The clock has begun and with only days until Christmas, people are on a journey to find the perfect gifts for their loved ones. It can be quite time-consuming and even stressful to figure out what gift to buy for your children, parents, or siblings. People may be so busy finding the ideal presents for others that they probably forgot a name off their gift-giving list, their own.
The act of generosity has been shown to have several health benefits, but it’s also important to be generous to yourself. This is especially true during the holiday season when anxiety, tension and added pressure are common.
Self-gifting is exactly what it sounds like. It means to literally give yourself a gift and can be an important form of self-care. It can be extremely difficult to give to others when you have neglected your own needs and health.
“Mental health includes emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, act, make choices, and relate to others,” states the National Institute of Mental Health website.
This is the time of year when it seems like the to-do list is incredibly long and the hours in a day are just not enough. In addition to holiday activities, people often have a busy work schedule as it becomes necessary to complete certain tasks before the New Year. According to the World Health Organization, exhaustion is one of the signs of occupational burnout.
Self-care can help people avoid burnout and help them make their own health a priority.
“Self-care means taking the time to do things that help you live well and improve both your physical health and mental health. When it comes to your mental health, self-care can help you manage stress, lower your risk of illness, and increase your energy,” states the National Institute of Mental Health website.
Below are three ideas on how you can gift yourself this holiday with self-care and health in mind.
Gift yourself with a pet
Pets are wonderful companions and are known to lift the moods of their owners. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, dogs are four-legged friends who can help people relieve stress and anxiety.
“They influence social, emotional, and cognitive development in children, promote an active lifestyle, provide companionship, and have even been able to detect oncoming epileptic seizures or the presence of certain cancers,” states the CDC website.
There is also research about how cats can provide emotional support and increase the confidence of their owners.
“Cats are also credited with promoting socialization among older individuals and physically or mentally disabled people,” states the CDC website.
According to the CDC, bonding with a pet can help decrease blood pressure, cholesterol levels and feelings of loneliness. For more information about the health benefits of pet ownership and tips on how to select the right pet for you, visit www.cdc.gov/healthypets/keeping-pets-and-people-healthy/how.html.
Gift yourself with fitness
It’s no secret that regular physical activity and fitness is needed for a healthy lifestyle. Exercise can help with weight management and lower your risk for serious conditions such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. There are even immediate benefits of physical activity, meaning you can see positive results right away.
“Regular physical activity can help keep your thinking, learning, and judgment skills sharp as you age. It can also reduce your risk of depression and anxiety and help you sleep better,” states the CDC website.
There’s no need to wait for New Year resolutions to start a fitness regimen. Make taking care of yourself a priority by purchasing a gym membership or buying fitness equipment to use at home. If you don’t have the funds for a membership or equipment, then simply make a plan and commit to start moving more. You can increase your physical activity by walking around the neighborhood, choosing to take the steps whenever possible, or finding a free online fitness class.
For more information about physical activity and its benefits, visit www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/pa-health.
Gift yourself with time
Making time for yourself is a very important aspect of self-care. According to the Mental Health America website, self-care has proven health and social benefits but most people “only spend 15 minutes a day on health-related self-care.”
Me-time is very important when it comes to being the best version of yourself. Taking time for yourself can happen in a variety of ways. It can simply mean that you’re getting enough sleep each night or practicing mindfulness each day so you’re able to sort emotions.
Your me-time can be doing an activity that brings you joy such as dancing or learning a new skill such as cooking. There is no exact science on how to take time for yourself, but it is important to figure out what works for you and then make it happen. For more tips and information about taking time for yourself, visit mhanational.org/taking-time-yourself.
![Editor’s note: Chris Bartlett, co-founder and co-host of Worth Tasting, contributed to this column. With the New Year upon us, now is the time to plan those 2024 vacations. Here’s a destination to consider, especially for epicureans, those who are passionate about food and drink and unique culinary experiences. Where beach meets city, and Bayshore Boulevard […]](https://www.thereporteronline.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Epicurean-Berns-lobby-CB-1.jpg?w=197 "Editor’s note: Chris Bartlett, co-founder and co-host of Worth Tasting, contributed to this column. With the New Year upon us, now is the time to plan those 2024 vacations. Here’s a destination to consider, especially for epicureans, those who are passionate about food and drink and unique culinary experiences. Where beach meets city, and Bayshore Boulevard […]")
