It’s that time of year: list time. Do you have all your lists ready? The list of food or Christmas cookies to be prepared, the list of who you’re hosting for the holidays, the list of Christmas cards to send, the list of gifts to be purchased and wrapped. Take a moment to think of all the names on that gift list: your kids, spouse, parents, in-laws…and you.

You? Yes, you! Do you typically include yourself on your list of people to buy for during Christmas? And I don’t just mean a peppermint mocha to sip as you shop. How about giving yourself the gift of health? You may have just paused to question if I’m really asking you to start your workout program before Christmas, when the holiday food and treats are all around. And the answer is no, I’m not necessarily asking you to avoid all holiday food and start a strict health plan right now. However, I do want you to at least keep your health top of mind starting now. How do you do this?

First of all, ask yourself what you could buy for yourself. Have you been wanting to eat healthier? Buy yourself a keto, paleo, or Mediterranean cookbook, or another similar one that will guide you back into healthier eating. Make sure the author is a nutritionist and not some celebrity who doesn’t have the education, knowledge, or credibility to suggest what healthy eating means. Better yet, ask for advice from someone who has advanced training in nutrition and healthy living — like yours truly! One important thing to remember is to make dietary choices based on getting healthy, not just losing a few pounds quickly. Often, the quick-fix weight loss options aren’t sustainable. Instead, think long-term. Think lifestyle changes, not just of losing a certain amount of weight.

Next, have you started thinking about a workout program? A gym membership is a great choice to help you stay motivated to use that membership you’re paying for, but finding a partner to go with you will help your accountability and increase your chances of success! Not feeling as ambitious as joining a gym? You can simply buy some dumbbells or a yoga mat. If you don’t want to invest in hiring a personal trainer at a gym, find a fitness pro on YouTube and start following their programs. If you’re starting from zero, make sure to start small. If you start with too much, that makes it easier for you to get overwhelmed or injured and quit. Don’t feel like getting outside? Walking inside a mall is a nice, warm indoor option. But start somewhere, or else you’ll go nowhere.

How about re-starting the supplements you were once on — or that you were recommended but you didn’t follow through on? If you have old, expired bottles — or ones that aren’t high quality, like ones purchased at a big box store — throw them out. Better yet, take time to schedule a nutritional consult and find out what supplements you really need instead of guessing based on some generic internet searches. Here’s one recommendation: vitamin D3 w/K2, vitamin C, and zinc are a great combination for a strong immune system as we move into the heart of cold and flu season. To top it off, that combo is available in our office for 15% off through the end of December!

So you see, giving the gift of health is a real thing. And it’s not as hard as some people make it out to be. Also, it’s more important than you realize — for your health of today and your health of the future. I heard this recently: The person who has his health has a million wishes. The person who does not have his health has only one wish.

Here’s to wishing you a happy holiday season, a very healthy 2025, and all the blessings of the Christmas season.

Dr. Burtis, D.C., M.S., CFMP, DACBN, has been providing natural healthcare to the Fairmont area at Burtis Chiropractic Center for over 35 years. He uses a combination of chiropractic, nutrition, and functional medicine to help individuals restore and maintain health and healing through individualized care plans. The mission of Burtis Chiropractic Center is to provide transformational healthcare that takes an individual’s life to the next level. We strive to be a solution for families to experience transformational healthcare and help create vibrant and resilient lifestyles that can be passed to future generations.