7 great products that lower your anxiety in 2022.
Weighted (anxiety) Blanket
If you’re looking for something to relieve your anxiety while at home, this is it! And if you have not heard of these yet, you’re in for a treat. They’re great! The correct term for them is Weighted Blankets but you’ll probably hear people call them "Anxiety Blankets”. Mainly because people feel relief from their anxiety when they have one on them. It’s not a complicated product its just… a heavy blanket. But the weight of the blanket provides a soothing, anxiety-relieving feeling. Similar to swaddling a baby.
While the blankets may state you can sleep with them… you probably shouldn’t. They can be quite heavy depending on the weight you get. And you don’t want anything to lay too heavy on your chest while you sleep.
Candles
Candles are fantastic for helping soothe and focus your mind. Especially if you’re able to find a smell that you enjoy and helps calm you. There are no mystical properties to candles that will instantly cure your depression or anxiety. But they are great at helping you focus your mind if you take an active approach to focus on the smell. By doing this, you can blow away all of the racing thoughts, anxious thoughts, or negative thoughts you may be experiencing. (I am a big fan of fall scents).
Don’t fall asleep with a candle on. That’s dangerous.
Diffusers & Scented Mists
Similar to the above, scented mists can be great at helping calm your mind. Such as essential oils. They’re again, not a mystical or medical property but… they are proven to be very effective in helping calm you. Pleasant scents are great. Lavender. Apple cinnamon. Pumpkin pie. Nature breeze. Etc. Find one that you like. And have fun! The benefit of some of these is that they can be put on a timer to give a nice spritz to your room or office.
You can fall asleep with these and not worry.
Meditation Fountain
If you have ever had the luxury of going to a spa, you probably have seen these. They are great at providing a nice, consistent, calming noise. They’re great devices that can help focus your mind. The consistent sounds of it can be thought of as similar to a white noise machine where you become habituated to it after a while. That’s a good thing. It’s not distracting enough that you need to actively focus on it or accidentally focus on it. Combine it with meditation, mindfulness, or other calming activities and you’ll find your own personal nirvana soon enough.
Fidget Toy
If you interacted with anyone around 2015-2017, you probably have seen these. They were everywhere. And for good reason. They’re a weird quirky tool that can help you focus your mind by… actively giving your hands something to do. Similar to how office workers will consistently click a pen. It can help rid you of excess energy that would otherwise distract you. It can provide a consistent rhythm that will not need active focusing.
Try not to annoy anyone around you if it clicks.
Bird House
Of course, this works better if you’re not living in the city. A birdhouse is a wonderful distraction when you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, depressed, and more. It gives you a thing to actively focus on. It can be great to combine with the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique as well (Read about it here). Tools that give you a way to actively focus (as opposed to passive focus, such as the meditation fountain up above) are great when you need to ground yourself. It will help you only focus on what is in front of you.
Sneakers
It’s good, no… great! To get physical exercise. Get outdoors. Fresh air. Sunlight. Those things are proven to do wonders for your mental health. You don’t need sneakers but you just need to get outside. Whatever works to get you outside, do it. Especially in the morning when you wake up. Skip going on the phone and get some sunlight into your face.
(alternate) Exercise Equipment
(If able) Similar to above, you want some exercise in your life. Once again, proven to help your mental health. Whether it is symptoms of trauma, anxiety, or depression. Physical exercise is helpful. 5, 10, 30, 1 hr… whatever you are capable of doing can be helpful. Whatever can help you get your heart rate above resting, to safe levels.
Don’t see something that you use on this list? Comment below! We would love to learn about it.
