Stress Relief Practices & Gadgets: My Greatest Hits

Over the years, I’ve experimented with hundreds of “stress relieving” practices and gadgets with varying levels of success. I’ve composed a greatest hits list of my favorites, organized by category in no particular order.

Cold Therapy

1. TheraICE Head Wrap

Generally targeted for hangover relief-seekers, this freezer sleeve unlocks a much broader use-case for stress, especially from those who suffer from frequent headaches or migraines.

There are slips to cover your eyelids if you really want to zen out. If worn right out of the freezer, the first 60 seconds will jolt you with an unpleasant brain freeze. To avoid this, wait ~1 minute before putting on.

You may come to enjoy breaking through the semi-painful barrier and slowly adjusting to the temperature. If nothing else, the sensation will take your mind off whatever you were stressing on, offering a bit of detachment. Like a bumpy flight takeoff, once you’ve made it through the clouds, it’s smooth sailing.

All TheraICE wrap products double as heat wraps. You heard it folks, dual use-cases! Just pop this sucker in the microwave for 10-15 seconds and voila!

I promise this is not a TheraIce fan post, but they also make a killer peppermint roll-on stick, which is another savior for the headaches sufferers here. Just roll on a few rotations on your temples for fast relief. They make a great gift too.

2. Hot/Cold Contrast Therapy

Finding a decent Thai or Swedish massage is fairly easy in most cities. Hot/cold plunging is an entirely different type of spa experience that I’ve come to obsess over. Whether I’m stressed, in need of a reset, or seeking workout recovery, this practice works without fail.

The objective of hot/cold plunging is to switch between a sauna and an ice bath at intervals of your choosing. This combination delivers a wonderful balance of relaxation and shock to your nervous system. For a 30 minute session, I’ll usually do 8-10 minutes in the sauna, rotating back and forth into the ice bath for 1-2 minutes until time is up.

Pause Studio is a great option if you live in LA, but most major cities will have some version of contrast therapy. Pause offers a slew of additional services including epsom floating therapy chambers, UV light therapy, IV drips, B12 shots, and more – you’ll be impressed by the complete experience this place delivers.

The hot/cold plunging process literally changes your body’s physiology by “accelerating nutrient-rich blood flow, quelling inflammation in your body, and heightening your senses.” A healthy dose of zen and zap.

I’ve never left here without feeling significantly better than when I arrived. As a side effect, you’ll likely get a better night’s sleep that evening. I like to go mid-week break up a busy work schedule, or Sunday mornings after a workout (or night out).