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The Best Products for Anxiety Relief
Acupressure Mat
Omg, I could rant and rave about the benefits of an acupressure mat for anxiety. I’ve had this exact acupressure mat for about a year and use it several times per week, if not almost every night. (This one has since come out and it’s cheaper…but the one I have is higher rated and the best seller, so I’ll just let you choose for yourself!)
People can use acupressure mats for a variety of reasons because there are a variety of benefits, which is why I put it first on the list of best products for anxiety relief. They work by hitting nerve ending and acupressure points to increase blood flow and stimulate the production of happy hormones (like oxytocin and endorphins).
Some acupressure mat benefits include anxiety and stress relief, pain relief, increased blood flow and circulation, and relaxation.
To use, I simply put my mat and the pillow that comes with it on the floor and lay topless so the plastic pins can really do their work. I have an insanely low pain tolerance and love the way it feels, but if you find that it’s too painful you can easily do this with a shirt on or put a towel down!
Happy Light
I heard about happy lights for anxiety and depression several months back and cannot believe it took me so long to get one! I use this portable happy light in the morning and have really noticed a difference in my mood and energy compared to when I don’t use it!
People use happy lights for light therapy for anxiety, depression, seasonal depression, and for a general mood boost. It can really help your mood during seasonal changes or and winter months when there isn’t much sunlight available.
Weighted Blanket
When I tried my sister’s weighted blanket I was so tempted to steal it because it was just THAT GOOD. If you’ve read any reviews online that talk about it being like a hug, it’s not a lie.
Weighted blankets have several benefits that range from insomnia and anxiety relief. I use mineas a blanket when I sleep and have noticed that I’m able to fall asleep so much easier and don’t wake up as much throughout the night. Before I was waking up about 5 ish times per night and with the weighted blanket I’m down to 1-2, which I call a win since it helps me fall right back to sleep.
I also drape my weighted blanket over my shoulders when I’m working to help calm my racing thoughts and help me focus. And because it feels just like a hug I also use it on those days when you need all the hugs you can get.
Essential Oils
Scents and aromas can really do a lot to improve your mood. If you’re as big of a scent fanatic as I am, then you’ll find essential oils to be really beneficial when you’re feeling anxious. I use essential oils mostly with a diffuser (this diffuser to be exact–it also doubles as a Bluetooth speaker!) so my entire space can smell lovely.
You can also use roller balls (this variety is great and helps for so many feelings!) or apply the essential oils with a carrier oil.
My absolute favorite essential oil to relieve anxiety is lavender. I always love the scent, but when I’m feeling anxious or stressed, it makes me feel even more calm.
Buddha Board
Another one of the best products for anxiety relief is a Buddha board. They are perfect for stress and anxiety relief. All it is is a board where you paint on it with water and your creation (and theoretically, stress) goes away!
They’re meant to help you be more mindful and present and so fun to play with. And you can easily get one on Amazon!
Coloring Book
If you still need to get your mind off of whatever is making you anxious, then a coloring book could be just for you. Coloring books have become so popular for easing stress and anxiety in adults that there are even adult-specific books–like these books with curse phrases for adults.
Now these are bound to be one of the best products for anxiety relief and even bring on some laughter
Calming Teas
If I could open my own tea shop, I so would. I’ll have my standard cup of coffee in the morning, but the rest of the day my drink of choice is tea. Just like essential oils, the aroma and taste of my calming teas just make me feel, well…calm 
I recommend teas with minimal or no caffeine in them as caffeine can potentially spike your anxiety even more. I’m currently obsessed with this brand of tea because they are both organic and non-GMO 
Massage Lacrosse Balls
If you’re like me with handling anxiety, then you probably hold all your anxiety in your neck, shoulders, and upper back. When I couldn’t take the pain any longer, I hit up my chiropractor and one of the exercises I did was with a lacrosse ball. And lemme tell ya, it feels so good. Rolling the ball against stressed muscles helps give you a little DIY massage and eases your stress.
To use a lacrosse ball to work out any stress, simply find a blank wall, put the ball between the pain point and the wall, and apply a little (or a lot) pressure while you move/roll the ball around your back. It does take a little practice. When I first used a lacrosse ball on my stressed shoulders, I think I dropped the ball almost every 2 seconds. But you get the hang of it!
Positivity Journals
If you’re struggling with gratitude and being more mindful, I highly recommend making a small investment into a positivity journal. I’ve recently started journaling and getting my ideas down on paper really helps me visualize my thoughts.
I love to
Guess what? You’re one step closer to calming that anxiety and these are the best products for anxiety relief that will help decrease your stress and improve your mental health. These things for anxiety are also the best products for relaxation!
More Mental Health Posts You’ll LOVE:
How to Relieve Anxiety and Stress to Improve Mental Health
Self-Care Ideas and Why Self-Care Isn’t Selfish
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21 Tools for Emotional Wellness and Sleep Health
People are increasingly paying attention to mental health these days, and that’s great news for individuals and society as a whole.
