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From (Heated) Pillows to Calming Canned Drinks, Here Are 14 Ways to Relieve Stress This Week
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It’s okay to not feel 100 right now. But no matter the circumstances, the symptoms of a bad mood — sadness, restlessness, insomnia — can oftentimes be addressed through easy at-home methods and items, even if things are still stressful around us because of [gestures to all of this].
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The good news is that certain brands are helping increase awareness of ways that you can take time for yourself and help boost your mood naturally. Each year the stigma around discussing mental health becomes less taboo, and there are things you can add to your day-to-day routine to help release stress and feel a little bit more like yourself.
And while everyone’s relationship with mental health is different (and ever evolving), the important thing is to not leave your feelings unchecked. Whether you’re looking for a way to not lose any more sleep to doom-scrolling, something to help calm your nerves during election week, or something to cheer you (or a friend) up, we’ve rounded up products that can help bring some lightness and levity back to your life. Scroll through this list to find a few easy ways to get a little lift this week.
(Note: we don’t profess to be medical professionals, so if you’re experiencing severe mood swings or anxiety, it’s always best to speak to a doctor).
Apollo Wearable
$299.99 $349.99 14% off
Wrist watches aren’t just for tracking your fitness goals or even helping you sleep anymore — these days, companies like Apollo are making wearables to help relieve stress.
We like this Apollo wearable, which works by delivering smooth, gentle vibrations to your wrist or ankle that the brand says activates a nervous system response, helping get you out of a “fight or flight” state of stress. Connect it to the Apollo app, which features seven modes based on how you want to feel, like “Clear and Focused” or “Sleep and Renew”. You can customizable settings for duration (the battery can handle up to 8 hours of continuous use) and intensity. Remember – consistency is key here, because you’re essentially retraining your nervous system so that you can eventually manage stress a little easier on your own.
Sunday Scaries Side Piece Bundle
$54
The team at Sunday Scaries believes that the key to improving your mood could start from eliminating the “manifestations of worry.”
According to Sunday Scaries, their CBD products are for the everyday worries in life, like dealing with your annoying coworkers, rush hour traffic, and yes, even those Sunday night moral hangovers. Sunday Scaries’ CBD gummies contain 10mg of third party-tested broad spectrum CBD, along with vitamin D3 and vitamin B12.
The Side Piece bundle also includes their 500mg CBD Oil, for anyone looking for a nighttime calming reinforcement. But their original CBD gummies can be incorporated with other daily vitamins as well. Take a gummy as needed when you feel moodiness symptoms creeping in — it’s like how you’d feel after getting a good pep talk from a friend.
Hugimals
$64.00
The idea of a plush toy relieving stress or anxiety might sound a little silly, but trust us on this one.
Hugimals are weighted stuffed animals, each weighing about 4.5 pounds. They’re specifically designed to “hug you back” and the brand says it can help relieve anxiety and even soothe stress. You can choose between four adorable plush toys, each resembling a beloved animal in neutral, non-stimulating colors.
I’ve spent the last two weeks with Emory the Elephant and use my toy every time I’m suffering from high stress or anxiety. I simply place my Hugimal on my belly or chest and it feels and works just like a weighted blanket would. The toy offers deep pressure stimulation which releases hormones like oxytocin and dopamine, designed to bring on a physical relaxation response. If you’re looking for an easy way to relieve daily stress — no matter your age — grab your own Hugimals today.
Kin Euphorics Lightwave Grounding Calm Spritz (8-Pack)
$34.99
Kin Euphorics bills itself as a euphoric, categorized as mood-enhancing, non-alcoholic beverages that “lift the mind, relax the body,” and encourage sleep and blissed-out states. Kin Euphorics was the first packaged example on the market in 2018, mixing adaptogens, botanicals, and nootropics (compounds that support cognition). Kin’s Lightwave grounding spritz-in-acan defies easy categorization, but can be used as a pre-bed beverage (we even like to use it as a mixer in a tasty mocktail).
Pact Room Service Sateen Sheet Set
$67+ $90+ 26% off
A good night’s rest can be instrumental to your mood (and overall mental wellbeing), and can bring relaxation in the morning if you can get all eight recommended hours in. That’s where Pact’s organic cotton sateen bedding comes in — not only do these wrinkle-resistant bed sheets feel silky smooth, they’re cool to the touch for anyone who runs hot, or is just in desperate need of decent shut-eye. The set comes with a fitted sheet, a flat sheet, two pillowcases, and a handy laundry bag
Aromatech Ambience Home Diffuser and Fragrance
$185 $257 28% off
$185 $257 28% off
Studies show that aromatherapy can help alleviate symptoms anxiety, stress, and depression, and design-minded R&R seekers can rest easy with this essential oil diffuser by Aromatech. Not only did this make Oprah’s Favorite Things list for 2024, but the sleek silhouette looks handsome on anyone’s nightstand or coffee table.
The best part? You can schedule it to turn on from your phone (as well as adjust the level of fragrance), which means that when you walk through the door, your home will smell like that aah feeling of stepping into a spa lobby. The matte ceramic cover also brings a touch of luxury to rooms of any decor styles (it’s available in multiple colors).
