We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
1. A multitasking shampoo scalp massager to massage your tense scalp muscles, stimulate blood flow to your hair follicles, and make sure your shampoo gets allll the way to your roots to clarify and remove hard-to-reach buildup. Not only will it give you a delicious *taste* of salon massaging (yes please), but it'll help keep your hair healthy — reviewers say it helps with dandruff, psoriasis, and scalp tenderness.
Emma: I use one of these and WOWZA, it really helps you get extra mileage out of your shampoo. I have a whole lot of hair on my head so sometimes it's a struggle to feel like I've soaped up my whole scalp thoroughly, but this was a very effective way to spread out the suds and really get them to the roots. I was worried it might tangle in my hair, but it was totally fine on that front, too. I've noticed that my hair has been a little less greasy at the roots since I started using it. And I'm echoing a ton of reviewers here when I say it just feels reeeeeally, really nice.
Promising reviews: "One of the best purchases we made last year. Such a small, simple item that supplies so much utility & pleasure. We store more stress in our heads than we realize & this provides a wonderful in-shower massage, plus our scalps & hair are tangibly healthier. Thumbs up." —Bryan Dunn
"I'm seriously mind blown at this product. I never really dealt with a dry scalp until the past year or two, which started due to stress. I bought this on a whim, and after one use, all my dryness/flakes were gone. I seriously couldn't believe it! It is actually very sturdy, so I have easily been able to get through my thick hair to scrub my scalp, and that's saying something because I have a TON of thick hair. If you have dry scalp issues, TRY THIS!!! And even if you don't, I'd still recommend it because it helps you clean your scalp a million times better than just using your hands." —Kayla Goodman
Get it from Amazon for $7.98+ (available in three colors).
2. A pastel paint-by-number so you can create an intricate, beautiful piece of artwork that'll keep your hands busy as you binge watch The White Lotus and let the stress of the day melt away.
Each set comes with a detailed numbered outline, three brushes, and a set of numbered acrylic paints with extra to spare.
Promising review: "I’ve been doing a lot of paint by number paintings lately as a way to decompress from stress, and this one is by far my favorite one. It just looks so cool, and it was not as hard to do as some of the others I’ve done." —K Rivera
Get it from Amazon for $15.99.
3. A eucalyptus lavender pouch for your shower, bath, or bathroom sink so you can enjoy some relaxing ~aromatherapy~ and have a little spa of your own to destress in.
4. A precious tiny plush stuffed hedgehog that'll be *personally accountable* for making sure you take enough breaks to destress. ❤️ You can keep it at your desk, vanity, car, or wherever you need some extra loving company.
You can also carry it around in your tote à la the tiny-dog-in-purse fad of the early '00s (always my vote)!
Promising reviews: "He’s so freaking cute! I put him on my work desk as a toy for stress relief and he just makes me happy to look at, plus he’s super soft and inconspicuous when I cuddle him because he’s small and palm sized. It relaxes me to press my nose against his and rub my fingers through his fur. Definitely thrilled with him!" —EmAmelia
"It feels very soft and comforting. It soothes your heart...A great little thing to release stress." —movie345
Get it from Amazon for $11.95.
5. A bath overflow drain cover to give you the luxe, full-to-the-brim soak that your weary bones crave without losing all the glorious hot water back down the drain (that's what that gurgling sound is!!).
Promising review: "I have a high-stress job, and I've started taking baths as a way to unwind. However, it never seemed like I could keep enough water in the tub to really enjoy it. This little thing makes a HUGE difference!! I get at least an extra 3 inches of water and it is great." —Hyacinthe Snyder
Get it from Amazon for $7.99 (available in nine colors).
6. And a bath pillow for fully transforming your bathing experience into one worthy of a spa. This thing is ~extra thick,~ bendable, and sports strong suction so it'll fit and stay put in any tub.