Per the CDC, “mental health” is an umbrella term that includes a person’s emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing. Mental health impacts every facet of our lives — from what we think to how we feel, how we choose to act, and even our physical health. For instance, depression can increase the risk for a variety of physical health issues including diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
Emotional wellness also has a major influence on sleep quality. Those who are struggling with their mental health are more likely to suffer from insomnia and other sleep disorders. It’s a chicken-or-the-egg situation, because sleep quality (or the lack thereof) also has a strong influence on a person’s emotional wellbeing. When we’re sleep deprived, our mental health is likely to take a hit. In contrast, when we consistently enjoy sound sleep, we’re more likely to experience overall well-being.
Luckily, you don’t have to leave emotional and sleep health up to chance. We spoke with psychologists, therapists, and established business owners who have had success with improving their sleep and mental wellbeing thanks to a variety of apps, hands-on tools, and Shark Tank products. Together, their recommendations and insights produced a cornucopia of products that could support emotional wellness and sleep.
Apps to Improve Mental Health and Sleep
These helpful wellness apps support users with meditation, mindfulness, and being reflective while winding down before bed.
Margaret Sala, Clinical Psychologist, says these types of apps are “excellent for establishing a meditation habit” and notes that “A lot of [them] have free trials, which makes it easy to try meditation and see what results you get.” According to Sala, research has shown that practicing mindfulness meditation is associated with reduced stress and anxiety, as well as improved sleep, attention, and relationships.
Calm
Calm helped put relaxation and meditation apps on the map, and its popularity hasn’t waned even as other apps have poured into the space. It’s a highly-rated relaxation and mental health app with a variety of features tailored to different personal goals, from reducing stress or anxiety to improving sleep health, enhancing focus, and more. Users choose from different functions including music, guided meditations, and scenery/soundscapes.
“I was going through a tough time and was in search of a free app that could help alleviate my stress, and I have to say, Calm did a great job!,” Austin Fain, CEO of Perfect Steel Solutions, says. “The very fact that it asked me to take a deep breath upon opening and then tailored the suggestions according to my requirements was enough to pacify me! One of the issues I was facing was insomnia, and the musical tracks greatly helped me in sleeping at night.”
Headspace
The Headspace app is the brainchild of Andy Puddicombe, a Buddhist monk who started out teaching meditation to politicians, athletes, and business leaders. Over time, Puddicombe and his business partner Rich Pierson decided to make their offerings available online so more people could access the benefits of meditation. Today, the app offers a variety of guided meditations, animations, articles, and videos to support people in their quest for greater emotional wellness.
Maria Juvakka, founder of Chic Pursuit, says, “Some of the motivating factors are the fun animations, accountability, and consistent guided sessions. There are also shorter 3-minute ‘SOS’ sessions for days that are hectic and you’re strapped for time.”
Matiah Fischer, founder of RetireBetterNow.com also recommends the app. “I started meditating last year and immediately saw benefits. From easing any lingering anxiety to having sudden, massive breakthroughs in my thinking, the use of Headspace and practice of meditation has been a game changer for me.”
Sounds like Headspace is certainly a winner for business owners!
Coloring Apps
Adult coloring books became a huge fad in large part because of the relaxation they offer. Coloring apps work in much the same way — only without the mess of colored pencils or markers. These apps allow you to choose from a variety of images, color palettes, and so on. Popular options include Color Therapy, Colorfly, Pigment, and ColorMe.
Cathy Mills, Director of Strategy for Net Influencer, is a big fan of coloring apps. She usually seeks out mandala drawings, because “the mind is always at peace and time passes very quickly.”
Insight Timer
Insight Timer proudly proclaims itself the “#1 free app for sleep, anxiety, and stress,” and it’s attracted big-name collaborators including Giselle Bündchen, Goldie Hawn, and Russell Brand. The broad-ranging app offers courses and guided meditations geared toward personal growth, stress relief, sleep health, and emotional wellness.
Ben Dickstein, Ph.D. recommends using Insight Timer to improve your self-awareness. This “allows one to make better use of all other coping strategies,” Dickstein says.
H*nest Meditation
This highly-rated meditation app offers very few guided meditations compared to powerhouses like Calm or Insight Timer. But while it may be small, it’s also mighty. Users have nothing but praise for the app, which offers 2-, 5-, 10-, and 15-minute versions of a popular online video created by screenwriter and filmmaker Jason Headley. Dubbed “meditation for the rest of us,” the video uses foul language, humor, and a down-to-earth vibe to help you take yourself less seriously. It is available for $1.99 on both the App Store and Google Play Store.
The app comes highly recommended by Kriss Judd, a Mindful Productivity Coach who lives with a mental illness. “I hate meditation,” Judd says. “But with the right meditation app, I find it not only tolerable, but also helpful to quiet the mind monkeys and find my focus again.”
