Gift Guide: The Gift that Keeps on Giving
’Tis the season of giving!
I love gift giving especially when it’s a gift that keeps on giving! Finding gifts that are practical, helpful and that make life easier are the best kind of gifts.
If you are struggling to find new ways to surprise the people you care about, I’ve got you covered! These are a list of products I use daily and/or always recommend. I have provided my affiliate links with each gift idea to make it easier for you to find.
We are starting off the gifting game strong with the Squatty Potty! What’s a better way of telling someone that you care for them than helping them poop better? Haha. But in all honesty, constipation is a common issue in Western Countries. The ideal pooping posture is a squat position and the Squatty Potty makes that much easier on modern toilets. Help your loved ones care for their bowel and pelvic floor health by gifting them a Squatty Potty. Click here to purchase.
2. SAD Light
Provide the gift of happiness by helping your loved one fight off Seasonal Affect Disorder (SAD). SAD is a form of depression in the winter months brought on by the lack of Sunlight. These smaller portable light therapy devices are great! Work or sit by the light for approximately 20-30 minutes in the first hour of waking. It can help elevate your serotonin levels and balance melatonin levels to aid in your mood and sleep patterns. There are multiple light therapy boxes out there. You want to purchase one that gives an output of 2,500 - 10,000 lux (a measurement of light brightness).
Click here or on the image to purchase.
Desk jobs are very common in today’s society. Here are a few products that I recommend as a Physiotherapist to help improve your desk ergonomics. The person receiving any of these gifts will be thanking you every day.
Laptop stand
-The height of your screen should be eye level or within 20 degrees of eye level. This position will help reduce the risk of neck pain.Vertical Mouse
-Help minimize the risk of carpal tunnel with a vertical mouse.Mouse Pad and Keyboard Pad Wrist Support
-If you do not want to opt-in for a vertical mouse, help minimize the risk of carpal tunnel with your regular mouse via wrist supportsGiam Balance Disc
-Participate in active sitting! Sitting on a not-so-steady surface can help keep core muscles active when sitting. This specific disc is the one I use. It’s multipurpose as I use it when sitting for prolonged periods and you can also use it for exercises.
Gift a hug with a weighted blanket to help combat anxiety and stress. It is thought that the pressure stimulation of a weighted blanket can increase levels of serotonin, decrease stress hormones and increase melatonin levels to help improve sleep quality. We definitely need more research into its effects but nonetheless, it does feel nice. Weighted blankets vary in weight so make sure you choose the correct one for yourself or for the person you are gifting it to. Click here or on the image to purchase.
Help encourage better health by sneaking some resistance bands into stockings or a holiday gift exchange. Resistance training is great for overall bone and muscle health. I’ll always encourage exercise. It’s a great form of medicine.
Click here or on the image to purchase.
As mentioned above, resistance training is great for bone health. Adjustable Dumbbells are a great way of having multiple weights in a small space. We had adjustable dumbbells in the last clinic I was in and they were so convenient. The one con is that they are a bit bulky but they are very useful depending on your goals and space. Note: I’ve linked the Bowflex brand as I know they are good quality. I’ve seen adjustable dumbbells at Costco so definitely checkout your local Costco.
Click here or on the image to purchase.
7. Dash Cam
This one can get a bit pricey depending on what you are looking for. I work with a lot of patients involved in Motor Vehicle Accidents (MVA) and I’ve heard way too many stories about legal issues, hit and runs or people refusing that the accident was their fault when indeed it was. I am personally looking to get a Dash Cam this year to help avoid any future problems.
I have provided two different options with different pricing. Note: I have not purchased either of these yet but they are ones I am looking into. I will update this post once I have purchased one.
Cheaper option: click here
More specs so more expensive: click here
I hope you found this short gift guide helpful! Remember you can gift yourself some things too :).
Happy gifting!
-Leila Awada, PT
Please make sure you read the manufacturer’s instructions for every product before use.
Total transparency here, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.