Your Holiday Gift Guide for Better Health

Pick out the perfect gift for all your family members and friends.

Are your loved ones looking to shed some weight, enhance their spiritual health or just in need of a little self-care? The CHI Saint Joseph Health team came together to share their gift recommendations for everyone on your holiday list.

The Exercise Enthusiast

• Running shoes
• Activity tracker
• Water bottle
• Wireless headphones
• Gift card for fitness classes or child care

“Give the gift that reiterates your loved ones’ goals to help them feel supported. You could also volunteer to join them at the gym or watch their child while they exercise,” says Billi Benson, BA, MED, exercise physiologist and office manager of The Weight Loss Center at Saint Joseph East.

“Select an activity tracker that is compatible with the receiver’s smartphone, and make sure it can track his or her most common activities, such as running, biking or swimming,” says Paula Fox, BSHA, RT(R)(CV)(ARRT), market director of cardiovascular operations at Saint Joseph Hospital and Saint Joseph East.

The Healthy Eater

• Gift basket filled with fresh fruits and vegetables
• Vegetable spiralizer
• Gift card to a grocery store that specializes in produce

The Caregiver

• Gift card for a restaurant, spa, respite care and/or cleaning services

“Caregivers often struggle to make time for themselves, so giving something that allows them to decompress and enjoy a little self-care is an excellent choice,” says Susan Carmical, MHA, FACHE, director of operations at VNA Health at Home, a service of CHI Saint Joseph Health.

The Spiritual Friend

• Journals
• Devotional books
• Audiobook subscription
• Plants
• Gift card for a spiritual retreat or yoga classes

“A lot of spirituality is about creating the time and space to reflect, so we can help nourish our loved ones by providing them a venue for that meditative reflection,” says Rachel Holmes, MDIV, chaplain at Saint Joseph Berea.

Remember to always consult with your provider before beginning a new diet or exercise program. Don’t have a provider? Visit our online Provider Directory to find one near you.

A version of this article originally appeared in the Fall 2019 edition of Spirit of Health. For more stories like this one, subscribe to Spirit of Health magazine today.