Gifts to help keep you Healthy, Happy and Fit

For many people, the winter months can bring on an internal sense of gloom. The shorter days and lack of sunshine have a direct effect on the part of your brain that controls your circadian rhythm. The reduced amount of sunlight has also been tied to a drop in serotonin, a hormone and neurotransmitter that helps regulate your mood. At the same time, darker days can lead to an increase of melatonin (a sleep hormone) in your body. For some, winter triggers mood-changing Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which can lead to fatigue and depression. If you are able, take advantage of the sun while it's out. Go for an afternoon walk to soak up the fleeting sun rays. If you think you may suffer from SAD, please consult your doctor.

Getting a good night's sleep is one of the best ways to support your immune system. Sleep is also essential for regulating blood pressure and lowering stress hormones. While you sleep, your body has time to repair and heal from the stressors of the day. 

If you need help falling asleep at night, a weighted blanket may be your new best friend. Weighted blankets can help relieve anxiety and promote better sleep. These blankets are filled with plastic pellets and come in various weights. Many people find the weight makes them feel more secure at night, like sleeping in under a firm hug. The psychological effects are similar to swaddling a baby - in theory, the weight helps you feel calm and relaxes your nervous system.

Staying active during colder months can be hard. Not only does working out help to counteract the extra holiday calories, but it also can improve your mood. When you work out, serotonin and endorphins are released in your body. Breaking a sweat (even if it's just for 30 minutes a day) helps to relieve stress and balance your hormone levels. 

Having a home gym will make it easier to care for your body. Get motivated to workout with these at-home fitness gifts.

Drinking filtered water is one of the most important steps toward improving your overall health and well-being. Hydration directly impacts your energy levels, mood, internal temperature, muscle recovery and ability to focus. Filtering the water you drink and use every day is essential for a healthier lifestyle. Most cities use chlorine and chloramines to disinfect tap water. These chemicals strip natural oils from your skin and hair, leaving you feeling itchy and dry. 

As tap water travels to your home, chlorine reacts with organic/non-organic compounds present in pipes, which can create carcinogenic compounds called Disinfection Byproducts. Filtering all the water in your home with a whole house water system is the best way to eliminate dirt, chemicals, harmful bacteria and viruses from the water you use to drink, cook and bathe.

Look at a bottle of wine and you'll probably see the phrase "contains sulfates." Sulfates aren't only in wine, they can be found in many of the foods we eat. Depending on your diet, you may be consuming more sulfates than you realize. Sulfates can be found in jams, pickled foods, potato chips, dried fruit, baked goods and many other processed foods. Sulfates are not automatically bad for you, but some people with asthma or sulfate intolerances have adverse reactions. If you want to indulge without the sulfates, a wine purifier is a great gift.

Sometimes what you really need is a spa day. Relaxing in a sauna increases blood circulation throughout the body, muscle recovery and helping you relax and detoxify. Infrared heat is particularly popular because of its ability to penetrate up to 1 1/2 inches below the skin. A variety of research is still being done on the health benefits of infrared light, from alleviating chronic pain and stress to skin rejuvenation. If nothing else, infrared light can be extremely soothing. Just make sure to run it by your doctor beforehand to ensure you aren't at any special risk of dehydration or negative side effects