Simple Habit Meditation App
The Simple Habit app promises to help users “calm anxiety in 5 minutes.” While we can’t guarantee those results, we can vouch for Simple Habit’s popularity.
More than five million people have used the app — which was featured on Shark Tank in 2017 — to improve sleep, boost motivation, reduce stress, and ease anxiety and depression. The app offers guided meditations, sleep sessions, inspirational talks, daily doses of motivation, and more.
Artem Klimkin, Owner of Posturion, says “Mental health has always been ignored by business owners, but it is a big deal due to the stress from running your business. In my case, I try to manage the pressure by using the Simple Habit Meditation app which allows me to have some time to myself and recuperate on tasks ahead of me.”
Clinical Counselor Pareen Sehat also highly recommends the app and uses it 6 out of 7 days of the week! “The app has made meditation so much easier for me. It is specifically designed to fit into our busy lives and squeeze out time for a quick meditation session. Most of the practices offered are only five minutes long, which means I can do them anytime I feel stressed or overworked.”
Products for Improved Sleep & Reduced Anxiety
If you’re not an app person or you’re looking for tools to complement your favorite app, there are tons of options available. We’ve rounded up physical products that help support sleep and reduce anxiety.
Technical Gadgets
These high-tech products can help you tackle sleep issues from several angles.
Sleep Trackers
As the term implies, sleep trackers are devices that gather (or track) information about a user’s sleep. Different products focus on tracking different metrics, such as movements during sleep, when the user falls asleep and wakes up, and the amount of time spent asleep versus awake during the night. Learn more about different sleep trackers and their potential benefits in our complete guide to sleep trackers.
Valentina Dragomir, a psychotherapist, says sleep trackers that wake users up at optimal times are especially helpful. “Tracking sleep is beneficial to overall emotional wellness, because the tracker calculates the best moment to wake you up when you are not in an important phase of sleep… Getting enough of both deep sleep and REM allows your body to restore, heal and refresh your brain and its functions, thus allowing you to feel emotionally better.”
Two of the most popular sleep trackers are Fitbit and Apple Watch. Dragomir is a big advocate of Fitbit. Meanwhile, the Apple Watch comes highly recommended by Avner Brodsky, CEO of Superwatches. “The Apple Watch Series 6 is an excellent product and one of the first of its kind to offer native sleep tracking,” Brodsky says. “The watch includes a built-in ‘sleep’ app that helps users set sleep goals, create bed/wake-up times, and track the quality of their sleep.”
White Noise Machines
In spite of their name, most white noise machines don’t actually produce white noise, which has a fairly harsh sound. Instead, they usually offer a variety of sounds that are meant to have a calming effect on the listener, such as ocean sounds, soothing music, other nature sounds (think wind blowing through trees or rain falling), and so on. You can purchase a dedicated white noise machine or stream white noise via apps. Many smart home devices, such as Alexa or Google, play music or sleep sounds.
Dr. Amy Marschall, Psy.D. says white noise may be especially helpful for people who don’t sleep well in silence. “Some people need absolute silence to get their best sleep, but others benefit from white noise,” Dr. Marschall says.
Allana Wass, Co-Founder of Comfybeddy, is a big proponent of ocean sounds. “With the assistance of Mother Nature and the naturally calming veil of noise, patients with anxiety and mood disorders experience tranquillity,” Wass says. “Ocean therapy is also an internationally recognized form of therapy. For consumers on a budget, it is just a YouTube search away.”
Smart Lights
Smart lights offer a range of functionalities, including a warm glow (which creates a more calming environment) and the option to easily dim the lighting as bedtime approaches, thereby signaling to the body that it’s time to get ready for bed.
Mellanie Ullrich, co-founder of Lashfridays, recommends smart lights for relaxationand sleep. “Lower light causes our minds to release melatonin, a hormone that controls and regulates our sleep patterns. I set my smart lights to turn on in the afternoon, then thirty minutes prior to my bedtime, and then I dim it to a warm daylight hue. This slow dimming of the light helps my body generate much-needed melatonin, allowing me to get a sufficient amount of improved sleep. ”
Psychotherapist Sylvia Kalicinski specifically recommends the Hatch Restore smart sleep clock because “it has programmed mediations and white noise to help me rest at night.” She adds, “My favorite part about the clock is waking up to a gentle sunrise alarm… so much better than the traditional bells or sirens.”
Headband Sleep Headphones
These comfortable headbands are equipped with built-in headphones so you can fall asleep while listening to soothing sounds — without the discomfort of an earbud jammed into your ear or the risk of said earbud falling out when you change positions. These headbands are also highly portable, so you can bring them along when you travel.