Promising review: "My husband and I like to take regular baths for our muscle aches. And it is just nice after a long stressful day or week to get into the tub. For someone like myself, who is short, my head and legs are not long enough to both lean my head back in the bath tub and also hold myself up from slipping down toward the drain. In other words, my legs are too short to reach the other side of the bathtub, so I cannot lean my head back in our awesome tub to relax. What is the point of taking a bath then? This is what I thought until we bought this awesome bath pillow. It is very comfortable and is not like those old cheap inflatable bath pillows from certain bath stores. This is a permanent fixture in our bathtub and we love it. Ever since we have had this, taking baths has been truly relaxing. I highly recommend this comfortable bath pillow to anyone who wants to improve the quality of their bath time." —Michelle Lynn
Get it from Amazon for $10.50+ (available in two shapes).
7. Plus, a pack of Dr. Teal's Soothe & Sleep bubble bath to help you relax your body and decompress from stress with soothing lavender and revitalizing epsom salts.
Promising review: "I have been a user of Dr. Teal's Foaming Bath for many years. It is a welcomed retreat after a stressful day. As I sink into the silky water with its ample bubbles, and soothing fragrance, my muscles relax and I am confident that a good night's sleep is only moments away. I highly recommend this product." —Deborah from Alexandria
Get a pack of four from Amazon for $23.56.
8. A pair of wireless sleep headphones that you can use for playing white noise or music to fall asleep, listening to your fave podcast while traveling or exercising, and ~so much more~.
Promising reviews: "This headband is AMAZING. I have a lot of sleep problems due to stress and anxiety. I used it for the first time last night and I fell asleep right away and didn't wake up all night. It's VERY comfortable. I can't remember make a purchase with a better value. Thank you!!" —Christopher & Veronica Ridgeway
"I struggle with not being able to sleep because of stress. Over the years, I found that falling asleep while listening to podcasts helped me relax. The problem was that I couldn't play them out loud because it would keep my husband up. I tried earbuds, but they were uncomfortable to lie on. That is when I found this product. I use it every single night! Once you are used to having them, it is truly a tragedy to try to go to sleep without these." —Stacia N. Lingo
Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in 16 colors).
9. Or a set of wireless Bluetooth earbuds (boasting over 220,000 5-star ratings!) that'll help you escape from a stressful day into an audiobook, podcast, or your favorite music. Since they're wireless, they also won’t get tangled up with your mask! Trust, these are about to be a huge life upgrade. Plus, a good AirPods dupe is ALWAYS worth celebrating.
10. A pack of 24-karat gold cooling eye gels with hydrating superstar hyaluronic acid, plumping collagen, and brightening seaweed for anyone who needs to fake some extra hours of sleep or just needs a little pick-me-up.
Promising review: "First off OMG. I get stressed from all the stay-at-home mom fun I get to have and under my eyes get sore. I put these on and I did not want to take them off. They were cooling and felt soooo relaxing. Would definitely purchase again just for that. After I finally talked myself into taking them off I realized they were no joke though. Under my eyes look hella better. I wish I would have taken before pics but 😂 I didn't want to show those 'mombie' eyes off. I'm ready to do it again." —AnaVictoria
Get a pack of 20 pairs from Amazon for $15.47.
11. A brain tension salve blended with peppermint, lavender, eucalyptus, and other calming essential oils and herbs to help you release tension and soothe stress and headaches when you rub it on your temples, wrist, or neck.
Promising review: "I get stress headaches at work and as soon as I feel it coming on, I rub some salve on my temples and wrists and it is gone within like 15 minutes. I hate constantly taking ibuprofen for it to only make it a little better. My sister also uses the sleep salve and says she hasn't slept that good in years and does not wake up groggy. She has anxiety and sometimes has trouble sleeping but this stuff is amazing!" —Krysten Allen
Woodland Herbal is a family-owned, Ohio-based Etsy shop established in 2018 that specializes in skincare, salves, and tea blends.
Get it from Woodland Herbal on Etsy for $18.25.
12. A coffee animals coloring book that combines so many fun things: coffee (and more coffee), ~relaxing,~ and cute, happy animals. *Plus* every other page includes a recipe for different caffeinated treats, like iced mocha and Vietnamese coffee. Just because I wanna destress doesn't mean I'll ever give up loving coffee!
Promising reviews: "I loveeeee this coloring book. I do not find the adult coloring books that have a ton of tiny shapes and lines to be relaxing, just overwhelming. However, this coloring book is not like that. It’s simple, cute and stress relieving! :)" —Macy
"I love the coloring, very stress relieving. And thanks to the recipes, I just made myself the best frappe ever!" —Emily Gibson
Get it from Amazon for $7.99.
