32 Double-Duty, Stress-Reducing Gifts.

I know Christmas just ended, but it’s not too early to get started on next year’s gift giving. So, give some things away this coming Christmas. Not just on Christmas, but during all the weeks leading up to December 25. We could call these weekly gifts “our Christmas projects.” Maybe do one per week from now until December 25th. Here are a few suggestions and when you exhaust the list, go back to the beginning and start again. Let’s make Christmas one long, extended gift of ourselves to others. Unselfishly. Without announcement. Or obligation. Or reservation. Or hypocrisy.

Each one of the things on the list below is a double-duty, stress-reducer. A little kindness shown towards another person is an obvious way to help another person reduce stress. In addition, many people don’t realize that when we do something nice for someone else it increases the Oxytocin (trust hormone) and Dopamine (feel good hormone) levels in our own bodies. Higher levels of both of these hormones is highly desired in a good stress management program.

1. Mend a quarrel.
2. Seek out a forgotten friend.
3. Dismiss suspicion.
4. Write a long overdue love note.
5. Hug someone tightly and whisper, “I love you so.”
6. Forgive an enemy.
7. Be gentle and patient with an angry person.
8. Express appreciation.
9. Gladden the heart of a child.
10. Find the time to keep a promise.
11. Make or bake something for someone else—anonymously.
12. Release a grudge.
13. Listen.
14. Speak kindly to a stranger.
15. Enter into another’s sorrow.
16. Smile. Laugh a little. Laugh a little more.
17. Take a walk with a friend.
18. Kneel down and pat a dog.
19. Read a poem or two to your mate or friend.
20. Lessen your demands on others.
21. Play some beautiful music during the evening meal.
22. Apologize if you were wrong.
23. Turn off the television and talk.
24. Treat someone to an ice cream cone (yogurt would be fine).
25. Do the dishes for the family.
26. Pray for someone who helped you when you hurt.
27. Fix breakfast on Saturday morning.
28. Give a soft answer even though you feel strongly.
29. Encourage an older person.
30. Point out 1 thing you appreciate about someone you work with or live near.
31. Offer to babysit for a weary mother.
32. Give your teacher a break: be especially cooperative.

Adapted from Charles R. Swindoll’s “The Finishing Touch.”