Gifts for Improving the Health of Loved Ones
By Mark Anshel, Director, MTSU Faculty-Staff Wellness Program
Every year we shop to buy gifts for people we love, with whom we work, or for reasons that say “I care.” How often do we consider purchasing gifts for the purpose of improving the person’s health? Here is a list of gift ideas that says to the most important people in your life, “I really care about (love) you so much, I want you to be healthy for many years to come.”
Equipment
* outdoor bicycle
* stationary (indoor) bicycle
* treadmill
* free weights
* heart rate monitor (records heart rate during exercise or at rest)
* pedometer (records the number of steps; researchers want you to aim toward 10,000 steps a
day to maintain or lose weight)
* accelerometer (measures both the number of steps and speed of movement)
* new running shoes (we need a firm foundation on which to place our weight during activity)
* new workout clothes
* weight machine with multiple stations for different muscle groups
* dynaband (5 ft. rubber elastic for building muscular strength and endurance by stretching
against resistance)
* exercise video/DVD
* table tennis (ping-pong) which improves fitness
* blood pressure monitoring kit
* work-out mat for doing floor exercises (e.g., curl-ups, push-ups).
Gift Certificates and Memberships
* 5 one-hour sessions with a personal trainer;
* consultation(s) with a registered dietician;
* consultation(s) with a lifestyle coach (whose job it is to help improve time management skills
and replace unhealthy habits with desirable, healthy routines);
* certificate for a massage
* fitness club membership
* certificate for a spa package
* registration for yoga classes
* registration for sports lessons in martial arts, tennis, racquetball, swimming, or belly dancing
(don’t laugh, it’s hard work)
* session with a mental health professional (perhaps for both partners) to build self-esteem,
confidence, or to address issues that prevent adopting healthy habits (happens all the time)
Educational Materials
* Books or magazine subscriptions on health-related topics such as proper nutrition, dieting,
exercise techniques and programs, stress reduction, and yoga or pilates, some other form
of physical activity
* medical record booklet
* exercise/nutrition journal
Gifts NOT to Purchase
Weight scale, anything that promotes sedentary activity (checkers, computer or video games for a person who needs to exercise more), or eating (not another recipe book!!!), a full length mirror (“You tryin’ to tell me something, Edgar?”), reading material that suggests areas of a person’s weaknesses or vulnerabilities unless these materials are requested (for example, a book entitled “Losing Weight For Dummies,” a gift certificate for liposuction, or consultation with a plastic surgeon or psychologist – unless requested, of course), or equipment that does not include follow-up live instruction. Also, avoid “conditional gifts” such as a promise to attend a special event or take a vacation if your partner loses 10 pounds. Bad idea, because that means that the whole relationship is conditional, and hinges on a specific goal. If weight and health is a sensitive topic, consider purchasing materials, certificates, or equipment for both of you to share, including a person to offer instruction.
Grand Finale Gifts
How about date night – sorry, it’s couple’s night; the kids should stay at home with an older sibling, neighbor, or babysitter), in which the couple take one night a week to eat out. As much as you love your kids when was the last time the two of you connected privately as a couple, and just spent time talking – even better, over a nice meal? Short trips out of town are also recommended to connect with your values and show your respect and love for a partner. Single folks also need time to connect with special friends and family.