13. A set of Monkey Noodles, a quiet fidget sensory toy for adults and kids alike that you can pull, stretch, wrap, *and* squeeze. It'll help you work out some of your anxiety and stay focused in Zoom meetings when your mind starts to wander. As a resident ~stressed person~, these have been on my wishlist for a while!
Promising reviews: "Helps ADHD adults big time. I ordered these because I have ADHD and am currently working at my first full-time office job. Meetings can be tough for me focus-wise and I need something to fidget with. These have been fantastic!! I can stretch them, tie them into knots and work to undo them, and twist or twirl them. I gave my boss one as well and he seems to love it. When I get really stressed, I stretch them as tight as I can, and I haven't snapped one yet. Definitely recommend!!" —jeca848
"These are a fantastic tool to use for stress reduction. In this virtual learning climate, these come in handy on an almost daily basis for me and my nine-year-old daughter. We take “monkey noodle breaks” when we’re feeling stressed about technical issues, workloads, etc, and stretch and squeeze out our frustrations. They’re super stretchy, extremely durable, and the colors are a total bonus!" —Michea Johnson
Get a set of five from Amazon for $9.99.
14. A downright awesome Hatch Restore sound machine that works overtime as a sunrise alarm clock, a touch-controlled smart light, a reading light, *and* a wind down light to support optimal rest and a healthier sleep routine.
15. A jar of The Pink Stuff, a bestselling part-cleaner, part-magic potion that can clean pretty much anything you put it to the test on — including stains, grease, and grime on cement, tile, laminate, glass, and wood. Now, you can wipe away any household mess, no stress.
16. A nighttime aromatherapy blend made with calming chamomile, sage, and lavender essential oils to help soothe your senses, reduce stress, and support healthy sleep.
Promising review: "I'm very particular with my essential oils, especially blends, but after reading positive reviews on Dream, I thought I'd try it and for $10 for this large bottle compared to my other smaller, more expensive essential oils, I was willing to take the risk. It arrived quickly and I opened it immediately to find a very pleasant, delicate scent so I added to my living room diffuser after a stressful day, and it simply made me happy. I can't wait to try their other blends now!" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $12.95.
Psst — if you don't have a diffuser, you can get a popular, well-reviewed essential-oil diffuser on Amazon for $15.99.
17. A heated eye massager to elevate your chill session to new relaxation heights. This gadget helps soothe stress, migraines, eye strain, and even insomnia. I sing the praises of this constantly, so I'm here to spread the word like a heated massage Pied Piper.
It sports five different massage settings, a 15-minute timer, and Bluetooth capabilities.
Haley: I bought this a year ago to help with dry eyes and migraines, and it is one of my favorite purchases maybe of all time. It has helped me with my eyes and my headaches, but also with so much more — it helps me relax when I'm stressed or anxious, and puts me to sleep like a baby. I make sure I have this with me if I'm sleeping away from my apartment because I love it so much. It's also easy to clean with an alcohol wipe, or even with face wash. I was hesitant to buy this because it seemed a little pricey, but I'm SO happy I ended up buying it, and at this point, I think it's worth twice as much, or more, than I paid for it. I can't recommend it enough!
Promising review: "LOVE THIS! Ok so I bought this to help with my migraines (it totally helps me) but I use it for so much more. Feeling stressed? Check! Anxiety? Check! I have a son who has some behavioral issues. The first day I got this he wanted to try because I looked cool. Well he put it on and completely went calm. He told me he felt so relaxed. And he said when he was having a hard time calming down that this would be perfect for him to help him calm down. And it has! I would pay ANY amount of money to have him feel calm." —Price
Get it from Amazon for $53.19+ (available in three colors).
18. A set of comfy wax ear plugs that create a seal over your outer ear like putty, so they'll safely muffle your partner's snoring (or block out the sound of your roommate watching TV at 1 a.m. on a weeknight) without you needing to stick the plug way inside your ear canal like other brands do — which can cause headaches (🙋♀️) or, worse, damage your inner ear.
