Holiday shopping will most definitely be different this year, as well as how we approach our health and fitness. However, this can be an opportunity to support our community!

We’re having to become more creative with supporting our health and how we shop because of the ongoing pandemic. Instead of the typical running around the shopping mall or using big box stores, why not support your local and small businesses this Christmas? At the same time, consider giving the gift of health and fitness. With all the stress the pandemic is causing, the importance of improving our health is at an all-time high.

In Burlington, we have many small businesses that have services and products that can help you improve or maintain your fitness, as well as helping you stay healthy mentally and emotionally. As you know, wellness isn’t just about working out and eating well, it also means managing stressors and your mental health.

I feel like we often think it’s insulting to give health and fitness products or services as a gift, but more and more people are looking to improve their lifestyle. Show them your support and cheer them on with gifts that will either get them started or help them continue their wellness journey.

Here are some great gift ideas that are easy to find right here in Burlington:

  1. Gift certificates for massage, facials and other spa services that offer the relaxing self-care time that is essential to managing stress levels. Burlington has amazing spas and massage therapists.
  2. Workout equipment for at-home exercise. There are many sports and fitness stores that have a variety of products that you can use at home: stability balls, mini bands, strength bands, dumbbells, mats, foam rollers, kettlebells, and/or medicine balls are all great choices. If they have the room, you can get cardio and weight-training equipment that is made for home use — fold-up treadmills and ellipticals, stands that convert a regular bicycle into a stationary bicycle, a wall-mounted cable machine or a weight bench could all make great gifts. These bigger items aren’t essential to successfully working out at home, so make sure whoever you buy for wants or needs it and has the room for it. You can easily buy some of the small pieces listed above and make a big, fun gift basket out of it.
  3. Gift certificates for personal training, which can be done one-on-one or virtually. Coaches are using virtual workouts more and more to help people stay consistently active.
  4. Online memberships to group wellness coaching. There are many coaches who are now doing group coaching, using apps and websites as well as video conferencing. A recent study from Scotland shows that you are more likely to follow through if you have others to keep you accountable. It also is a fun way to share similar goals with others and have some fun.
  5. Golf lessons are another great idea. With golf, it is easy to maintain social distancing and be safe. (Crossing my fingers that by spring, things will be much better for us!)
  6. Gift certificates to small health stores, where your friends and family can buy food and supplements to support their health.
  7. Workout and yoga clothing are great options as well. When you have a killer workout outfit, it makes you feel good, and if you feel good, you will move more! There are many shops in Burlington that have amazing activewear.
  8. Exercise accessories like water bottles, step counters, sports socks, sports bras, a stop watch, ear buds, a fitness journal, etc., are all excellent smaller gifts. There are so many small local businesses where you can grab these items as stocking stuffers.
  9. Running and training shoes are so essential to supporting your whole body while moving. This is a great gift for those who want to be more active.
  10. Gift certificates to restaurants that offer healthy options. Proud to say we offer so many of these locally!
  11. Donate to a Burlington food bank or charity in someone’s name. I love this idea so much and plan on doing it myself.

Not sure where to go? Just go to Google. We use it every day, why not use it to get to know your community? You might just find amazing gems in your city that will have you going back again and again. I have found some amazing local businesses in Burlington — I am so glad I took those few extra minutes to find them.

We need our health more than ever right now, and we need to support our community just as much. By supporting our local small business owners, you are helping not just their bottom line, but with their mental and emotional health in these difficult times. Supporting one another is what strong, resilient communities do. Let’s start now and ensure our health and our local businesses get stronger!

Sources:

Science Daily, 2016. A New Exercise Partner is the Key to Exercising More. Url: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/10/161004081548.htm (accessed Dec. 1, 2020).