22 zen-inducing things our editors swear by to beat stress

Sleep and stress tend to get lumped together for me, which is why I was drawn to the Loftie Lamp. It's a bedside lamp that doubles as a sunrise alarm, and not only does it boast a slim base and attractive lamp shade, but I can use the Wi-Fi-connected app to choose from over 50 colors and brightness levels to gently wake me up. I can also decide what kind of audio alarm I want to wake up to — I usually choose a light, melodic tone. I love that it gradually lulls me out of my sleep rather than quickly alarming me. — Tobey Grumet Segal, reviews editor

I use this gratitude journal as a way to stop stress before it even happens. My friend sent it to me years ago when I was going through a particularly challenging time in my life, and I find myself coming back to it when I’m feeling stressed or down. It forces you to think about the good things in your life and what you're thankful for. By writing down some positive affirmations in the morning and reflecting on your day in the evening, it starts and ends your day with reflection and gratitude. I find the ritual extremely relaxing and grounding, and I notice a reduction in my stress levels when I write in my journal regularly. — Rachel Quigley, managing editor

When in doubt, buy yourself flowers. Whenever I’m stressed, anxious or feeling down, a bright bouquet always cheers me up. There’s something about seeing a colorful bunch of flowers in my apartment that always makes me feel better. And if I know a friend or family member is stressed or worried, sending them a bouquet is bound to lift their spirits. 1-800-Flowers has a beautiful selection of bouquets that can be sent locally, nationwide or even worldwide. — Carolina Gazal, associate testing writer

A warm shower always helps melt my problems away. There’s nothing like feeling squeaky clean and relaxed, then relaxing in a fluffy towel that feels like a hug. Some people love weighted blankets, but I prefer these luxurious towels from Cozy Earth. They’re super soft and always make me feel better. — Carolina Gazal, associate testing writer

I fidget when I'm stressed. I’ve tried a ton of things to help break the habit but nothing did the trick — until I came across Speks’ Crags Magnetic Putty. These smooth magnetic stones are satisfying to mold together and a relaxing way to relieve tension. Plus, it comes in a small tin and is easy to throw in your bag. — Gabriella Triolo, social coordinator

Like many folks, I have a hard time falling asleep when I'm under pressure — and that leads to even more anxiety the next morning. The Buffy Cloud Comforter is super soft and breathable, and somehow has helped me fall asleep almost instantly, no matter my stress level. — Gabriella Triolo, social coordinator

Lighting a candle has always been a calming ritual for me after a long, stressful day, and Lumira has some of the best candles out there. With notes of jasmine, magnolia and gardenia, this candle makes me feel like I just stepped into an enchanted garden every time I light it. — Gabriella Triolo, social coordinator

I’m a big tea drinker, and this honey-lavender sachet from Yogi has been a favorite of mine for years. With chamomile and lavender, it’s great for calming nerves and helping to relax a bit before bed. Swirl a little lavender honey in there, and it’s game over for stress. — Danielle Poiesz, copy editor

I struggle with anxiety, and when my mind starts to go a mile a minute, I find it can help to use distraction techniques. One of my favorites is puzzling. Not only does it work to keep my brain occupied, relieve emotional stress and boost my mood (doing puzzles actually makes your brain release dopamine!) but it helps to improve cognition and mental speed, motor skills, problem-solving and self-confidence. It’s particularly helpful when I’m stressed about something I have zero control over, like when I was going through IVF. A couple of those puzzles are now framed and hanging in my daughter’s room. So, also, great decor! Double win! — Danielle Poiesz, copy editor

As a high-energy individual, stress relief usually includes an activity that allows my brain to take a back seat — and lets my body take over. One of my favorite things to do is a quick, 45-minute hike, which takes my mind off a stressful situation. I like to don a pair of lightweight, yet supportive shoes and the Hoka Rincon 4 is my got-to choice. These everyday running shoes offer cloud-like cushioning and great traction. Best of all, they’re so lightweight, I feel like I’m not wearing shoes at all. — Michelle Rae Uy, testing writer