David Adler, Founder of The Travel Secret, is a big fan. “It is incredibly effective for both sleep and mental health to use headband sleep headphones,” Adler says. “The Bluetooth feature allows you to connect the headband to your phone and listen to the melodies you want without having to wear headphones that can be very uncomfortable. My playlists include relaxing music, meditation, and podcasts that feature positive affirmations.”
Gabriel Dungan, CEO of ViscoSoft, also enjoys this product, saying “I never recommend putting headphones in while you sleep, as it could damage the ear canal, and just cause general discomfort. Headband sleep headphones allow for optimal comfort, and still make it possible to listen to your favorite tunes while falling asleep.”
BedJet
A Shark Tank alum, the BedJet pairs with your mattress to create a temperature-controlled sleep surface. This can significantly improve sleep quality and duration, since overheating or shivering can cause people to wake up during the night.
The BedJet pairs with any size and type of mattress, and it’s easy to install. Once it is up and running, users can easily control their bed’s temperature with the touch of a remote. Pair this versatile product with one of the best mattresses on Amazon, and you should enjoy a deep, comfortable sleep.
Petra Amara, Founder of Rowing Crazy and a big fan of the BedJet, says, “I’ve brought it out in the summers when it gets particularly too hot, and it’s done absolute wonders to automatically regulate my body temperature and provide the perfect night’s rest when the air conditioner doesn’t quite suffice.”
Home Security Technology
“Amping up your home security measures is a great way to ease anxiety and give you peace-of-mind, especially at night,” Kristen Bolig, Founder of SecurityNerd, says. “Home security technology can do wonders for mental health and sleep. By having certain measures in place to mitigate the risk of possible burglary or theft, you can ease any sort of anxious feelings you have about home safety, which can have major effects on your sleep cycle and overall mental health.”
Bolig recommends investing in basic home security tech such as cameras, door and window sensors, and perhaps a motion sensor light outside. These simple upgrades can beef up your security and help you feel calmer as you drift off to sleep.
“Analog” Products
These low-tech products can also support emotional wellness and sleep health.
Books
From calming coloring books to self-help guides, books can help manage mental health issues and keep your mind constructively occupied. A great starting point is The Ultimate Anxiety Toolkit: 25 Tools to Worry Less, Relax More and Boost Your Self-Esteem by Risa Williams. The book, which boasts a 5-star rating on Amazon, is packed with creative exercises, fun neuroscience facts, and worksheets that provide practical strategies for mastering stressful situations with ease.
Inner Engineering: A Yogi’s Guide to Joy by Sadhguru is another great option, recommended by entrepreneur Rohan Kadam. He says, “This is an amazing motivational book. It helped me tremendously during uncertain times. It has simple practices that anyone can do to stay driven, motivated, and at the moment.”
If you’re looking for something more hands-on, consider an adult coloring book. Much like a coloring app, these books can promote a relaxing “flow state” that helps you enjoy some relief from everyday stressors.
Blackout Curtains
Research consistently finds that sleeping in a dark room makes it easier to fall and stay asleep and obtain restful sleep. If you live in an area with a lot of light pollution (i.e. anywhere with high population density), odds are high that your bedroom isn’t naturally dark. Blackout curtains fix that by blocking out exterior lighting and creating a truly dark sleep space.
“The National Sleep Foundation considers light to be the most important external factor for sleep,” Hannah Brennen, co-founder of Sleepout, says. “Research finds light at night (LAN) exposure is linked with an increased risk of… depression, along with other negative health outcomes.”
CEO Johannes Larsson offers a great perspective about the practicality and ease of using blackout curtains. “What makes blackout curtains so great in comparison to other wellness tools is that they’re a one-time-setup solution. All you have to do is install them in your bedroom, and you won’t have to worry about them again to enjoy their benefits.”
Sleep Eye Mask
If blackout curtains aren’t your style, consider a cheaper solution in the form of a sleep eye mask. Wearing an eye mask to bed helps block out light that might otherwise interfere with sleep.
“Light suppresses melatonin production in our body and can confuse our brain on if we should be sleeping or not,” Nicole (Nikki) Lacherza-Drew, Psy.D, says. As with blackout curtains, a sleep eye mask will limit light exposure and could improve sleep.
SomniFix Mouth Strips
SomniFix strips are non-invasive sleep aids that curb mouth breathing and have been clinically proven to improve sleep quality by promoting nose breathing and reducing snoring. Featured on Shark Tank, SomniFix was created by a physician who formerly snored, on a mission to leverage breathing patterns to improve sleep.
Stephen Light, co-owner at Nolah Mattress, advocates for this product. “While most anti-snoring strips are placed on your nose in an attempt to keep the nasal passage open, these work by keeping your mouth shut so you will breathe through your nose. After using them I can say that they help me get a more refreshing sleep and they do, in fact, prevent snoring which allows my partner to sleep better as well.”
