7 Gifts that Get You Healthier, Happier, and Cost You Nothing

2) The gift of a silent night:

Put down the phone and shut off the TV. Instead, pick up that book you've been wanting to read or draw a bath and soak away the stresses of your day. Too often, we're bombarded by noise and information and are living in a kind of digital and noise "smog". And in fact, too much sound may even elevate our blood pressure and our heart rate, as well as our stress levels. Being quiet and being in the moment often helps to clarify our thinking—about problems, about our relationships, and about what direction we should be headed in. Think of it as meditating without the need to actually meditate. It was author William Penn who said "True silence is to the spirit what sleep is to the body, nourishment and refreshment." How true!

4) The gift of health:

It's so true that we don't really appreciate our health until it's taken away from us. (As one British writer—Thomas Fuller—said, "Health is not valued until sickness comes"). This month, revel in the fact that you are healthy—and celebrate that by continuing to take good care of your one and only body: eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and dairy—and take your multivitamin every day. Then share the gift of health with a loved one by cooking something healthy and delicious for them or taking time to walk with them or making sure they take their multivitamin every day, too.

6) The gift of a good night's sleep:

Think about it. When was the last time you got a truly great night's sleep? For many of us, this simple joy is elusive. Make it a point this month to get a good night's sleep by putting in place some basic sleep essentials: make sure your room is not too hot (a good temperature is 69°F), too dry (run a humidifier in your bedroom so humidity levels are between 40% and 50%), too light (a completely dark room is best as it stimulates production of the sleep hormone melatonin), too stimulated (keep your cell phone off—and out of your room), or too loud (shut the phone off and ask family members to give you the gift of quiet while you get some shut-eye). And lastly, be sure to not exercise or use the computer at least two hours before you head to bed as both are stimulating and could prevent you from falling asleep. And when you do finally get some quality shut-eye—and wake up feeling energized—you'll realize just how amazing a gift sleep really is.