Gift Guide for a Healthy You
Great Gifts Your Body Will Thank You For
With festive season in full swing, why not give a gift that will leave you feeling great this Christmas and for years to come…
Ok, let’s face it, at this time of year, you might find yourself feeling a little bit meh… Don’t worry, you’re not alone!
From the shorter days and grey skies to the stress of trying to prepare for Christmas, I’m sure many of the healthy habits you’ve unconsciously relied on throughout the year can be forgotten as we inch closer to the end of the year.
Throw in a few extra late nights, rich and indulgent food choices (which we ALL do) and added pressure to join in the celebrations with a glass of something and you might become all too aware of the effects.
Tired looking skin and hair, bloating, headaches, low mood or even feelings of anxiety all might be attributed to changes to your diet and health habits at this time of year. And although you are probably promising yourself a return to a lifestyle that is a little less excessive come the New Year, why not give yourself (and those you care about) the gift of HEALTH this Christmas?
It sounds so cheesy BUT investing in healthy gifts at this time of year is a great way to ensure that you kick start your intentions for the coming year and make your health and well-being a priority.
Are you looking for gifts this year that are meaningful and carry a true sense of purpose? Here’s where Bespoke Nutrition Therapy can help – surely you cannot go wrong with a gift that is designed to improve someone’s quality of life.
And, if you want to find something you see here in your stocking, share this post with your nearest and dearest too!
The Gift of Great Sleep
For many of my clients, lack of sleep is a problem. Great sleep is key to all aspects of a healthy lifestyle and a gift everyone will be grateful for! If you feel that your sleep is ‘non-existent’ and that your ‘energy levels are zero’ or that you feel ‘low and exhausted’ like some of my clients here’s help!
These anti-blue light glasses are perfect for anyone who spends so much time in front of a screen that they struggle to sleep.
Whilst they might not be the quick fix to a full 8 hours, they will help ensure that over exposure to blue light won’t restrict the production of melatonin making it easier to switch off when bedtime rolls around.
And don’t forget the importance of fresh air and exercise in regulating those hormones. These rechargeable hand warmers would make a great gift for anyone who suffers from cold hands and feels reluctant to get outside at this time of year. Wrap up warm and feel the benefits!
The Gift of Great Skin and Hair
As a nutritionist, I am clear that one of the secrets of looking fantastic lies in what you eat. My clients are often amazed that the changes they make to their diet result in glowing skin and hair that looks and feels amazing - who knew?!
A gift of a natural mulberry silk pillowcase, such as these from Shuti by Jess Kassel could help you achieve these results too. The natural qualities of silk make it hydrating and reduce friction leaving you with fewer wrinkles and frizz free too! Shuti also make eye masks and hair scrunchies offering similar benefits so perfect for any budget.
A natural hyaluronic booster serum would also make an excellent stocking filler for anyone wanting super fresh skin as the winter months and effects of central heating start to take their toll.
The Gift of Improved Mood
I recently shared a blog - 'SAD don't suffer alone' about how the winter months can impact your mood and ways that you can focus on your health to see improvements.
You may have become so accustomed to feeling low and unhappy at this time of year that you take it for granted. This was definitely the case for this client a member of my ‘Feel Great in Five’ programme who, after completing the programme, said;
“This has been a complete game changer for me. I realise now, after 5 weeks, how awful and unhealthy I had felt previously and that this was solely due to what I had been eating and snacking on - I really hadn’t been listening to what my body was telling me…I never want to go back to feeling the way I did before.”
If you have noticed that someone in your life seems to be struggling a little more than usual this year, a gift that offers a practical approach to combating the symptoms such as this Happy Light from Verilux is a great way to introduce a new healthy habit.
The connection between gut health and brain function is undeniable, why not give your gut a hug with a locally produced ferment such as kefir?
Or, why not ensure that the failsafe purchase of a candle has added calming qualities this year like these beautiful soy candles from Miller and Keane. Maybe even plan a relaxing treat; light the candle and switch off from distractions and listen to Maconi Union’s, Weightless - nothing beats the gift of time to yourself if you feel burnt out after a busy day!
Don’t forget the ultimate feel good factor that comes with helping someone else. Why not support one of the brilliant mental health charities by making a purchase from or donation to them? The work they do is needed more now than ever!
The Gift of Feeling Guilt Free
This time of year can be pretty difficult if you have a complex relationship with food and eating. Whether you are a yo-yo dieter planning on bouncing back in the New Year after a festive binge or a serial health victim struggling to enjoy the season, a little compassion goes a long way.
This self-compassion workbook would be a great way to start a healthy journaling habit. Or, from the more experienced journalers out there, this notebook would be perfect for starting the New Year on a blank page.
It isn’t until you take the time to really reflect on the habits you have that you can really appreciate the healthy choices you might want to make. Many of us might consider ourselves to be making our health a priority but reflecting on our behaviors and emotional responses can be revealing. One of my clients said that;
“Although I’m pretty healthy generally, I do love anything sweet and of course my glass or two of rosè wine, and focusing on what I was eating actually taught me a lot!! I wasn’t as healthy as I thought I was!”
Another of my clients spoke about how focusing on the choices they make through our work together, has enabled them to do this, saying;
“It has enabled me to introduce a healthier more balanced diet for myself and the family, with some great ideas of easy healthy recipes. I have managed to cut down my sugar intake and processed foods, introducing more fresh vegetables and fruit, plus seeds which I have never used before in my cooking! It has given me inspiration to change my eating habits (particularly eating high sugar foods in the evenings, which I wanted to stop) and I will continue to take a lot out of this programme in the future.”
Ultimately, feeling good about your health is all about balance and I discussed the benefits of trying to eat mindfully in another recent blog but if you are looking to boost your healthy habits with a focus on fitness then a few sessions with a Personal Trainer would be an excellent investment.
Or why not commit to learning a new skill that will help make you more mindful and appreciate those special moments with a photography course, such as this one run by the brilliant Stephanie Belton.
Finally, with my ‘Feel Great in Five’ programme launching again on Monday 10th January, if you are looking to give the gift of all of these health benefits (to yourself or someone you love) then there really is no better way to learn the tools to transform your energy and reboot your health.
Click on the link here to secure your place on this five week holistic health reset. An investment now that aims to leave you feeling amazing throughout 2022 - much better than another pair of socks that’s for sure!
These are my personal recommendations, there are no affiliate links, I am simply wanting to share some tried and tested gift ideas.
Happy Shopping and a very Merry Christmas to you all
Kate