day trip to a spa
- Peaceful music
- Classic, feel-good movie
- Coupons for a night alone (particularly good if you are a parent!)Â
Standing or treadmill desk
Recent studies have suggested that sitting for long periods each day is extremely damaging to our health and has a huge influence on our lifespan. Instead of putting your health at risk, exchange your regular desk for a standing or treadmill desk. If you can’t replace the desk itself, try switching out the chair for a large yoga ball, which can improve core strength while you sit working. A wearable posture trainer can also be a fantastic tool to beat the strain of slouching all day.
Essential oils
Essential oils offer so much more than a beautiful scent. Essential oils have been proven to help with a variety of health conditions, from getting rid of warts to boosting the immune system. If you have shied away from purchasing an essential oils starter kit, what better time to start than the holiday season? We recommend starting with an immune-boosting kit to guard you against the onslaught of flu season.Â
Filtered water bottle
Drinking enough water is important, but equally important is the quality of the water. Tap water is filled with unhealthy chemicals. Treat yourself to better health this year with a filtered water bottle. Hundreds of models are available to fit every need and budget.
Fermented food maker
Have you tried fermenting your own foods yet? Studies indicate that fermented food can help boost nutrient absorption and replace healthy bacteria in the gut. Fermented food making kits, such as kombucha tea kits or yogurt making kits, can help you get started making your own fermented foods at home for a fraction of the cost that you would pay in-store for fermented items.
What healthy items are on your holiday list this year?
—The Alternative DailyÂ
Sources:
http://revdesportiva.pt/files/form_cont/Sitting_Time_and_Mortality_from_All_Causes.pdf
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002817714640903
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2672.2006.02963.x/pdf