I have never been able to meditate, and believe me, I have tried. I’ve been to yoga retreats in Japan, India and Thailand, guided meditation classes in person and through apps, I’ve read books, listened to podcasts... you get the idea. But I can never quiet my thoughts for long enough to get into a truly meditative state. That all changed when I tried the Muse 2, a meditation tool that uses advanced EEG technology to help you focus. The headband’s sensors measure your heart rate, breath, brain activity and body movement and lets you know when your mind wanders off or you are no longer in a calm state. It’s like having your own meditation coach. The app has more than 500 guided meditations and you can track your progress over time. — Rachel Quigley, managing editor

I’m chronically online (tell me you work in social media without telling me), so I frequently turn to my HigherDose infrared sauna blanket to relax my mind. It’s mood boosting, but also promotes muscle recovery and gets my skin glowing. It’s a splurge, but worth every penny. — Stephanie Griffin, Director of Social

When I sip this water, I immediately feel at ease. And though it’s probably because it reminds me of something I’d drink at the spa, cucumber and mint are also known to help alleviate anxiety. — Stephanie Griffin, Director of Social

Few things clear my head after a long day like shooting some hoops, and this Wilson ball is always in my bag any time I head to the court. It was an easy choice for two reasons: It's affordable, and as an arcade sports game fanatic, I'll buy just about anything with the NBA Jam logo on it. It's also proven to be a legitimately good outdoor ball that's held up through months of shootarounds, horse games and intense one-on-ones that remind me how poor my stamina is — but also how great this sport makes me feel. — Mike Andronico, senior tech editor

The Meta Quest 3 isn't just my favorite way to exercise — it also provides a vital escape from the real world when I need it most. Getting fully engrossed in the virtual vistas of Supernatural or the cyberpunk shootouts of Pistol Whip helps reset my brain in a way that few activities can, whether I'm sneaking in a VR workout during my lunch break or decompressing after work. And while I typically use my headset to stay active, there is no shortage of meditation apps on it (Including Tripp and Maloka) for when you just want to chill out. — Mike Andronico, senior tech editor

There's rarely a moment in the day when I don't have my AirPods Pro 2 in, and that's doubly true whenever I need to decompress. These buds' excellent sound quality and noise cancellation help quiet my brain, whether I'm using the Calm app to soothe me to sleep or just blasting some loud emo to unwind from a long day (and drown out the chaos of the New York City subway). — Mike Andronico, senior tech editor

This was the year I decided to enter my calm era, and I’ve been obsessed with this Homedics Sandscape. It's so relaxing to watch, and it’s kept me from doom-scrolling. I love setting it up at the end of the day while reading or journaling. You can create hundreds of designs, and it’s easy to set up and use with the app. — Lindsey Smith, associate editor

I’m a firm believer that simply lighting a candle can help anyone de-stress. The New Savant is my favorite brand (they’re handmade in Brooklyn), and every scent tells a story. When I want to calm down and transport myself somewhere else, I light the Library in a Forest Candle and visualize reading my favorite book in the middle of the woods. — Lindsey Smith, associate editor

I’ve been biting my nails due to stress, anxiety and ADHD my entire life, so when a friend told me about this inexpensive fidget cube, I wanted to give it a shot to see if it could help me redistribute my nervous energy elsewhere. I love that it has six different sides, each with a different “distraction,” and that it’s small enough to carry in my pocket. I’d recommend it to children and adults alike. — Daniel Toy, section editor, copy chief

Hugz makes weighted stuffed animals that can be heated or chilled to provide soothing comfort. Once I saw a picture of Quackers the Duck, I was immediately sold. When I'm feeling stressed or want to wind down, this stuffed animal helps me relax and always puts a smile on my face. — Gareen Puglia, associate testing writer

Though I tend to do mostly weights and cardio for my workouts, I love to get in at least one yoga class a week for my head as well as my body — and the Alo Moves app is a great place to find all kinds of yoga and related practices. Yes, I can choose from lots of varieties, from Hatha to Vinyasa, but there are also other fun classes like Pilates and Barre. My favorite is actually the toning class, which meshes ballet, dance and yoga into an interesting mix. And, right now, Alo is offering a lifetime of service for just $99. Can you beat that? I don't think so. — Tobey Grumet Segal, reviews editor

There are a lot of meditation apps out there, but I'm convinced Insight Timer is the best. Without paying a cent, the app provides access to a library of more than 100,000 guided meditations (I recommend Tara Brach). You can also meditate on your own with its built-in meditation timer. — Maxwell Shukuya, associate writer