Gadgets for carving out some Christmas calm
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The answer? Setting aside some moments to unwind, away from all the festive revelry. From headphones that’ll block out the Mariah Carey downstairs to the headband that’ll help you meditate, these are the smartest gadgets for finding some zen this Christmas.
Neal’s Yard Remedies’ Esta Aroma Diffuser
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When it comes to finding your inner zen, essential oils are a good place to start. Diffusing scents like lavender have proven to reduce stress and relieve anxiety by lifting your mood in just a whiff of their fragrance. The Esta Aroma Diffuser by Neal’s Yard Remedies creates a fine aromatherapy-infused mist, which also works wonders for counteracting the dry air caused by central heating in your home
It’s made from sustainably sourced bamboo and brings a touch of aromatic eco-luxe into any room. Renowned for using sustainable and ethically sourced ingredients, Neal’s Yard Remedies has a wide range of essential oils that you can use in your diffuser, from cedarwood to eucalyptus.
£57.50, nealsyardremedies.com
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds
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There has been a lot of noise this year and it hasn’t always been easy to shut out a world in disarray. But the QuietComfort Earbuds by Bose will tune you out of your surroundings in an instant with their noise-cancelling properties.
Designed with breakthrough acoustic innovations and the world’s most effective noise cancelling, these wireless ear buds deliver a rich and powerful listening experience over a bed of virtual silence.
While virtual silence is great for listening to music, there are also times when you need to be able to hear the outside world, such as when you’re out running on a busy road. Luckily, Bose enables you to personalise your experience with adjustable noise cancelling.
£249.95, bose.co.uk
Loop Quiet Earplugs
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One for nodding off when everyone downstairs is chattering. While Bose’s QuietComfort Earbuds are ideal for blocking out external noise, they are indeed an investment. If you’re simply looking for a moment of peace and quiet without the price tag, then Loop’s Quiet earplugs are the best on the market - The New York Times calls them their best earplugs of 2020.
Made from soft silicone, they’re comfortable to wear and reduce noise by 30 decibels. They are also small and discreet: just slip them in at the Christmas dinner table when the family argument gets heated...
The earplugs come in a range of lovely colours, from Hush Blue to Calm Pink.
£14.00, loopearplugs.com
Lumie Bodyclock Glow 150
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Light at the start of the day is the most effective way to reset your internal clock and the daily cycle of hormones, metabolism, and sleep. Lumie’s Bodyclock Glow 150 wakes you up with a gradual light that mimics the colours of a sunrise so that you feel brighter and ready for the day ahead, even if you only plan on binge-watching Christmas films.
Equally, Lumie’s Bodyclock Glow 150 can help you wind down and drift off naturally with a sunset feature. You can also add complementary sleep or wake sounds, such as the sound of rolling thunder or tropical birds.
However, a light alarm clock isn’t just a better way to start the day. It can also alleviate the symptoms of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) as it helps to regulate your sleeping pattern. Just what you need to boost your mood after months spent in the winter lockdown.
£99.00, lumie.com
Dodow Sleep Aid Device
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While a light-based alarm clock can help regulate your sleeping pattern, it doesn’t necessarily help you fall asleep faster (and doesn’t claim to do so either). Dodow is a revolutionary sleeping aid that trains your brain to fall asleep.
The LED device sits on your bedside table and slowly projects a rhythmic glow onto your ceiling. The idea is that you synchronise your breathing with the blue light projected on the ceiling until you doze off.
£49.90, mydodow.com
Muse S Headband
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Meditation can be a difficult practice to master, but Muse S makes it easy. The brand-new brain sensing headband uses EEG technology to respond to your mind, heart, and breath; providing you with real-time feedback to help recognise when you are becoming distracted and guide you back to a focused, calm state.
The Muse S Headband also allows you to discover your best sleep with responsive sleep journeys, overnight sleep tracking, and personalised insights. While you won’t see results overnight, it’s a good gadget to take with you into 2021 for a year of better sleep.
£289.99, choosemuse.com
Theragun Mini
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It’s safe to say that working from home has often been a pain in the back (and shoulders). That is, if you didn’t invest in an ergonomic chair from the get-go. But don’t worry, if the damage is already done, don’t prevaricate about a chair.
Instead, invest in the tiny but mighty Theragun Mini: an agile device for convenient, on-the-go massage that has a choice of three speeds to diminish discomfort and boost circulation using QuietForce Technology.
The small massage gun harnesses percussive therapy (basically ‘pummelling’ muscles to massage the tissue without a masseuse) to speed recovery and help ease persistent pain. Theragun claims that percussive therapy can help reduce stress, tension, and help you sleep better as it downregulates the nervous system.
While the device is small enough to fit into your handbag or jacket pocket, it also maintains the power and efficacy of its full-sized Theragun cousins, which means that you can take the edge off your muscle pains no matter where you are.
£150, theragun.com
LARQ Bottle
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Finally, in order to truly wind down this Christmas, remember to drink plenty of water between the booze. Studies have shown that dehydration leads to higher levels of cortisol – the stress hormone. So, before you reach for the Christmas gin, fill up your LARQ Bottle with the good stuff (water) and allow LARQ’s water purification properties to eradicate harmful germs at the touch of a button: it’s the world’s first self-cleaning water bottle.
£95, livelarq.com