Emma: TBH, I swear by these so aggressively that I have them on a subscription. They're like ear glue. My apartment is on a busy street and my upstairs neighbor is a noisy human being (does this count as a subtweet??) and once I pop these babies in I can barely hear a thing. Plus, my ears never get sore with these in like they do with headphones or other earplugs. You can check out my full Mack's earplugs review for more deets!
Promising review: "Don't know what I would do without these! I have become a bit of a light sleeper from stress so with my husband's snoring and my son waking up to use the bathroom during the night, I needed some rest! I also never travel without!" —Anonymous
Get a pack of six pairs from Amazon Fresh for $4.79.
19. A mattress topper infused with ~cooling gel~ for hot sleepers and made with plush, soft memory foam that'll reduce pressure on your joints by helping align your spine and evenly distribute your weight. 😍 No need to tell me twice!!
Promising review: "I absolutely love this mattress topper. Bought it because I was suffering from pressure point pains from my old mattress. This topper was a life saver. It’s very thick and that makes difficult to move around on the bed, but that thick memory foam cradles the body which is what makes it wonderful. The quality of my sleep has improved tremendously. I have a high stress job and needed sleep music to help me get to sleep and to stay asleep at night, but since getting this mattress topper I have had no difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep all night. My children no longer want to sleep in their own beds. I now have to purchase toppers for their beds, so that they will get out of my bed." —SEJR
Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in 2- or 3-inch depth and in nine standard bed sizes).
20. A set of satin pillowcases that'll reduce friction on your hair and skin as you sleep, helping prevent split ends, tangles, and irritated skin! They also *drum roll* keep your pillow cool if you sleep hot, which will help you sleep more comfortably. If you haven't taken the plunge on one of these yet, consider this a sign.
Promising review: "Love these pillowcases. Very soft and cool to the touch (which I love). I bought them because I've read several things stating that satin/silk pillow cases are better for your skin at night and avoiding breakouts (as opposed to cotton/linen). Seems to be helping with my stress breakouts and plus they are just really nice to sleep on. I would love to find sheets to match as well. Plus my cat loves them too LOL." —kelly
Get a set of two from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in 22 colors and four sizes).
21. A roll-on migraine stick made with peppermint, spearmint, and lavender oils that'll ~melt through stress~ to help calm pain and inflammation and stop migraines in their godforsaken tracks. For me, this is a need.
To use, apply to your temples, forehead, and the back of your neck when you feel pain coming on.
Promising review: "I LOVE THIS STUFF. I’m on my second bottle. I get headaches often, always have, and this has been a great alternative to ibuprofen all the time. I use it for stress headaches (I grind my teeth at night and just generally carry a lot of tension) and this helps most with that. Also sinus headaches. I have insomnia too and get headaches from lack of sleep and this helps soothe the headache and helps me relax so I can fall asleep. I wouldn’t say it fixes all headaches (and not migraines) but it helps a lot, smells great, and is super handy. Strongly recommend!' —Elena Peeples
Read BuzzFeed's Migrastil Migraine Stick review for more deets!
Get it from Amazon for $12.99.
22. A plush faux fur weighted blanket to soothe you while keeping you snuggly and warm. It's made with tempered glass beads to provide the kind of deep pressure that can help reduce anxiety and difficulty sleeping.
23. A set of Sea Bands that are clinically proven (!) to help reduce nausea related to motion sickness, morning sickness, migraines, chemotherapy, or cramps. These all-natural bbs target an acupressure point on your wrists, so they start working ASAP!
To use, put them on *both* wrists.
Promising review: "I get nausea once in a while from stress and GI issues. These bands are completely working!!! I wear them throughout the day!" —Beth
Get a set of two from Amazon for $8.53 (also available in children's sizes).
24. A cult-favorite ice roller to massage and calm skin, help relieve stress and fatigue, and soothe oncoming headaches. We're *obsessed*.
The ice roller comes with a detachable head and handle. Store the ice roller head in the freezer separate from the handle, which should stay room temperature. When you're ready to use the roller, remove the head from the freezer and reattach to the handle (it easily clicks in place)!
See it on TikTok here.
Haley: I love this ice roller for whenever I feel like my skin needs a pick-me-up! I also use it when I feel a headache coming (I get headaches often, especially when I've been stressed), and it reduces the intensity and usually curbs it altogether.