Weighted Blankets
Weighted blankets have become all the rage, and for good reason. Originally created as a therapy tool for children with autism or sensory issues, weighted blankets provide deep touch pressure or deep pressure stimulation. Similar to a warm hug, this type of pressure is thought to be relaxing and calming. Not all of these products are created equal, so we’ve rounded up some of the best weighted blankets.
Skeptical that a heavy blanket could ease anxiety? Neuroscientist Dr. Chelsie Rohrscheib, Ph.D. vouches for the science behind them. “Weighted blankets have been shown to reduce bedtime stress and anxiety levels, which can have a major impact on sleep,” Rohrscheib says. “Scientists think that the full body pressure provided by the blanket helps to suppress the action of the sympathetic nervous system (the part of the nervous system that is responsible for the stress response). Patients who used weighted blankets in clinical studies reported less anxiety while trying to fall asleep, fell asleep faster, and had fewer mid-sleep awakenings.”
William Schroeder, co-founder of Just Mind Counseling, also recommends this product for sleep health. “Weighted blankets are fantastic for recharging your body and mind during sleep. They’re essentially a bio-hack that mimics the way you feel when embraced by someone else. Many people with anxiety and restlessness find lots of success using these blankets.”
The Comfy
Another product with a Shark Tank debut, The Comfy is a wearable blanket that promises to be like “living in a giant hug, all the time.”
True to its name, The Comfy is soft, warm, and cozy, which can promote a relaxed, secure feeling. You might not earn any fashionista points while rocking The Comfy, but you’ll feel so cozy that you probably won’t care.
Magnesium
There’s a reason milk of magnesia has long been an old wives’ treatment for poor sleep. Per the Cleveland Clinic, magnesium supplements could support sound rest because it aids the neurotransmitters that are related to sleep. While researchers are quick to note that magnesium isn’t guaranteed to work as a sleep aid, it does offer additional benefits. Magnesium has been linked to reduced anxiety and inflammation, as well as increased daytime energy and exercise performance.
“What most people don’t know is that magnesium deficiency is one of the main causes of sleep disturbances, affecting the amount and quality of sleep we get at night,” Natalie Jurado, Founder of Rooted In, says. “Magnesium… binds to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors, a neurotransmitter responsible for quieting nerve activity and helping the brain calm down in preparation for sleep.”
Journals
Ample research suggests journaling before bed could make it easier to fall and stay asleep. One 2019 study found that writing down any tasks you need to complete in the next few days could be especially helpful. The more specific the list, the more easily participants fell asleep. Even five minutes of this type of journaling made a positive impact.
It’s also useful to jot down anything that’s causing anxiety so it’s not just swirling around in your mind unchecked. “Journalling allows you to express your thoughts and feelings and this calms your nervous system. A calmer nervous system will have much better sleep,” Leah Davidson, Certified Life Coach, says. “Keeping a journal beside your bed and using is consistently can change your sleep and dramatically improve your mental health.”
Sleep Pod
The Sleep Pod from Hug Sleep is a unique product that’s similar to a thin, stretchy sleeping bag. It has a cocoon-like shape made with four-way stretch polyspan that applies gentle compression to the user’s entire body.
This pressure could ease anxiety and make it easier to drift off to sleep, much like the pressure from a weighted blanket. Thanks to its unique design, the Sleep Pod was highlighted on Shark Tank.
Madeline Hudson, a big fan of the product, says, “Slipping into the Hug made me relax instantly, and I find that I drift off to a deep sleep and feel more refreshed when I wake up. It provides comforting pressure which reminds me of a swaddled baby.”
Final Thoughts on Emotional Wellness and Sleep Health Tools
As you can see, there’s no shortage of tools to improve one’s emotional wellness and sleep health. From high-tech solutions — smart lights, meditation apps, and sleep trackers — to simpler but still effective products — coloring books, blackout curtains, and wearable blankets — a wide variety of products can support mental wellbeing and quality sleep.
Be willing to experiment with different products and stay patient as you discover what does and does not work for you. Before long, you’ll be enjoying better sleep with the help of the right tools for your needs.
Byte's Impression Kit retails for $9.95 when bought through OK! (regularly $95).
Invisible aligners are these amazing, totally clear plastic devices custom made to fit your teeth. They gradually shift your teeth so that they’re straight and your smile looks great. At Byte, we believe in making the inaccessible, accessible. With our exclusive teledentistry platform, it’s easier and more affordable for people to get the smile and confidence they’ve been dreaming about. We’re in this business to help people love themselves.
YnM's Weighted Blanket retails for $39.50.
The original YnM weighted blanket offers a natural way to help calm your body for a restful night of sleep; great calming sensory blanket for adults and children to help decompress and provide comfort.
Sainstone's Mental Health Awareness Bracelets retail for $10.99.
This pack of 3 silicone awareness wristbands features the green awareness ribbon color theme. They come in standard adult unisex size of 8" or 7" around, and are suitable for both him and her. Awareness wristbands are a great way to raise awareness for your cause, raise funds for research, and to demonstrate your support.
