6 Gadgets That Will Help You Fight Stress & Anxiety

In this report, I’ll be taking a quick look at half a dozen or so gadgets that some people have found can help reduce their stress and anxiety.

Aromatherapy Diffuser Lockets

I cover some of the more popular aromatherapy oils that can be used to relieve anxiety in another report, but it’s not always practical to carry them around with you.

And if you use a diffuser at home, to provide the benefits of these essential oils around the house, then you clearly cannot take that wherever you go.

Or can you?

Well, it turns out you can – in the form of a necklace or locket.

The way these work is that you open then up to reveal an absorbent material, often a felt pad, on to which you can place a few drops of your favourite oil, such as lavender.

With it hanging right below your face, you’ll be able to enjoy the aroma for hours, as it gently wafts upward, calming you down as you go about your daily business.

Biofeedback Monitors

Biofeedback is a system whereby sensors attached your skin monitor what’s going on inside your body and provides visual and/or audio feedback.

The principle is that by being aware of your body (e.g. your heart rate, breathing, temperature), you can change your health.

Since anxiety and stress create measurable physical effects, then being aware of those and giving yourself the opportunity to change them is clearly helpful.

So, the big question is, do they actually work?

Well, yes – for many people.

The science is sound and it’s a proven way to relax.

One user reported that, after about a week of using it, they were better able to breath their way out of anxiety flare-ups.

There are almost no risks to these devices, although some people do recommend seeing a therapist who is trained in their use to help you get the most out of them.

Colouring Books

These have become really popular during the past couple of years or so – for adults, not children!

Yes, that may surprise you, but this is not some new-fangled trend – Carl Jung studied their use as far back as the early twentieth century as a tool for relieving stress.

Other benefits, of which there are many, include:

• Activation of both hemispheres of your brain, using both logical and creative functions.
• Reliving your childhood, which for many people was probably the least stressful period in their lives.
• Meditation-like qualities, as you stop worrying about your life and shift your focus to the act of colouring in the various shapes.

You can find actual books, just like you may remember from your childhood, downloadable PDF books you can either print yourself or colour using your computer, or, given we are living in the digital age, apps for your smartphone.

Fidget Rings

I’m sure you recall the recent fad of fidget spinners – it seemed like you couldn’t go anywhere online without seeing ads for them.

There were also a few serious health warnings regarding some models, which has resulted in their virtual disappearance from your screens.

And that’s a shame, because they were originally designed to help people who are anxious and find that having something to do with their hands can help.

Fidget spinners can calm the nerves and provide a focus to help those with ADHD concentrate more easily.

They were certainly not intended as a general toy for anybody to play with though.

However well they worked, they were also somewhat visible and obtrusive, so if you like the idea of this type of gadget but would rather be more discreet about using one, then the fidget ring is perfect for you.

As the name implies, it’s basically a fidget spinner built into a finger ring, which means you can use it without everybody around you knowing.

Because there’s a good chance that if you are anxious and stressed out, the last thing you want is to be the centre of attention – which would probably increase, not decrease, your anxiety.

Sunrise Clock

I don’t think I know anybody who enjoys being abruptly woken by a loud and obnoxious alarm clock – regardless whether you suffer from anxiety or not.

A sunrise clock, also known as a dawn simulator, can be a less jarring way of waking up in the morning, which will make you feel more refreshed as it allows you to come to gradually.

When it’s time to start waking up, these clocks start dim, and gradually increase their brightness over a specified period of time (e.g. 15 minutes, 60 minutes).

The principle is that, controlling exposure to light, can affect your mood, as well as sleeping habits and overall health. There are even though who posit that it can help get rid of jet lag.

And since sleep is a key component to both physical and mental health, the benefits of these gadgets can therefore be twofold.

Weighted Blankets

A weighted blanket, sometimes known as a gravity blanket, is, as the name suggests, a blanket that is heavier than usual.

They are used for a wide range of conditions, including anxiety and stress.

The weight is usually provided by some type of tiny beads – either glass or, more commonly, plastic.

The reason they work is because they provide Deep Pressure Touch Stimulation (DPTS), which is a type of therapy that offers both physical and psychological benefits, one of which is the reduction of stress-inducing cortisol, while increasing your levels of melatonin and serotonin.

The additional weight creates a feeling of safety and security, which many people liken to being hugged.

But it can be more than just a hug – it is also almost like a massage, soothing stiff joints and sore muscles.

And the other big benefit is that a weighted blanket can help you sleep better, which in turn has knock-on effects such as more energy, a better mood, and, less stress.

The recommended weight of one of these blankets tends to from 10% – 15% of your body weight, but if you decide to try one of these, you should ask the company for their best advice, given your own situation.

Bonus Gadget

I almost didn’t include this last entry, because many people perceive them more of a toy or cheap give-away, but you really shouldn’t overlook the benefits of stress balls.

When you hear the words “stress ball”, you’ll probably picture those softish balls you squeeze, but there are actually three main types.

1. Chinese Stress Balls
2. Squeezy Stress Balls
3. Magnetic Stress Balls

Let’s start with the Chinese ones (which are sometimes called Baoding Balls), because they have actually been in use for several centuries now.

The Chinese stress balls are typically hard and can be made from wood, stone, or metal, although the latter are most common as therapeutic devices.

The exterior will often be ornate, while inside the hollow balls you can find a mechanism that causes the balls to make melodious chiming sounds as you roll them around in your hands.

And that’s also how they are different to the stress balls you may have seen – you cannot squeeze these.

By rolling them gently in your hands, you not only develop better coordination and improve blood circulation, but you also experience a relaxing, pleasant sensation.

Just be careful though – you cannot use these without making a noise, so they are better suited to places such as your home.

Next, we come to the squishy stress balls, which often bear a company’s logo since they are common gifts at trade fairs, etc.

It is the act of repeatedly squeezing these balls and then releasing the tension that provides the benefits. (This is a highly localized form of Progressive Muscle Relaxation, which is covered in another report.)

These balls can, of course, also be used to develop hand strength (e.g. after an accident or operation).

One advantage to this type of stress ball that you may not have considered is that you can keep them in your pockets and use them whenever you feel the need – nobody need know because they make no sound.

And lastly, and perhaps the newest addition to the stress ball range, are magnetic stress balls.

They take the form of a lot (maybe as many as 200 or more) small metal balls that are magnetic and cling to each other.

To use them, you can create all sorts of various shapes and patterns, almost like a completely malleable sculpture.

Apart from the aesthetically pleasing designs you can create, it reduces anxiety by giving your hands something to do and your mind something to focus on, other than your current stressor.

Of course, this type of stress ball gadget usually requires space on a desk or table, so it’s not suitable for everybody.

Conclusion

Having had a set of Chinese stress balls, I can attest personally to how relaxing it is to play with them while listening to the gentle sounds they create.

The magnetic stress balls look like fun, and are somewhat reminiscent of earlier today such as Rubik’s Snake, but with more possibilities.

And the more common squeezy stress balls are, perhaps, the most versatile, since they can be quite small, portable, usable in many places (e.g. meetings at work, on public transport), and they don’t make a noise.

Additional Resources

These are suggestions for those who wish to delve deeper into any of the above:

1. Aromatherapy Diffuser Lockets
2. Chinese Stress Balls
3. Colouring Books For Adults
4. Fidget Rings
5. Magnetic Stress Balls
6. Sunrise Alarm Clock
7. Weighted Blankets