And Now, All the Things You Should Buy to Reduce Holiday Stress



Sometimes retail therapy can relieve stress. Shopping can be therapeutic, right? And when you're shopping for things that can actually make you more calm and relaxed—well, now you're just doing the most in the best way possible. Don't we all need a little bit of that right now, in the midst of the crazy, hectic, and anxiety-ridden holiday season?

To ensure you actually make time to enjoy the holidays and say goodbye to all of those stressors and anxiety, we've compiled a list of self-care and relaxation finds that you can use when things get tough. Trust us, once you take a moment with one of these, you'll feel so much more joyful and less like the Grinch. And the good news? These can be used year-round, too.

Ashwagandha is an adaptogen known to help your body deal with daily stress. This Moon Juice powder blend is formulated to help with focus, mental stamina, and boost your mood. It's recommended to use one-half to two teaspoons a day, and you can add it to smoothies, coffee, teas, tonics, milks, and baked goods.

Who knew the simplest thing could provide so much relief? After pulling, throwing, squeezing this oversized ball, you might forget the thing that was driving you crazy just thinking about.

If the busyness of the holiday season is keeping you up at night, you've got to get in check. A lack of sleep can make stress even worse. This spray is a mix of lavender, vetiver, and chamomile—spray it on your pillow and let the aromatherapy scent help you drift off to dreamland.

Stress can make us feel really tense around the shoulders, which can be uncomfortable and even painful. You might not be able to make it to the spa for a massage, but a heated neck wrap can provide some quick relief.

A bath can make you feel oh so relaxed. Better yet, it's a nice excuse for some alone time, which might be necessary if you're hosting a lot of house guests this time of year. Dr. Teal's Epsom salts soothes aches and soreness.

Take one of these a day with food for some stress relief. Each capsule contains rhodiola, an adaptogenic plant that can help your body cope with stress.

This set is your ultimate night in. It contains the classic Vitruvi diffuser (one of our favorite finds) and Vitruvi's Quiet essential oil blend, which contains geranium, ylang-ylang, clary sage, and amyris.

Foam rolling isn't just for muscle recovery after workouts; it's also helpful when your body is feeling tense. Roll out any kinks in your body and get a nice stretch in; you might feel so much better.

The holidays can wreck havoc on your skin, so combat it with a mask. It's the perfect excuse to do nothing but chill out for 15 minutes. This set comes with Versed's three face masks—Look Alive Hydrating Plumping Mask, Find Clarity Purifying Mask, and Photos, Please Brightening Tightening Mask—so you're covered, whether you're dealing with dull and dry skin or a breakout.

A candle can really change the ambiance of a room, making it cozier. So when you need a quiet moment, just light a candle with a delicious scent, close your eyes, and just let the warm glow and silence make you feel better.

If your self-care or stress-relief ritual is working out, why not try a few restorative yoga poses to shake off any bad vibes? You can even treat yourself to a brand-new mat.

It might not be a Swedish massage, but at least it's something. This pillow massager has two rollers and a heating feature.

I recently got a pair of comfy house slippers, and let tell you, it's such a treat taking off the shoes I've been wearing all day long at work and slipping my feet into the softest shoes. I now get why Mr. Rogers had that whole ritual. It makes me feel instantly calm and safe since I know the day is over and it's time to relax. I highly recommend getting yourself a pair, like these fuzzy red ones from Nordstrom.

Upgrade your nighttime routine and make the ritual so much more relaxing with this set. It comes with a body scrub, a moisturizing body polish, and a body oil, so you'll be feeling oh so good.

If you've been running around all day—shopping for gifts, meal-prepping, or entertaining out-of-town guests—chances are your whole body is aching, especially your feet. At the end of the day, give your feet a much-needed, super-relaxing massage. It's a little luxury you never knew you needed.

Next up: These 25 Gifts Are Stress Relievers