BodyRestore's Aromatherapy Shower Steamers retail for $29.97.
Wash away all day's stress & fatigue with our aromatherapy shower melts, which will dissolve in your bathtub and release potent aromatherapy essential oils that will help immerse you in deep relaxation.
BalanceFrom's GoYoga All-Purpose Yoga Mat retails for $18.10.
With double sided non-slip surfaces, BalanceFrom's all-purpose premium exercise yoga mat comes with an excellent slip resistant advantage to prevent injuries. Exceptional resilience allows you to keep your balance during any exercise style. Moisture resistant technology makes the mat easily washed with soap and water. Easy strapping and light weight features are added to this mat for easy transport and storage.
Nick Trenton's Stop Overthinking: 23 Techniques to Relieve Stress, Stop Negative Spirals, Declutter Your Mind, and Focus on the Present retails for $13.99.
This book understands what you’ve been through, the exhausting situation you’ve put yourself into, and how you lose your mind in the trap of anxiety and stress. Acclaimed author Nick Trenton will walk you through the obstacles with detailed and proven techniques to help you rewire your brain, control your thoughts, and change your mental habits.
Aura Love Yourself's Lava Rock Anti-Anxiety Bracelet retails for $23.99.
The modern world with its constant hustle and bustle culture can become overwhelming and stress-filled fast. Our lava rock and howlite jewelry is crafted to help you reconnect to what matters in the middle of it all.
Arcia's Mindfulness Therapy Game retails for $15.99.
The game includes 10 True/False Cards, 14 Mindful Practices Cards, 6 Visualizations Cards, 10 Social Skills Cards & 10 Self Care Cards. Unlike other therapy tools, our main focus was to create an interactive, brain engaging game that helps children, teens and adults feel grounded, find calm, improve focus and relax. We're here to teach and remind you that mindfulness matters!
Arcia's Mindfulness Therapy Game retails for $15.99.
The game includes 10 True/False Cards, 14 Mindful Practices Cards, 6 Visualizations Cards, 10 Social Skills Cards & 10 Self Care Cards. Unlike other therapy tools, our main focus was to create an interactive, brain engaging game that helps children, teens and adults feel grounded, find calm, improve focus and relax. We're here to teach and remind you that mindfulness matters!
Majestic Pure's Dead Sea Mud Mask for Face and Body retails for $9.98.
Majestic Pure’s Dead Sea Mud Mask is a unique formula made with authentic Dead Sea Mud, universally known for its high quality salts and minerals that contribute to radiant, healthy looking skin. Excellent for facial skin care support, deep pore cleansing and for a revitalizing look. Works well on oily and sensitive skin. Makes a fabulous facial mask for reducing the appearances of pores, toning skin and removing impurities.
Woolzies' 100% Pure & Natural Tranquil Essential Oil Set retails for $15.99.
Woolzies Tranquil Essential Oil Collection contains three oil blends that encourage calmness and clarity of body, mind, and soul. These blends can be inhaled, diffused, and applied to the skin. Woolzies Meditate Blend has an earthy grounding aroma that encourages a tranquil mind and supports restful sleep. It contains oils of patchouli, vetiver, sandalwood, clary sage, geranium, clove, and lavender. Woolzies Balance Blend has a sweet floral aroma and helps to center the body and mind. It contains oils of rosewood, myrrh, spruce, chamomile, neroli, orange, and geranium.
In honour of Mental Health Awareness Month, we are taking a look at the different ways in which design can support our wellbeing, presenting some of the best anxiety relief product designs.
COVID-19 has had a huge impact on our wellbeing and it is crucial that we tackle these challenges today.
It’s time we start building a world that prioritizes our mental wellbeing, a world in which designers create products and environments that address the diversity of people, regardless of age, disability or other factors.
Inclusive design has taken on this challenge and is aiming at reducing the boundaries to participation in society.
While there are many different types of mental disorders, they can be identified by a combination of abnormal thoughts, perceptions, emotions, behaviour and relationships with others.
One of the most common and rising disorders today is anxiety.
In a 2020 survey by SingleCare, 62% of respondents reported suffering from anxiety.
Everyone feels anxious from time to time, but anxiety disorders are different, they can affect people in many different ways impacting their ability to properly function in everyday tasks.
Types of anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorders.
A few years back, Paro, the therapeutic robotic baby harp seal, affirmed that products can have a great impact in reducing anxiety.
1. Paro seal
Designed as an alternative to pet-assisted therapy, Paro is a therapeutic tool that helps reduce stress.
It has 32-bit processors, microphones, and several tactile sensors, which allow it to recognize voices, track motions, remember behaviors and wiggle.
Research shows that interaction with Paro can release stress and anxiety in elderly people, and of individuals with dementia.
