I Swear By These 6 Products When I'm Feeling Stressed

If you'd asked pre-2020 me if I was prone to stress, I would have said no. That's not to say that I never felt stressed. Daily commutes, a busy workweek and a jam-packed social calendar meant that there were definitely times when I felt frazzled, but I wasn't used to dealing with prolonged periods of stress. Then, that all changed. Of course, we all know what happened: a global pandemic hit and totally turned all of our daily lives upside down. When the UK entered its first lockdown, I had an 11-week-old baby, and my stress levels were through the roof. I felt constantly on high alert. I was jumpy, my heart would race at the slightest noise, and I was incredibly anxious. And, baby aside, I know I'm not alone in finding the last year incredibly stress-inducing. Despite all of the motivational Instagram posts encouraging us to see the positive side in slowing down and spending more time at home, it's been a worrying time for many.

As we start to slowly ease out of lockdown restrictions in the UK, I have to say that being able to see friends and family again has been the best tonic for soothing stress. But on days when I can feel the cortisol rising, I've discovered a few products that genuinely help to calm my mind and ease anxiety. Enter the This Works Stress Check collection.

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(Image credit: @MICARICKETTS)

So how does it work? Originally launched in 2017, the range harnessed tried-and-tested essential oils like lavender, chamomile and vetivert, which have been used for hundreds of years to aid better sleep, calm feelings of anxiety and ease nervousness. This year, following a series of MRI brain-scan studies to assess the impact of fragrances on states of anxiety, stress and mild pain, This Works introduced ylang-ylang to the range thanks to its ability to minimise those everyday stress levels.

Honestly, I've always been a bit dubious about essential oils, and I hasten to add here that if you're dealing with debilitating stress and anxiety, then no amount of lavender oil will work as a substitute for seeking professional, medical advice. But there's something about the ritual of using this range that has undoubtedly helped me to feel more level-headed and calm over the last few weeks. And who can ask for more than that right now?

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(Image credit: @MICARICKETTS)

Alongside things like prioritising a good night's sleep over watching another episode of my latest box set, switching screen time for reading time, upping my fruit-and-veg intake (I still love you, Deliveroo) and tiptoeing my way gently back into the world of exercise with some daily stretching, I've really enjoyed incorporating these stress-soothing beauty treats into my routine, and I'm happy to report that they really seem to be working.

Ahead, keep scrolling for my honest review of the This Works Stress Check collection and to shop them for yourself.

Shop the This Works Stress Check collection:

Mica Ricketts