More than one-third of Americans say the COVID-19 pandemic is having a serious impact on their mental health, according to a recent poll from the American Psychiatric Association. Now, more than ever, we need ways to de-stress. There are so many products touting stress relieving benefits, it can be overwhelming to know which ones to buy. We’ve done the research and read the reviews to help you choose the best stress and anxiety relief products suited for your specific needs in 2021. These products are not paid endorsements and were chosen based on consumer reviews, expert insight, and the author’s evaluation. The winners are listed in alphabetical order.
Anzhongli Mala Beads
Why You Should Buy Anzhongli Mala Beads
The beads are handmade from high-quality natural wood — with no scent or paint.It’s affordable, costing less than $12.It’s made with an elastic cord that is durable and comfortable. It can be worn as a necklace or easily wrapped as a bracelet.It comes in a variety of wood types.The beads are waterproof and sweatproof.
Bearaby Napper Weighted Blanket
There is something about snuggling under blankets and comforters that, as the name aptly suggests, is comforting. The weight of a heavy blanket can have a calming effect, especially for people who have trouble sleeping, according to a study published in May 2015 in the Journal of Sleep Medicines & Disorders. There are a wide variety of weighted blankets on the market, and choosing one is largely a personal preference, but the Bearaby Napper is our pick.
Why You Should Buy a Bearaby Napper Weighted Blanket
The Bearaby Napper is made of dense organic yarn, which is knit loose and loopy like a chunky sweater. Here are more reasons why it’s a winner:
The open-knit construction provides great air flow, so you don’t get too hot or claustrophobic.It’s not only functional, it looks good too — you can easily use it as a throw in your living room.The blankets come in 15-, 20- and 25-pound versions. Experts recommend the weight of the blanket be 10 percent your body weight.Bearaby Napper offers a 30-day no-questions-asked return policy.
A few words of caution: While you can machine wash it, it can be hard to dry. Also, some people may not like the blanket’s loopy holes because their toes and fingers may poke through. Get the Bearaby Napper at the Bearaby.com
BirdRock Meditation Chair
Why You Should Buy the BirdRock Home Floor Chair
Comfortable: The multipurpose chair is made of soft, memory foam fabric that cushions and supports your body, especially your lower back, a common source of pain when sitting on the floor.Adjustable: The chair is completely adjustable, with 14 different positions, including laying down flat. You will be able to find the perfect setting that suits your needs so that you can sit longer in meditation.Multiple uses: While it’s best to have set props for meditating in order to create that sacred space, you may find other family members clamoring to use this since it can make for a great gaming or TV watching chair.Easy storage: The chair is smaller than it looks. It’s 19” X 23” X 22” dimensions makes it easy to slide under the bed or put in a closet in a flat position when not in use. However, the chair is over 10 pounds, so it is not as portable outside the home.Multiple colors: It comes in different colors so you can pick one that matches your home décor.
Get the BirdRock Floor Chair at BirdRockHome.com
Headspace Meditation App
Why You Should Buy Headspace
While the Headspace app’s ease of use and cute images may be enough to get you hooked, it’s the thoughtful beginner’s sequence that makes Headspace our favorite. Headspace introduces beginners to the basics of meditation, gradually building them up to a more advanced practice. With a 4.9 out of 5 star rating across 250,000 users in the Apple store, you can’t go wrong with Headspace. Here are some more reasons why we love it:
It has varied lengths of meditations, ranging from 3 to 5 to 10 minutes, and includes a timer.It includes rescue meditations for emergency situations when you feel stressed, angry or panicked.Headspace offers a two-week free trial.
Get the Headspace: Meditation & Sleep app on the AppStore
Manduka Prolite Yoga Mat
Western medicine is catching on to what Eastern spiritual practitioners have known for centuries — yoga is good for your mind and body, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. It can make you stronger and more flexible, keeps you calm and focused, and may boost your immune system. To get the most benefits from your practice, it’s worth investing in a durable yoga mat, like the Manduka Prolite yoga mat.
Why You Should Buy Manduka Prolite Yoga Mat
It’s supportive: It cushions your joints without sacrificing stability and its stickiness provides a good grip.It’s durable: While it’s not the cheapest mat on the market, it will hold up well.It can be slippery at first, until you break it in or when you sweat, but serious yogis see this as a positive since it forces you to engage on your mat more.It’s made from odor-resistant material.It’s portable: it’s only 4 pounds so it is easy to tote around.It’s eco-conscious and sustainable: Most Manduka products are made from biodegradable, natural-made, recyclable materials. It’s also latex free.It comes with a lifetime guarantee.
Get the Manduka Prolite yoga mat at Manduka.com
Muse Brain-Sensing Headband
Why You Should Buy Muse Brain-Sensing Headband
It’s easy to use and instructional. The headband syncs to the Muse app on your phone or tablet. Tutorials walk you through how to properly adjust the headband to ensure it reads your brain and body signals accurately. Muse shares tips and guidance during the first ten sessions to help users find a mediation practice that works best for them. Subscriptions are offered for over 500 guided meditations.The Muse S design, although more expensive than Muse 2, has a sleep monitoring component.You can track your progress after each session.It’s slim and comfortable.It’s helpful for a more technical mind that enjoys the use of technology to support their practice.
Get the Muse headband at ChooseMuse.com
NuLeaf Naturals CBD Oil
Note: Because it is an oral supplement, although it’s generally safe at lower doses, discuss with your primary care physician, especially if you’re planning to take it long term.
Why You Should Buy NuLeaf Naturals CBD
NuLeaf Naturals CBD oil is one of the highest rated and reviewed CBD oil on the market. There are some 20,000 customer reviews on this product, with an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars. Consumers love it, and here’s why:
NuLeaf is made from full-spectrum hemp extract that is highly concentrated in CBD and secondary cannabinoids like CBC, CBG, and CBN. Cannabinoids work synergistically with each other and are more effective when they are found together.NuLeaf Naturals oil is pure, containing only organically grown hemp.All products are tested by a third-party lab, so you know it contains what it says it does and is free of contaminants like pesticides, heavy metals, mold, and fungi. They post their lab results online for consumers to read.NuLeaf uses CO2 extraction for processing to retrieve a complete range of cannabinoids, terpenes, essential oils, and other phytonutrients. This allows for a more potent and purer product.
Before trying CBD oil, talk to your doctor, especially if you take medications or supplements. If you are experiencing extreme anxiety, seek care from your doctor. Get NuLeaf Naturals CBD oil at NuLeafNaturals.com Learn More About CBD
PureNature Ultra Calm
When it comes to easing frazzled nerves, PureNature Ultra Calm is the supplement of choice for over 4,355 consumers. It contains a blend of 18 herbal extracts known to have anti-anxiety, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, along with other essential vitamins and minerals. Here’s why we like it:
Why You Should Buy PureNature Ultra Calm
It’s made from 100 percent natural ingredients — no fillers, binders, or artificial colors — and includes ingredients that have been proven by scientific studies to reduce anxiety, such as B-vitamins, magnesium, Rhodiola rosea, Lutein, Ashwagandha, GABA, chamomile, passionflower, lemon balm, and more.It’s backed by a 365-day risk-free guarantee, or your money back.It’s made in the United States in FDA-registered and certified laboratories and is third party tested.Remember: This is a supplement and includes many herbs, so discuss with your primary care physician before taking long term.
Get PureNature supplements at PureNaturePlus.com Learn More About Stress-Relief Supplements
The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment, by Eckhart Tolle
Why You Should Buy The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment
Get the book at EckhartTolle.com
Urpower 300 ml Aroma Essential Oil Diffuser
Certain scents, including those from plant-derived essential oils like lavender, can have a calming effect. Some studies have shown that aromatherapy may bring relief from anxiety and depression and improve sleep. While scientific studies supporting this claim — such as a review published in 2015 in the Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine — are limited, there is generally no harm in using essential oils to make a room smell good. Urpower’s aroma essential oil diffuser is our diffuser of choice.
