Feel like punching a wall? We hear you. But instead take a deep breath and grab one of these tried-and-tested stress remedies
April is Stress Awareness Month but quite frankly we don’t need a special four-week period of reflection, we’re highly aware of our stress, thank you very much! Yet unless you have no responsibilities, unlimited wealth and a vast team of servants tending to your every whim, stress is simply a fact of life. The key is learning to manage it – and plenty of gadgets, products and accoutrements are out there to help you grab the odd moment of calm amid the daily madness. Here are nine of our favourite stress-busters. And relaaax…
1. Soothing drops: Cannabotech Relax Drops*, £79
Medicinal mushrooms are the buzzword of the moment in mood and stress management and these delicious drops (and it’s quite hard to make mushrooms tasty) feature the power mushroom trio of lion's mane, reishi and cordyceps combined with 1000mg of CBD plus chamomile and lavender. Take 10 drops at a time under your tongue, hold for 30 to 60 seconds – and relax.
*The CBD product mentioned is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease. We recommend that you check with your GP/doctor before starting a new dietary supplement.
2. Pebble power: Hukka Eye Refreshers, £24.99 for two
If a couple of flimsy cucumber slices on the eyes don’t quite cut it for a relaxing lie-down, try these rustic eye stones, made from Finnish Carelian soapstone, which is apparently 2 billion years old (not sure how they know that tbh). They’re so heavy you can’t actually open your eyes while wearing them so consider it enforced relaxation - they’re the optical version of a weighted blanket. They’re also deliciously cooling on your skin, and you can make them colder still by storing them in the fridge. And full marks for sustainability - if you get bored of them, you can just plonk them in your garden.
3. Nailed it: Bed Of Nails Acupressure Mat, £70
OK, voluntarily lying on a bed of nails doesn’t sound entirely relaxing but think of this more like a yoga mat with small spikes. The 8,800 plastic ‘nails’ are designed to connect with pressure points - a bit like acupuncture needles - all over the body helping to relieve stress and tension, lessen aches and pains and release the happy hormone, oxytocin. Beginners start by wearing a T-shirt and aiming for ten minutes to get used to it.
4. Literary inspiration: Enchantment by Katherine May, £13.90
The new book from May, author of the cult classic Wintering, is basically a soothing hug in literary form. Her beautifully lyrical writing urges us to reconnect with the idea of enchantment, as an antidote to our always-on, 100mph lifestyles. Many of her suggestions involve taking more notice of the natural world around us - simple things such as enjoying the reassuring weight of a pebble in your hand at the beach or grounding yourself by walking barefoot on grass. And of course the very act of losing yourself in a book - any book - will automatically make your shoulders drop and slow your breathing.
5. Put on the red light: Dermalux Flex MD Light Therapy Device, £1,895 or £82.39 per month over 24 months
If you struggle to power nap, 30 minutes under this clinical-grade LED device (it has red, blue and NIR) will send even the most recalcitrant nappers off into a healing beauty sleep (believe us we rely on it. LED light is said to help with mood and that’s certainly our experience with this device, which you wear with goggles. We also love it for aches, pains and muscle strains, for which it’s also FDA-approved.
6. She bangs the drums: Hayo’u Silicone Body Drummer, £38
This silicone drummer that looks rather like a dog toy is an absolutely joyous way of actively discharging your angst in a similar way to an animal shaking off its stress. Simply thwack it all over your body to get the energy and the lymphatic system moving and give yourself a firm pressure massage on any areas of tightness. Once you’ve bought one, you’ll definitely want another as drumming two at a time feels blissful.
7. Weighty issue: Spritz Wellness Lavender Wheat Bag, £35
Weighted blankets are designed to make you feel secure when you sleep but they can be a bit, well, weighty for some. If that’s the case, this wheat bag, which looks small in the picture but which is actually a good 60cm long, may be a good alternative. It can be warmed in the microwave, chilled in the freezer or left at room temperature. Place it over your eyes and the top part of your face (it can also be used elsewhere on the body to soothe aches and pains, including period cramps), close your eyes and breathe in the lavender scent. It’s great for carving out a moment of relaxation on WFH days and also for the savasana relaxation bit at the end of your yoga class.
8. Bathing belle: Oskia Moon Salts, £68
Having a nice bath may sound like slightly trite advice when everything feels like it’s closing in but research has shown that bathing in warm water impacts the nervous system, helping reduce cortisol levels. Add these luxe bath salts to get more bang for your de-stressing buck. They contain magnesium (said to reduce anxiety and encourage sleep) as well as coconut milk to make skin feel silky soft.
9. Calm balm: Bertioli Water Meadow Breathing Balm, £22
A weekend away at tranquil Cotswolds spa hotel Thyme out of the question? Here’s the next best thing - a breathing balm from the retreat’s sibling beauty and lifestyle brand, Bertioli. Its verdant fragrance immediately transports you (metaphorically at least) to a more bucolic place. Apply to wrists and chest during moments of overwhelm throughout the day and breathe in the heady mix of water mint, apple blossom, rosemary, camomile and eucalyptus essential oils, blended with creamy shea butter.
*The CBD product mentioned is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease. We recommend that you check with your GP/doctor before starting a new dietary supplement.