Time to Address Stress in Excess

This month is National Stress Awareness Month, a time for healthcare professionals and the public alike to learn more about the causes and cures for the epidemic of too much stress.

Whether it comes from our jobs, our families, or self-imposed expectations, excessive stress is a condition that can lead to a myriad of health problems, including high blood pressure, insomnia, obesity, and digestive issues.

One way to deal with stress is to allow yourself to indulge in the unique gift of calm relaxation. Easier said than done, right? We have some ideas to help you relax and find stress relief in your day.

For the ultimate state of relaxation, this Tranquility Pod uses pleasant sound, gentle vibration, and soothing light to transport the body, mind and spirit. The pod’s biofeedback system—an exclusive feature available only from Hammacher Schlemmer—uses a pulse sensor that synchronizes your heartrate with 50 LEDs to create mind-calming mood lighting. The pod’s four-speaker sound system plays music from your smartphone or iPod to impart restful harmony.

Massage is a great way to reduce stress levels. This superior handheld massager delivers up to 3,000 pulses a minute—about 50% more than similar devices—to deeply penetrate muscles and loosen tension-induced knots. An infrared heating element penetrates deep into skin to boost circulation, while the massager’s head uses the Swedish techniques of vibration and tapotement to knead out tension, ease stiffness and invigorate the body.

Sometimes, stress is best relieved by just getting it out of your system, so to speak. Put this petite punching bag on your desk for impromptu and immediate relief. The bag attaches securely with a rubber suction cup to any wood or metal flat surface. Withstanding hooks and jabs with aplomb, the leather ball rebounds reliably with a heavy-duty spring. And because humor is an effective stress release, this makes the ideal unique gift for that certain family member who loves to pick fights.

Along with any of these unique gifts for stress relief, experts also recommend 15 minutes of mind-clearing meditation, regular aerobic exercise, and indulging in stress-relieving foods such as dark chocolate and green tea. If all else fails, try to sleep on it—like Grandmother always use to say, it will all be clear in the morning.

The post Time to Address Stress in Excess appeared first on Hammacher Schlemmer Blog.

Read full here