Anxiety relief: 8 product designs for mental health
2. Fidget pen by Baek (concept)
Managing stress is often reflected through fidgeting, small movements we make with our bodies, such as biting our nails, or shaking our legs.
The Fidget pen is designed to help users release feelings of anxiety through these unconscious behaviors, of opening and closing the lid, turning the wheeling and pressing the button of the pen.
More than just a tool for writing, this product acts as a coping mechanism for stress.
Anxiety relief: 8 product designs for mental health
3. Nike Breathe – An anxiety relief kit for footballers by Varun Anand (concept)
According to the Professional Footballers’ Association, the number of players seeking help for mental health issues is increasing due to the challenges they face from social approval and the pressure of the competition.
Breathe is a product designed to help athletes prevent anxiety, through its fidget buttons and its soft foam material which mimics shiatsu massage.
It also calms the user by delivering positive messages and storing peppermint gums.
Anxiety relief: 8 product designs for mental health
4. Hibiki by Angela Corrado, Davide Macchi, Hiroki Morimoto, Marcella Gadotti, Sofia Motta (concept)
Designed to blend into the home environment, Hibiki is an instrument that helps users cope with anxiety through sound therapy and guided breathing.
It creates a multi-sensorial experience, with the sound and vibrations emitted by blowing into the product, and the tactile distraction of feeling the exterior wood texture.
Anxiety relief: 8 product designs for mental health
5. FocusCalm
FocusCalm helps users control their mindset through a brain-sensing headband and a series of mindfulness exercises.
The device tracks more than 1,200 data points per second from users’ brains to score their stress activity and allow them to train themselves to decrease the score number.
Curious to know more about the future of brain tech? Here are 6 brain-connected tech products.
Anxiety relief: 8 product designs for mental health
6. Reflect by Prime (concept)
Reflect is a portable, interactive smart textile product helping users release stress through Biofeedback, a type of therapy built on the concept of “mind over matter.”
The form, weight, design details, UX and materials of the product are all designed to help users practice relaxation and reduce anxiety.
Anxiety relief: 8 product designs for mental health
7. Lief – Wearable for stress relief
Lief is a wearable device that helps users reduce stress by building awareness of their triggers.
It tracks their heart rate variability, a scientifically proven biomarker of stress, and connects users to a coach that guides them and helps them train their bodies to stay calm during times they need it the most.
Anxiety relief: 8 product designs for mental health
8. The Dose Dial by Dosist
Dosist is helping users manage stress through dose-controlled cannabis therapy.
It is changing the stigma around cannabis consumption through its minimalistic design of the Dost Dial dispenser.
Designed to be “sleek and discreet”, the product is childproof and recyclable.
Interested in knowing more about inclusive designs? Don’t miss Design for Autism: A Sensory Delight.
Eighty-two per cent of people believe robots can support their mental health better than humans, according to a study by Oracle and HR research and advisory firm Workplace Intelligence.
The Covid-19 pandemic has made 2020 one of the most stressful years in living memory, negatively affecting the mental health of many people, both at home and at work.
According to the Oracle/Workplace Intelligence study, involving more than 12,000 employees, managers, HR leaders and C-level executives across 11 countries, the pandemic has increased workplace stress, anxiety and burnout for people all over the world. Intriguingly, the study also revealed that the vast majority of people would prefer robots instead of other humans to help them.
Globally, 70 per cent of respondents said they were more stressed and anxious than ever before at work, although the number was a little lower for the UK specifically at 62 per cent. UK respondents also were a little more cynical regarding using AI to help their mental health at work compared to other regions (60 per cent vs. 75 per cent globally), although 77 per cent of UK respondents said they wanted their employer to provide more technology to support their mental health, with 69 per cent being open to having an AI or robot therapist.
There were also stark generational differences in the UK, with 94 per cent of 22-25-year-olds saying that work stress impacted their home life (vs. 85 per cent globally) and 89 per cent saying the pandemic has affected their mental health (vs. 78 per cent globally). Highlighting a possible connection, the study showed that the younger generations have taken on more overtime: 66 per cent of 22-25s and 59 per cent of 26-37s worked at least five more hours a week than before the pandemic, compared to 48 per cent of 38-54s and 31 per cent of 55-74s.
“Employers’ role in supporting staff’s health and wellbeing has never been more important. Many businesses have stepped up and supported their staff’s mental health and wellbeing throughout the pandemic and technology has played a crucial role – from online social activities to tailored mental health plans to assist employees,” said Eugenia Migliori, principal policy advisor, CBI.
“The months ahead will be challenging and with the winter coming, employers must double down efforts and play a greater role in supporting the mental health of their workforce.”
People across the world are battling increased levels of anxiety and depression at work due to Covid-19, with 78 per cent of people saying it had negatively impacted their mental health. Increases in stress (38 per cent), a lack of work-life balance (35 per cent), burnout (25 per cent), depression from no socialisation (25 per cent), and loneliness (14 per cent) were reported.