Promising reviews: "Just pressing this roller on the back of my neck provides almost instant relief from migraine and stress headaches! I and my mum each have two rollers in our freezers to swap out so there's always one ready when a migraine triggers. My mum keeps a third one in a little freezer upstairs for at night. They're also fantastic on hot days to roll over face, eyes, cheeks, and neck area to cool down for heat relief — and prevent headache triggers. God bless whoever created these!" —DebA
"I have been drooling over one of these for a while now, so I finally decided I needed to just buy it! I am so very glad that I did! It is cold but very relaxing, and since you keep it moving, it does not get the chance to get too cold like an ice pack would. I love that I can remove the roller and keep it in the freezer, and it is ready whenever I need it. I have fibromyalgia but also train in martial arts regularly so I never know when I might need to use this. It works well for sore muscles, a strained neck or just to melt the day's stress away." —martialartist
Get it from Amazon for $16.14+ (available in nine colors).
25. A caffeine-free herbal Sweet Dreams tea made with a calming blend of chamomile rose blossoms and mint herbs to promote better sleep. Catch me sipping on this and plunging into a gloriously deep rest.
Promising review: "I drink this tea daily! It is a mellow tea that relaxes you when you become stressed. I have GERD and it helps to soothe my stomach and helps me to sleep better! Great tea, I love it! This will always be on my reorder list!" —Karen M.
Get six boxes with 20 teabags each from Amazon for $18.16.
26. A mini illuminated relaxation waterfall that'll bring soothing nature vibes to your work desk or bedside table to quell anxiety and stress, and make your space feel like home.
It's also perfect for a nursery!
Promising reviews: "I purchased this because water (thunderstorms, running rivers, waterfalls) always relaxes me. I have PTSD and anxiety, so having things around me to reduce stress is a necessity. It’s a very relaxing addition to my bedroom. It just helps add that extra vibe of relaxation to the room. Worth the money." —Morgan Brenner
"I love this fountain! Working from home has been fairly stressful so I wanted to create myself a little relaxation space for when things get too hectic. This is perfect! The light has a really nice yellow glow, and isn't overly bright. The water noise is absolutely controllable depending on where you place the stones." —A. Lennartz
Get it from Amazon for $29.99.
27. A jar of stress-relief therapy dough, because whoever said Play-Doh is *just* for kids was wrong! With this uber-relaxing ~grown-up version~, you can knead, roll, and stretch your anxiety away — and customize the color and scent!
Promising review: "Wanted to wait before leaving a review. Love this stuff, I got the 'Stress Away.' This stuff helps when the day gets a little stressful. Plan to purchase more in the future!" —Michelene
Cosmic Soupp is a Texas-based Etsy shop established in 2018 that specializes in handcrafted goods like ornaments, jewelry, and more.
Get it from Cosmic Soupp on Etsy for $8.25 (available in eight colors and eight scents).
28. A set of ~EXTRA LARGE~ fizzy organic aromatherapy bath bombs handmade with kaolin clay and lavender, peppermint, and orange essential oils so your bathtub will *officially* be an in-house calming, moisturizing heaven.
They're vegan, too!
Promising review: "I have been using bath bombs for years. I've used cheap brands, drugstore brands, luxury brands (Lush, YL) and more. This box gives all bath bombs I've tried a run for the money! The packaging was super cute and totally giftable. I was really impressed at the quality of the bath bomb itself too (I used Heal tonight) and I love that this uses natural essential oils. I have a lot of stress and anxiety and have enjoyed a bath nearly every night for the past week. This bomb gave me the most serene experience and they are HUGE! At least double the size of ones I've used before. Comparable to the size of Lush bombs. I will definitely purchase this box again when I run out and honestly it's a great price at a little more than $2 apiece. You really can't beat it!" —Heather H
Get a set of 12 from Amazon for $27.95.
29. A pack of downright awesome mini rainbow scratch art notes that you are pretty much SURE to love (take it from me!) and that'll satisfy some first-rate childhood nostalgia.
It comes with a wooden stylus to "scratch" (draw) with, too.
