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Gifts of wellness

Published:Wednesday | December 22, 2021 | 12:09 AMKeisha Hill/Senior Gleaner Writer

There is nothing quite like a global pandemic to remind you how true that old cliché is, at the end of the day, health really is wealth. During these past two years, however, emotional wellness has become just as important as physical health, making gifts that focus on our mental well-being just as meaningful as those that impact our physical one.

These gift ideas should appeal to both, mental and physical wellness. Take a look and see what great gifts you can get to help your family and friends stay healthy and happy.

GIFT CARDS

Show how much you care by giving the gift of wellness. For those just starting – or picking up where they left off – a gift card is the perfect ‘nudge’ to help keep anyone moving. For many, therapy is a pathway to self- improvement that can prove invaluable. A gift card makes it possible for your loved ones to get the help they may need, albeit remotely, through live video sessions with a licensed therapist.

JOURNAL

When you were a child, you might have kept a diary hidden under your mattress. It was a place to confess your struggles and fears without judgement or punishment. It likely felt good to get all of those thoughts and feelings out of your head and down on paper. The world seemed clearer.

You may have stopped using a diary once you reached adulthood. But the concept and its benefits still apply. Now it is called journaling. It is simply writing down your thoughts and feelings to understand them more clearly. If you struggle with stress, depression, or anxiety, keeping a journal can be a great idea. It can help you gain control of your emotions and improve your mental health.

Journaling has great mental health benefits, making a notebook an excellent gift. It is an encouraging, practical gift for anybody you know who is about to start working on a new goal or is going through a rough patch.

CANDLES

No matter how busy life feels, lighting a candle is one of the simplest ways to create a calming and meditative atmosphere right at home. It does not matter what time of day, morning, noon, or night you can almost always have a candle lit. Naturally, when it comes to events and celebrations, candles make a great gift. Not only do they evoke all the senses and come in beautiful packaging, but each candle’s aroma is unique and exciting.

With so many options out there, you can get creative when choosing a scent or vessel that speaks to a friend or family member’s personal style, hobbies, and interests. Beyond just scents, there are now candles that come in beautiful vessels, boast witty sayings, or even have hidden trinkets nestled into the wax.

MASSAGES

A massage makes the perfect gift for many reasons. When it comes time to present your gift, there are a few things you can do to make your massage gift certificate more presentable than just a printed paper or gift card and have a little extra meaning. Massage gift certificates are a versatile gift and how you present it to the receiver can increase the impact of the gift.

Aside from an exchange between spouses, massage certificates are best distributed by a professional. This helps to ensure that the receiver not only gets the ultimate relaxation from a proper massage, but also the experience and the atmosphere that help to further their relaxation. One of the main benefits of a massage gift certificate from a spa is the permission to indulge that a receiver often denies themselves.

If the person you are gifting a massage to has had massages previously or goes routinely, they likely understand your connection between the massage certificate and themselves. If being gifted a massage is something new, accompany the gift with an explanation. Say something like, ‘I know you have been busy or under a lot of stress lately and thought being pampered would help alleviate that some.’ Or whatever your reason for gifting a massage.

ADJUSTABLE FACE MASKS

Despite the widespread availability of vaccines, everybody still needs a face mask (or two) if they intend to go out in public. Cotton masks and their N95 counterpart can be kind of boring, however, so your friends and family will likely appreciate beautifully designed face masks.

keisha.hill@gleanerjm.com