Bespoke Post Drift Box
$70
Speaking of catching some shut-eye, we’re big fans of Bespoke Post’s thoughtful themed gift boxes and the fact that they include items from small businesses (which you should be supporting year-round).
The company’s sleep-promoting Drift kit includes Gravity’s weighted eye mask, BluBlox’s evening-friendly Lumi Sleep+ redd light bulb, Salt Lab’s magnesium spray oil, and The Good Patch’s stick-on Dream patches (infused with 10 milligrams of melatonin, hops extract, and valerian root), all to help you doze off a little easier after your most stressful days.
MindPanda Mind & Body Stress Balls For Adults
$21.90
When all of the high-tech relaxation gadgets aren’t cutting it, sometimes a classic stress relief ball will do the trick. For anyone who could use an optimistic reminder or two (or three), this trio of BPA-free gel balls combine aromatherapy, mindfulness, and traditional squeeze therapy to relieve anxiety. Since each ball features a different scent and firmness, and the set also works double-duty for anyone who wants to improve their grip and hand muscles.
<strong>Luxy Light Therapy Lamp</strong>
$34.99
One of the easiest ways to boost your mood is with a little bit of light therapy. This UV-free desk lamp delivers a warm, cascading glow to mimic the appearance of sunlight. With Daylight Savings Time having just kicked in, it’s great for those who need a pick-me-up during the darkening day. It’s also idea for those who have trouble waking up in the mornings, as the gentle light slowly lulls you up from bed.
The mood lamp delivers up to 10,000 lux of light; choose from three modes based on your light sensitivities and desired effect. The LED natural light lasts approximately 50,000 hours, so there’s not need for constantly changing batteries. The simple, portable design allows the lamp to easily stand on a desk or bedside table; it folds flat when not in use.
Salviv Dead Sea Magnesium Oil
$18 $20 10% off
While there’s no magic pill that can help alleviate all your mental worries, consider a spritz or two from this Dead Sea Oil. This spray from Salviv is rich in Magnesium, which helps regulate cortisol levels (the hormone responsible for stress) and can promote a sense of calm. It’s also a natural muscle relaxant (as we once again remind you to unclench your jaw and relax your shoulders) — simply spray onto areas where you hold the most tension, such as your legs, back, or shoulders. Massage gently into the skin and let the magnesium absorb naturally. For best results, use daily as part of your self-care routine.
WonderCalm Mushroom Gummies
$34.99
$34.99
“Functional mushrooms” have basically become a buzzword these days with no shortage of fungi-friendly products that purport to promote good health and good happiness. While it can’t beat serious bouts of depression or anxiety, those who just need a little daily sense of ease will want to consider these WonderCalm gummies from Plant People.
These gummies are a great way to get into adaptogenic shrooms for the first time, each serving containing over 900mg of Ashwagandha, Reishi, L-Theanine and Rhodiola with clinical doses of 10:1 extracts to help contribute to feelings of relief and relaxation. Unlike some CBD gummies, these won’t have the unintended side effect of making you drowsy — just giving you a fresh dose of calm that you can take with you anywhere.
Recess Mood Powder
$20.80
$14.99
For an easier way to add some relaxation to your routine, we love Recess’ perfectly-precise Mood Powder, which you can use for a sweet, soothing drink to unwind from your day.
Essentially an instant drink mix, each individually-wrapped pack contains 50% DV of magnesium with magnesium L-threonate, passion flower and L-theanine (adaptogens to help you de-stress), and electrolytes for hydration. We like the “Gradient Berry” packet which gives your drink light fruity flavor. Why we also like Recess Mood Powder: it offers you the flexibility of calm on your terms, wherever and whenever you need it most.
Heatbag by Ostrichpillow
$60.00
$60
The company behind the ingenious (if a little clunky) Ostrich pillow has come up with a much easier way to relax. The Heatbag (stylized as one word) is a new take on the classic hot water bottle or heating pad. It’s filled with natural clay, rather than water inside, which is safer to use and stays warm or cold for a longer period of time. The filling is wrapped inside a squishy memory foam cover and lined with a T-shirt-soft jersey material.
Microwave the clay for just 30 seconds and zip it inside the cover. The bag is designed to release heat slowly; we alternated between having the Heatbag against our back and propped on our shoulders, and the warmth lasted for hours. If you want to melt away your stress or recover a little “me” time, this should be an essential part of your self-care kit.
Talkspace
You don’t have to wait until you’re in total crisis mode to take advantage of therapy. Get out what’s on your mind with one well-reviewed teletherapy option, used even by celebs like Michael Phelps and Demi Lovato—Talkspace is a subscription-based therapy service that you can even use from home. When you sign up, you’ll be matched with a therapist from their network of licensed professionals, and communicate through live video sessions, text messages, phone calls, as well as picture and video messages in a private, text-based chat room. Not only is it accessible, with the ability to reach out to a therapist 24/7, but affordable too — Talkspace accepts many major insurance plans such as Cigna and Humana.
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