We tend to think of total fitness as just being about our physical shape. but although I am a core fitness specialist with Fit2B, I do my best to teach about our overall wholeness and how each of these six dimensions of wellness affects each other: Physical, mental, environmental, social, emotional, and spiritual.
As a fitness professional, I have been noticing subtle differences in how my husband and I approach Christmas compared to the world at large. We want to raise our own two wildlings with a simple approach to Christmas that fosters health in every dimension of our bodies–not just one.
I want Christmas to be a season of wholeness-body, mind, and spirit. So I sat down and made a gift list that hit all six categories of wellness. After all, if Jesus came to give us life, we should offer life to others through the gifts we give, right? I can’t help but think of what a different kind of holiday season we’d have if we foc
used on gifts that benefit the whole being: a happier, healthier one!
So what are some gifts that play into each of those dimensions that make us healthy and whole? Here are the ideas I jotted down for this year.
Mental Gifts
There are lots of games and puzzles that bring hours of fun, but also help to strengthen your mind and sharpen your abilities. I like the sort of gifts that stimulate your mind and take it off hard things for a while. My children have so much fun with our marble Q-Ba Maze sets, and there is also Perplexus ball mazes which are great for minds and bodies, developing hand eye coordination and shoulder mobility.
Social Gifts
I love gifts that we can do as a family unit- or even with friends! Passes to the local zoo, aquarium or science center are always a wonderful gift that gives all year long. Experiences are worth so much more than things, and we love the chance to get out and observe creation or learn about how things work!
You could go the route of family oriented games, a movie night box, or even something like a really nice frisbee that you can all enjoy outside together.
Environmental Gifts
There are a million ways to repurpose things we may otherwise throw away. I call it “garbage art” because you make something beautiful out of the scraps. When we do our part to not put as much trash into the environment around us, we are being good stewards of this Earth God has given us to manage with wisdom.
Crochet a rag rug out of t-shirt yarn. Make a rustic frame from wood scraps. Dress up an old drawer with chalk-paint and fill it with goodies. In my kitchen, there is a basket with lids and tidbits of clean “garbage” that my children love to use for art. Their grandparents are getting some very intriguing pieces this year, made with lots of love!
I love to share Bento Boxes with others, too. These bento boxes have saved me money, time, and they create less waste. Each compartment seals, and they are dishwasher safe. Read my article about them here.
Spiritual Gifts
Tickets to Handel’s Messiah – Originally composed for Resurrection Sunday, it’s often performed at Christmastime. You could give tickets to see it during the holiday season or for during Easter. You could also give a recording of it. I play it very loudly while putting up and taking down decorations each year. “For unto us a child is born…” It gives me chills every time.
The Christmas! book – Newly published, this gorgeous work of art and writing is perfect for reading to young children in the days leading up to Christmas. Its tagline is “The Whole Story of The God Who Loves,” and it really is! Written by Natasha Metzler and beautifully illustrated by Brianna Stegrist, the simple wording and pretty pictures will take your family on a daily advent journey through the whole Bible. It’s not just Jesus’ birth and the shepherds, but the reason behind his story in plain language to tug at little heart-strings. I was sent an advance copy, and I adore it!
Physical
Workout props make good gifts. Giving someone some new fitness gear for Christmas gear is a great way to help them stay motivated. It could be a new exercise mat, handweights, or maybe a new tool to play with like a foam roll or bolster. Here’s my article about Nine Home Fitness Props that aren’t super spendy and don’t involve machines; they’re the sort of things we use in the videos on Fit2B. I don’t think fitness should break the budget!
One thing I’m excited about (naturally!) is the gift of Fitness DVDs. They’re easy to wrap, easy to ship, and when they’re high quality and safe for all fitness levels. You don’t have to worry about your loved one hurting themselves because we took every care to make these a safe way to build your strength and health. I’m really excited that you can find “Fit2B Beginning” and “Fit2B Firm” on Amazon today!
Emotional Gifts
Have you read a great book lately that left you feeling so much better about yourself or people around you? How about a book, movie or boxed-set of a certain TV show that made you laugh until your sides hurt and not take life so seriously? Give one as a gift and spread that joy!
I love words. All over my house, I have signs that say so many things to me. One says “Quicherbellyachin” and another says “As the deer panteth for the water, so my soul pants for you, O God.” Another one says “Oh what a foretaste of Glory Divine.” And there are more like the one over my sink that reminds me to “Simplify” and the one in our dining room that says “Park your horse and stay awhile.” These little reminders help me focus and keep things in perspective. My friend Stephanie Wright of All The Wright Words does custom vinyl letters for people who want to make their own signs!
What are your ideas for these categories? I’d love to hear them!
About Beth Learn
The founder and CEO of Fit2B® which provides TummySafe™ fitness for those with history diastasis recti and other abdominal traumas, Beth is also the mother of two wildlings and the wife of a handy Montana man. Her family lives on a 7-acre homestead in the Pacific Northwest where she starts each day with cup of coffee before doing barn chores in her bathrobe. It's an honor to have Beth as a contributing write for Adornabelle, and we invite you to send her your questions about core health, pregnancy, fitness... and maybe even goats. She loves goats!
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