Gifting on occasions and festivals is common, but how often do you buy something as a gift for yourself? Here are 10 innovative gift ideas for doctors to have for themselves.

Let’s call it self-love if the idea of buying yourself a present sounds absurd. If you are not convinced, let’s say it’s the season of gifting and New Year’s would be a good time to buy something just for yourself. Now if you are wondering what to buy, we have suggestions so sit back and read on.

We want you to remember these compliments and let dopamine lead you into finding the best reward for yourself. After all, loving yourself and showing it is also important. Splurge big or small, but give yourself a little something- any item that you have been meaning to buy. Or book an experience that you are keen on having, anything at all! Before you leave the page to find yourself that perfect present, do check out our list of suggestions for you.

Here we give you 10 ideas, some of which are great for personal well-being and others, for practical or professional use.

1. Invest in a digital microscope pen: Technology continues to make our tasks easier and efficient, but the application depends entirely on us. Imagine not having to wait for a patient’s diagnosis because you could study his problem using a microscope pen on the spot. Warts, sinus, tonsils and just about anything external can be reviewed using this portable, pocket-size pen, which enables zooming into things to the microscopic level. Most brands that manufacture this microscope pen offer built-in storage and USB or Bluetooth connectivity. So you can store data on the analysed growth or body part and even transfer it to your laptop for adding to a patient’s digital health records. The tool not only helps you make your own observations but also, saves time for your patients.
2. Invest in books or an e-reader: If you cannot travel, read a book- said someone, who knew how books could transport you into a world away from yours. Reading regularly is a great habit, no matter what your age is. Since most of us prefer reading on the digital medium, we suggest getting yourself an e-reader, which allows you to download your favourite books and magazines and read them without carrying a bulk of bound papers. If you are someone who admires reading physical books, you already know what to do. So, get yourself books that you have been meaning to read or your own e-reader and make time for reading each day.
3. Buy a pair of noise-cancelling earphones: Noise-cancelling earphones are not really new but over time, many more brands have entered the market and their products have proven better at cancelling ambient sound. So even if you have one already, it might help to check out newer earphones, given the work-from-home culture or the task of having to hold webinars from the office. You might also want to go for a different form factor of earphones, or opt for Bluetooth or wireless ones, compact ones, or any other type with features suitable for you.
4. Get a digital voice recorder: Your busy schedule may have often left you with no time to put your thoughts down on paper. It could be for that research paper or that article for the hospital’s magazine if only you could have somehow recorded them. Well, a digital voice recorder can come in handy for recording audio notes and accessing them when needed. The device comes with a slot for adding a memory card for data storage. You can dictate your thoughts to record them and play the audio file later to write them down. Your mobile phones also have voice recorders and a similar playback system, however, there can be venues or say, conferences where mobile phones are not allowed. You may be allowed to carry your recording device with necessary permissions here and record your questions or points for review.
5. Book yourself a massage at a spa: Experiencing stress on a regular basis can cause tensing of muscles and spasms. Of course, you know this better than us and so, we would like you to imagine what it is like to feel completely relaxed, with all knots in your muscles disappearing as a masseuse works the problem areas. Not only that, studies have established that regular massages are good for reducing stress, boosting immunity and improving cardiovascular health. So, you could definitely use a spa day once in a while. You can go for it when your body needs loosening up, say after a long week of work or before starting a hectic week.
6. Bring home a karaoke machine: If you are someone who cannot think of ways to spruce up a party or can’t find time to make a family gathering livelier, just get a karaoke system. Karaoke in general means singing along to a soundless video of a song. A karaoke device features an exhaustive digital library of only videos of songs but with lyrics and a set of microphones and a speaker. Once you attach the device to a compatible TV, you can choose your favourite song, play the video and sing along with the help of its lyrics. Though the concept is pretty old now, it is still an easy way to get everyone to participate. These devices are easily available online and at most retail outlets selling electrical appliances.
7. Buy a yoga mat: Doctor, your field of work may not allow you to work from home and perhaps, your professional life has always kept you on your toes. But your body needs a change of pace and most importantly, a change of posture. And you can’t find time for a spa day every day, so how will you keep your body agile? You know the answer- get a little exercise! Get a yoga mat and keep it in a way that is accessible and more importantly visible. You can either set a time to exercise every day or grab the mat to do mild stretches any time you feel like it. You can also graduate to doing basic yoga poses or do a few cardio exercises on the mat. Once you have this available, you can simply roll it out and get started.
8. Experience rural tourism: The concept of rural tourism has grown manifolds to include eco-tourism, volunteer work and much more. Rural tourism invites city-dwellers to villages and work at the grass-root level, be it through farming, rearing cattle, or volunteering to do any other type of activity that would be useful to the villagers. Living in the countryside, just like the natives there and working like them can be an enriching experience for your body and soul. Working outside your comfort zone but close to mother nature can be extremely fulfilling especially if you can offer any form of service to people who otherwise do not get enough of it. There are many organisations across India that plan trips and activities for you in remote places of Rajasthan, Kutchh, Punjab, Leh, Odisha, and Maharashtra among others.
9. Get yourself a Rubik’s cube: If you have ever solved the cube as a child, this suggestion would have surely tickled your memory. The colourful old cube is known to sharpen muscle memory, the analytical mind, reflexes and concentration. So perhaps it is an easier means to keep the brain cells invigorated. The cube has evolved into different types to up the challenge for you. Not only that, there are competitions around the world to discover new Rubik’s Cube masters with different capabilities. Children and adults partake in the competition to solve different types of cubes in a matter of seconds, with eyes shut or both. We want to encourage you to get the basic Rubik’s cube or a more complex one and utilise some of your time solving them. If the cube doesn’t interest you, you may also opt for other types of puzzles like Sudoku or crossword.
10. Colour a mandala book: The art form of making Mandala is pronounced as soulful by many. Mandalas are made of patterns or circles that grow outwards. As per Buddhism, they denote progression in harmony with the universe. Experts say that drawing a mandala or even colouring a mandala promotes relaxation and restoration of the balance of our energies. We suggest getting yourself a mandala colouring book and spending some time every day on the activity. Drawing a mandala requires repeating patterns and hence, is a more effective means of experiencing a meditative state of mind. However, those just getting started with this art form can try their hands at colouring a mandala, which is equally good for bringing inner peace and alleviating anxieties.

We hope you like our suggestions and buy yourself that, which seems most appealing and useful to you. Aside from self-love, getting a present for yourself this New Year’s is a sure-shot way of fulfilling your goals and definitely better than finding a resolution to keep.