These new pressures have been layered on top of everyday workplace stressors, including pressure to meet performance standards (42 per cent), handling routine and tedious tasks (41 per cent), and juggling unmanageable workloads (41 per cent).
These mental-health issues are also being carried over from peoples’ professional lives to their home lives. 85 per cent of people said mental health issues at work had affected their home life, with the most common repercussions being sleep deprivation (40 per cent), poor physical health (35 per cent), reduced happiness at home (33 per cent), suffering family relationships (30 per cent), and isolation from friends (28 per cent).
As boundaries have increasingly blurred between personal and professional worlds with people working remotely, 35 per cent of people are working 40+ more hours each month and 25 per cent of people have been burned out from overwork.
Despite such perceived drawbacks of remote work, 62 per cent of people said they found remote work more appealing now than they had done before the pandemic, saying they now have more time to spend with family (51 per cent), to sleep (31 per cent), and to get work done (30 per cent).
Regarding the role technology can play in this dynamic, respondents said they wanted more support for their mental health. Only 18 per cent of people said they would prefer humans over robots to support their mental health, as they believe robots provide a judgement-free zone (34 per cent), an unbiased outlet to share problems (30 per cent), and quick answers to health-related questions (29 per cent).
Robots also make good listeners, according to the study, with 68 per cent of people preferring to talk to a robot over their manager about stress and anxiety at work, while 80 per cent of people were open to having a robot as a therapist or counsellor.
Seventy-five per cent said AI has helped their mental health at work. The top benefits noted were providing the information needed to do their job more effectively (31 per cent), automating tasks and decreasing workload to prevent burnout (27 per cent), and reducing stress by helping to prioritise tasks (27 per cent).
AI has also helped the majority (51 per cent) of workers shorten their work week and allowed them to take longer vacations (51 per cent). Over half of respondents say AI technology increases employee productivity (63 per cent), improves job satisfaction (54 per cent), and improves overall well-being (52 per cent).
Employees worldwide also indicated that they are looking for their organisations to provide more mental health support and if this help is not provided, it will have a profound impact on global productivity, as well as the personal and professional lives of the global workforce.
Seventy-six per cent of people believe their company should be doing more to protect the mental health of their workforce; 51 per cent noted that their companies had added mental health services or support as a result of Covid-19.
Eighty-three per cent of the global workforce would like their company to provide technology to support their mental health, including self-service access to health resources (36 per cent), on-demand counselling services (35 per cent), proactive health-monitoring tools (35 per cent), access to wellness or meditation apps (35 per cent), and chatbots to answer health-related questions (28 per cent).
Eighty-four per cent of workers have faced challenges while working remotely, with the biggest factors being no distinction between personal and professional lives (41 per cent) and dealing with increased mental health challenges like stress and anxiety (33 per cent). Forty-two per cent of people said workplace stress, anxiety or depression causes their productivity to plummet, and 40 per cent said it leads to an increase in poor decision making. Eighty-five per cent said work-related stress, anxiety and depression affects their home life.
“With new remote-work expectations and blurred lines between personal and professional lives, the toll of Covid-19 on our mental health is significant and it’s something that workers across every industry and country are dealing with,” said Dan Schawbel, managing partner, Workplace Intelligence.
“The pandemic has put mental health front and centre – it’s the biggest workforce issue of our time and will be for the next decade. The results of our study show just how widespread this issue has become and why now is the time for organisations to start talking about it and exploring new solutions.”
Emily He, senior vice president, Oracle Cloud HCM, said: “With the global pandemic, mental health has become not only a broader societal issue, but a top workplace challenge. It has a profound impact on individual performance, team effectiveness and organisational productivity. Now, more than ever, it’s a conversation that needs to be had and employees are looking to employers to step up and provide solutions.
“There is a lot that can be done to support the mental health of the global workforce and there are so many ways that technology like AI can help. First, organisations need to add mental health to their agenda. If we can get these conversations started – both at an HR and an executive level – we can begin to make some change. And the time is now.”
The study, conducted July-August 2020, involved 12,347 global respondents, 22-74 years old, from the US, UK, United Arab Emirates, France, Italy, Germany, India, Japan, China, Brazil and Korea. Those involved were asked general questions to explore leadership and employee attitudes around mental health, artificial intelligence technology, digital assistants, chatbots and robots in the workplace.
Technology is already playing a large part in the treatment of mental health conditions, as Dr Stephen Schueller, executive director of Psyberguide, explained in an E&T interview earlier this year. A number of cutting-edge technologies are being deployed to explore the issues around mental health.
It has also been shown that interaction with robots and regular computer use improves the mental health of older people.
Conversely, overexposure to social media is proving detrimental to the mental health of young people. The Royal College of Psychiatrists published a report earlier this year demanding that social media giants aid research into the potential harms they cause by sharing data and funds with researchers.
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