Caroline Leaf, Ph.D., a neuroscientist, mental health expert, and author of Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess, explains that during times of stress, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by emotions. “Sometimes, in these moments, it can be almost impossible to think clearly or do the emotional work needed to get out of the toxic stress spiral, which is why decompression activities can be so helpful.” Decompressing, Leaf explains, involves giving ourselves permission to step back and take a breather. In doing so, we build space between our triggers and our reactions, which we can use to analyze what it is we’re really feeling. “Once we acknowledge these feelings, we can validate them and give them a space rather than try to suppress or ignore them,” she continues. You don’t need any fancy gadgets to start to decompress: Simply slowing down your breath or moving your body can help get you into a more relaxed state. However, Leaf notes that a number of products can help expedite the process for the loved ones in your life. The key, she says, is looking for a stress-relief tool that allows your giftee to get back in touch with their mind and body. Think a creative outlet like drawing that directs their attention away from stress, or a tactile product that feels great on their skin and helps bring their body back to baseline. “The Anti-Anxiety Notebook” ($38) Field Notes National Park 3-Pack ($12.95) Melpomeni Chatzipanagiotou Circle of Life Coloring Book ($11.93) Prismacolor Premier 12pk Colored Pencils - Under the Sea ($9.99) Anthropologie DIY Screen Printing Kit ($48) We Are Knitters Medea Blanket Knitting Kit ($185) mindbodygreen calm+ ($59/month) Three Spirit Nightcap ($39) Rasa Super Mega Sampler Pack ($45) Wooden Spoon Herbs Adaptogen Balance ($36) Yogi Tea Honey Lavender Stress Relief 4-Pack ($16.56) mindbodygreen postbiotic hand cream ($25) Speks Blots Silicone Stress Balls ($24.95) Wildling Empress Stone ($65) The Lyric Therapeutic Massager ($199.99) The Ritual Rug ($188) Allswell Stonewashed Waffle Bathrobe ($85) Farmacy Honey Potion Renewing Antioxidant Hydration Mask ($56) Herbivore Rose Hibiscus Hydrating Face Mist ($32) Violets are Blue Healing Salve with Eucalyptus and Peppermint ($15) Arch Plush Edit Slippers ($110) The Artistry of Essential Oils Stress Away Collection ($42.50) Vitruvi Move Diffuser ($179) ORA Bath Salts ($38) Spoken Flames Fearless ($34) Palermo Botanical Facial Steam ($32) Amethyst Worry Stone ($7.95) Neurocycle app (Free) Avocado Organic Yoga Meditation Pillow ($63) Rider Waite Classic Design Tarot Cards Deck with Guidebook ($19.97) Things Are Looking Up Optimism on Deck Cards ($40) Emma received her B.A. in Environmental Science & Policy with a specialty in environmental communications from Duke University. In addition to penning over 1,000 mbg articles on topics from the water crisis in California to the rise of urban beekeeping, her work has appeared on Grist, Bloomberg News, Bustle, and Forbes. She’s spoken about the intersection of self-care and sustainability on podcasts and live events alongside environmental thought leaders like Marci Zaroff, Gay Browne, and Summer Rayne Oakes.