Promising reviews: "I bought this for myself because I enjoyed this type of 'doodling' when I was younger — and then I decided to use them to make stress relief gift bags for my coworkers. These are VERY relaxing to do and I love that if you make a mistake, you can correct it and continue designing. I will definitely get more when they run out! UPDATE! After making 21 stress relief bags for my coworkers, all I have heard back from them is THANK YOU. These are so fun! For the price of less than $16, I brought joy and stress relief and appreciation to 21 coworkers!" —Kef000dm
"Absolutely love this! I keep it on my desk at work and it helps me de-stress and also keeps me from fidgeting during meetings. Highly recommend, especially as a gift." —SL
Get a pack of 125 notes from Amazon for $10.36.
30. A lightweight scalp massager to help release tension and increase blood circulation on your scalp, so you'll get a niiiiice tingly feeling as your body relaxes from head to toe. You can also use it on your knees, joints, or anywhere else that needs some relief.
Promising review: "I have one at my desk at work and one at home. This is amazing on those stressful days or if you are getting drowsy to take just a few minutes to massage your scalp. It reawakens the nerve endings in your brain stem that goes through your spine. It is also a great gift for that person who has everything." —Jerralee Dominguez
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $6.99.
31. A cozy, sweet heatable stuffed animal that's lightly lavender scented and slightly weighted to help calm anxiety, provide comfort, and aid in more restful sleep. ❤️ You can use it for both heat and cold therapy! I'm not *not* obsessed with mine.
Haley: I was gifted one of these last year and just love it. Because it's slightly weighted, it has a similar effect for me as a weighted blanket; when I hold it, the heft feels soothing and relaxes me. It is also just the cutest thing (mine is a cow 😭). The lavender scent is faint enough not to be overly fragrant and provides a little bit of extra care and love. Highly recommend as a personal treat or a gift for a loved one! It's one of my favorite gifts I've received.
Promising reviews: "Like a warm, comforting hug. I bought this elephant for my mom who has been ill and suffers from dementia. When I received this product my mom had been having a REALLY bad day: screaming, trying to get out of bed, etc. I immediately warmed him up in the microwave and gave it to my mom. Almost immediately my mom calmed down enough to ask if this toy was for her. When I replied 'yes' she cried, nuzzled it, and fell asleep. What a blessing this product is already for my mom...it’s brought her some peace and comfort. It holds the warmth for a long time and is well weighted. So thankful for this product." —Amazon Customer
"Love this product. Perfect gift idea for teenagers/adults who deal with a lot of stress or anxiety as well as for kids. Because of the heating beads inside it, the animal is weighted, which adds an extra comforting, calming element to the product. The elephant is so soft and smells divine. I would recommend this gift to anyone." —Meg
Get them from Amazon: the elephant for $23.07, the dog for $22.59, and the cow for $23.07. (Available in other animal options here).
32. A lavender-scented stress ball you can keep at your desk for whenever you need to squeeze a little frustration out (because, as Blink 182 put it best, work sucks, I know!).
Promising review: "These are great! I wish I would have ordered them sooner. Definitely a great way to help manage stress. As someone with sensitivities to smells, I was worried about the lavender scent being overpowering, but after a week, the scent has calmed down and it really is relaxing. Very happy with my purchase — thank you!" —Katie F.
Lavender Luvies is a Washington-based Etsy shop that specializes in lavender-scented stress balls and other lavender stress relief items.
Get it from Lavender Luvies on Etsy for $8 (available in seven colors).
33. A low-impact under-the-desk elliptical that anyone working from home or studying can use to de-stress, release nervous energy, and keep their muscles loose as they work.
It also comes with a digital display that tracks time, speed, and distance, as well as eight different modes of resistance, so you can tailor it to your needs.
Promising reviews: "Great quality for the price. I have thoroughly enjoyed the elliptical under my desk. For stressful times and boring meetings it is wonderful. It is amazingly quiet as well." —Jenny
"Already obsessed with this machine! It feels great, gets my blood flowing, and is a great energy release! I am already recommending it to friends. It comes assembled out of the box, it is light weight enough, no complaints at all. The screen is really clear and easy to read. I know this will help me with stress! Thank you!!" —Stephen Dale
Get it from Amazon for $129.97 (also available in pink).
When your mattress topper is so heavenly you'll never get up from your bed again:
