Blame it on the past year as a whole or just the holidays, but chances are you’re feeling more stressed than usual right now.
Health expert Dr. says many of us are already too busy. Ann Kurtz. “Then you add additional responsibilities and obligations, more social activities, people to entertain, the arrival of family,” she said. “That means oh, I have to clean the yard and the house. I have extra cooking. If it’s Christmas, I have to think about what I’m going to prepare for people, what gifts I’m going to give.”
Luckily, there are ways to reduce this stress, and we talked to health and organization experts about how to keep stress together, even if you want to escape it.
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Zappos $130
CNN Underscore Best Test
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CNN Underscore Best Test
Lululemon $88
CNN Underscore Best Test
From $98 at Lululemon
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For a more affordable option, these Lululemon-like pieces are great for working out or lounging around the house.
Amazon $46
If all the stress is building up in your upper back, neck, and shoulders (which it usually is), this heated back massager is handy to use and excellent at relieving those tight knots.
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Sometimes all you really need is a cuddle, and a weighted blanket like our favorite blanket at Bearaby can provide calming pressure when you’re lounging on the couch or drifting off to sleep.
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“I call them superstar foods for stress protection,” Kurz says of stress-relieving teas. “Sipping camellia tea freshly brewed. That’s green tea, black tea, oolong tea, white tea.” You need something to brew all the teas you’ll drink, and this highly rated, reasonably priced kettle has a beautiful Appearance and ability to provide hot water quickly.
Food52 $36
Love loose-leaf tea? This infuser set allows you to steep your tea (or herb) of choice in hot water or broth.
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“I’m a big fan of licorice tea. It’s been shown to reduce anxiety and help with digestive issues (a common side effect of stress),” says Karim.
From $125 on Amazon
To make sure your tea stays toasty as you sip, we’ve got nothing but praise for the Ember Mug, which will keep your hot beverage hot for hours on end. It also comes in bright red for the holidays.
From $30 on Amazon or Fellow
Pack your soothing beverage into this adorable travel mug, which comes in basically every color. Just sip as the traffic and the world fly by.
Uncommon Goods$58
“For as long as I can remember, lavender-scented products have been recommended for relaxation and stress relief,” says Kraut. This set will help you with your relaxing routine and help you sleep soundly with the power of aromatherapy.
Amazon $39.97
“Frankly, during the holidays, when people often have more fun and party more, their sleep is disrupted,” Kurz said. Increases your tendency to feel stressed when you shouldn’t be.” Another lavender stress-relieving option, this gift set is perfect to take home for yourself or to give to a stressed-out friend or family member. Luxury soaps, essential oils, and natural hand creams—all made in the USA.