HOW TO RELAX
HERE IS OUR PICK OF THE TOP EVERYDAY STRESS-BUSTING PRODUCTS AND DEVICES
Stress is ever present so it is critical to have some strategies to help you hit the reset button. Many Australians are buying products such as essential oils, colouring books and massage tools as both the mental health and economic strain from the pandemic continue to rise.
“An anxiety journal is highly therapeutic and allows you to reflect on what’s happened to you and how you’ve managed the stress,” says clinical psychologist Cliff Battley, who manages patients experiencing the discomfort of social isolation and emotional disconnection.
Luke McLeod, founder of meditation platform Soul Alive, says Zen-leaning items can allow you to do daily tasks more confidently, experience less pain and keep yourself feeling healthier and happier.
Here are their top 10 everyday stress-busting products to help keep you sane.
1 MEDITATION APPS
For those who have a little trouble powering off, mindfulness and meditation apps will guide you through every step. McLeod’s Soul Alive app is an online meditation platform where you can attend live-streamed guided meditation classes to help relax and de-stress.
2 THERA CANE MASSAGER
Applying pressure with a Thera
Cane (a deep-pressure massage device that’s shaped like a large candy cane) is a great way to relieve stress and muscle tension. The knobs make it easy to get at all the nooks and crannies of your back where knots may be hiding.
3 HIMALAYAN SALT LAMP
Sometimes the best relaxation products are the strategic elements that you add to your decor. The glowing light of a salt lamp is incredibly calming and you can even control the brightness with a dimming feature.
4 ACUPRESSURE MAT
If you can’t visit your acupuncturist, an acupressure mat can provide a sense of calm and relaxation after a long day spent working from your couch. It’s perfect for intense back and neck aches, should you find yourself dealing with stress knots.
5 AROMATHERAPY CANDLES
Burning a scented candle can be an effective way to reduce stress. Aromatherapy candles with blends of jasmine, rosewood or therapeutic lavender are known to eliminate nervous tension.
6 NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES
Slip into your own world and leave behind the stresses of the world for a moment by listening to audiobooks or some soothing tunes.
7 COLOURING BOOKS
A playful way to unwind, most adult colouring books feature a series of intricate patterns and illustrations that will distract you from stress and transport you back to simpler days of childhood.
8 ANXIETY JOURNAL
Track your daily moods and sketch your feelings in an anxiety journal. Most journals include a daily entry prompt that will allow you to jot down things you’re thankful for — which will help you to focus on the positive and feel at peace with the world around you.
9 WEIGHTED BLANKET
A weighted blanket can relieve anxiety and improve sleep quality — something we could all use now. Its quilted cotton cover holds a multitude of miniature glass beads inside.
10 MINI ZEN GARDEN
These are designed to mimic the landscaped gardens found in Japanese Zen temples and can help relieve stress. Arranging the stones and raking the sand can relax your mind. Repetitive physical movements allow you to focus on the moment. Keep your garden at your work desk or at home.