Make medicine better: the blog

This commentary was originally published in the December 17 edition of the St. Louis American newspaper. (www.stlamerican.com).

Whether you are celebrating Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, or another holiday, most of us will give gifts during the month of December. We will be bombarded with commercials and advertisements for the trendiest gifts of the season. With so many options for gifts, it’s easy to forget about health during the gift-giving season. But remember, healthful gifts can have long-lasting effects. So instead of a gift that will soon be forgotten, here are some suggestions for healthful gifts to help family and friends live a healthier (and maybe longer) life.

1.  The gift of organization. This is especially helpful for older adults who are taking multiple medications and/or who have several physicians. Keeping track of medications and appointments can be very challenging. Not to mention the complicated paperwork involved with many insurances. Instead of buying your grandmother another pair of slippers, spend some time with her and make a binder for her medical records. Use one that can be updated and revised. These are easy to make but the work has been done for you with myHealthFolders.com (click the link at the bottom of the home page of this website for more information) or you can purchase one such as ‘My Health Companion’ (visit www.alliesinhealth.com for more information).

2. A gift that encourages healthful eating. Consider a cookbook that focuses on healthier eating such as ‘Patti Labelle’s Lite Cuisine’. There are a number of similar cookbooks that offer healthier recipes with amazing flavors and familiar tastes. You can also give a healthy cooking class or a small appliance that encourages healthier cooking such as a steamer, rice cooker, or crock pot. 

3. Healthy lifestyle magazine. A subscription to a healthy-cooking or fitness magazine is a great gift. Magazine subscriptions in general are wonderful gifts because the recipient continues to receive them throughout the year. This will provide reinforcement and encouragement to continue healthy behaviors. Other magazine subscriptions that focus on sporting activities or general health, such as ‘Heart and Soul’ magazine which is geared toward African American women, are great gifts.

4. A session with a personal trainer or nutritionist. A personal trainer is an excellent way to get an individualized fitness program, build muscle tone and improve endurance. Similarly a nutritionist can provide individual recommendations to help reach those desired goals. What works for one person doesn’t work for everyone and the results can vary drastically. A nutritionist can tailor a diet plan to your individual likes and dislikes which means it’s a plan you are more likely to follow.

The gift of a personal trainer and/or nutritionist can be quite beneficial and have long lasting effects; however, such a gift can be misinterpreted by the receiver. A friend or loved one may perceive this as too aggressive or think that the giver thinks of them negatively.  If you are not sure that this is something the recipient would want or how they would interpret the gift, make a plan to do it together. So that you both are benefitting. Alternatively, register the two of you for a fitness or dance class.

5. Relaxation. Many of us are stressed and overworked which can increase the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and depression among other things. There are many gifts that can help relieve stress such as spa treatments, but there are other relaxing gifts as well. New comfortable sheets or a plush pillow can help your loved one get a better night’s sleep. Don’t forget that many parents don’t have much time to relax so offer to babysit so they can relax for a few hours or overnight.

6. Don’t forget the kids. The average child already has a wishlist of items for holiday gifts and chances are they are filled with toys or video games that use little physical activity. Take the time to consider some health conscious gifts for kids such as a swimming or sports class at the YMCA or a jump rope. Look for opportunities to do activities that all ages can enjoy together like bowling.

Finding health conscious gifts for the holidays is easier than you think and can be less expensive. You can give yourself the gift of spending less so that you are less stressed when those January credit card bills arrive.

I wish you the Happiest of Holidays and a New Year full of good Health!

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