I tested 6 of the ‘best’ relaxation gadgets and 2 ‘stand outs’ are sure to de-stress you in no time
THE relentless cycle of jobs, bills, busy family and social lives will undoubtedly lead to stress for many of us.
Research by Mintel has shown that a whopping 85 per cent of us in the UK suffer from stress or anxiety at least some of the time.
And three in five say the cost-of-living crisis is negatively impacting mental health.
Dr Louise Goddard-Crawley, psychologist, says stress can cause an array of symptoms, including mood swings, anxiety, irritability, nervousness, fatigue and more.
“In modern life, stress and anxiety have become common companions for many of us,” she says.
“From the relentless demands of work and personal life to global uncertainties, the effects of stress can manifest in various ways.
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“Managing stress is crucial for overall wellbeing because uncontrolled stress can have negative effects on both mental and physical health.
“Chronic stress has been linked to a variety of health problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure, depression, anxiety disorders, and weakened immune function.
“Ultimately, any effort to reduce stress is beneficial and finding what works best for you is key.”
It's important to look after yourself both inside and out - and there are some simple ways to do this.
From scented diffusers to face masks, I tested some of the best relaxation gadgets and accessories to help you get a little R&R in the comfort of your own home.
1. Coco and Eve Pro Youth Scalp Massager
Cost: £9,
A lovely addition for anyone's shower routine.
Simply apply shampoo to wet hair as usual, then gently massage and lather the brush on your scalp.
It's meant to detoxify your scalp, remove product buildup, and promote healthy hair growth—but I found it very calming too.
It does a great job of getting the shampoo rubbed in and gives you a lovely head massage at the same time.
These supplements contain lemon balm, which is said to help with feelings of relaxation and wellbeing and stop you feeling tense.
They also contain pantothenic acid, which can boost mental performance, as well as royal jelly, passion flower extract, rhodiola, magnesium, lion's mane mushroom and l-theanine.
On the Holland and Barrett website, they have 4.2 stars, with many users saying they help them feel calm, reduce stress, or drift off to sleep.
I wasn't convinced they did much for me.
I did take some on a particularly stressful day at work, and I did feel calmer afterwards, almost sleepy.
But I wondered whether this was just a placebo effect. It's hard to know.
Not only can you squeeze the balls to help you relieve tension, they are also scented with Lemon, Eucalyptus and Lavender Essential Oils to help promote feelings of calm.
I liked squeezing them, but I’m not a huge advocate of reading affirmations, so I'm not sure how much this would benefit me.
Something such as ‘believe in yourself’ is written on each side of each one.
I also found the scent a bit overpowering.
Regular use has been proven to build wrist muscle and improve hand dexterity, so they may be helpful for those who suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome or arthritis.
Score: 2/5
4. Lola Portable Massage Gun
£60,