wellness
THE BEST HOLIDAY GIFT YOU CAN GIVE! By Dr. Kenneth Toth, BA, MAT, DC, RN, CPT It’s the Holiday Season again, and our thoughts, among other things, turn to family members, friends, and of course gift-giving. It’s great fun for most people to give gifts to others at this time of year and express our love and thankfulness for their presence in our lives past, present and future. It’s pretty easy for most of us to pull out the plastic to pay for that gift once a year. Add a fabulous wrapping, and that’s that! But is it really? So, where am I going with all this? I’d simply like you to think about all those wonderful and fabulous people in your life that truly love you and you them. Then I’d like you to take a look at yourself in the mirror….yes, without clothes. Next, I’d like you to be very honest with yourself. What do you see? Is it the picture of relatively vibrant health? Or is it the proverbial white elephant of neglect? Which gift are you giving yourself and your loved ones? If you are not happy with your “gift,” I have fabulous news for you! You have a whole year to create the best gift you can give yourself and others. And that gift is your highest level of health and well-being, which will bring the greatest joy to both yourself and others on your list. There are millions of families and friendships that are unnecessarily suffering in a relationship marred or even cut short. Yes, I say “unnecessarily” because the spouse, partner, or significant other failed to take care of his/her health. He/she probably scoffed at a needed exercise program and simple dietary adjustments, or just didn’t feel like following his/her physician’s recommendations which probably would have produced a much different right now and future. More and more evidence-based scientific research continues to show more and more positive relationships between consistently applied, appropriate, well-designed exercise and such conditions as hypertension, mental illness, diabetes, longevity, cardiovascular disease, joint dysfunction, erectile dysfunction, BPH, balance, and even Alzheimer’s, to note just a few! Our states of health don’t just affect ourselves. Our states of
32 theStandardps.com
health affect or impact, for better or worse, on the lives of all those held most dearly around us as well. Let’s take a closer look at the right now, and future, today. I’d like you to consider a little different slant on our gift-giving tradition. I’d like you to go a little deeper in your thinking and examination of your connections to important/significant others. I’d like you to consider, in true humility, that it is the gift of yourself in the form of your healthiest presence that is the most valuable gift you can share with loved ones. Nevertheless, as always, it’s up to you to decide. Have a great Holiday Season, and a healthy and beautiful New Year! Dr. Kenneth Toth, BA, MAT, DC, RN, holds multiple degrees and credentials as a science educator, chiropractor, registered nurse, and personal trainer. He is currently limiting his professional activities to Personal Training/Nutritional Counseling. Dr. Ken is now accepting new clients at WorkOUT Gym, Palm Springs, CA for personal training along with nutritional counseling. He may be reached at 949-235-9408.