Nine great products to help you conquer anxiety and stress this holiday season!

I love the holidays! Getting together with family, the chill in the air, the smells, and the decorations bring me so much joy.  But let’s be honest, the holidays can also be very stressful.  For anyone who struggles with chronic anxiety, the extra stress of trying to prepare for celebrations, the crowds in stores, and trying to balance work, family, and festivities can be a trigger for increased symptoms. Below you will find several books and products that my clients and I have found helpful in managing stress and anxiety.  I hope you find these resources helpful!  Happy holidays everyone! 

*I am an Amazon Affiliate and receive a small commission for sales bought through clicking some of these links.  However, I would never suggest a product I did not personally use myself or have seen work for others.  That said, please ask a doctor about any supplements/products recommended or your counselor if a book would supplement your work together.

1.   The Cognitive Behavioral Workbook for Anxiety: A step-by-step program. 

This workbook is an excellent resource for those struggling with anxiety. The most beneficial aspect of the workbook is that it will help you better define your symptoms and address them with evidence-based approaches.  I frequently use this with my clients to help them practice the skills they are learning in session. Depending on the level of anxiety you are dealing with, this workbook may be best if used in conjunction with therapy.  

2.  Mindfulness for Teen Anxiety: A Workbook for Overcoming Anxiety at Home, at School, and Everywhere Else Paperback

I haven’t read this workbook, but many of my teen clients have told me they found it very helpful.  It teaches the timeless skill of Mindfulness relevant for today’s teens.  This workbook would be a great resource on its own or in conjunction with therapy.   

 3.   A Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Workbook (A New Harbinger Self-Help Workbook) 

I’ve been practicing Mindfulness for about ten years, and I believe this skill has the potential to transform your life. This book teaches the basics of Mindfulness and helps you use those skills to address stress and anxiety. 

 4.  Rewire Your Anxious Brain: How to Use the Neuroscience of Fear to End Anxiety, Panic, and Worry

 The author of this book taught the course that helped me acquire my certification as a clinical anxiety treatment provider.  The book uses neuroscience to explain why and how our brains produce anxiety, and it provides a wealth of knowledge that can demystify the confusing symptoms of anxiety.  If there were only one book I could recommend to treat anxiety, it would be this one!

5. The Insight Timer

The Insight Timer is relatively new App on the market, but so many of my clients are raving about it that I had to include it on my list. I have not tried it myself, though. I understand that it is an app and website that provides meditation, yoga, sleep support, and classes that help with anxiety reduction and overall wellness. The best part is it’s FREE!

**PLEASE CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE TRYING ANY SUPPLEMENTS SUGGESTED BELOW!

6.  OLLY Ultra Strength Goodbye Stress Softgels, GABA, Ashwagandha, L-Theanine and Lemon Balm, Stress Relief Supplement - 60 Count

I’ve been taking this supplement off and on for several years now, and I’m always surprised how much it helps bring down the fight-or-flight response in me. Like every supplement or medication, it cannot “cure” anxiety symptoms, but it may lessen symptoms enough so that it is easier to use your tools.

 7.   OLLY Ultra Strength Sleep Softgels, 10 mg Melatonin, Supports Deep Restful Sleep, Magnesium, L-Theanine, Chamomile, Lemon Balm, Nighttime Sleep Aid, Non-Habit-Forming - 60 Count

I love this sleep aid because it is all-natural and has no addiction potential.  Also, it combines five ingredients, all known to help support healthy sleep. I’ve taken this during stressful periods and noticed it not only helped me fall asleep more quickly but also had a better quality of sleep. 

 8. Nature’s Truth Essential Oil, Good Nite, 0.51 Fluid Ounce by Nature’s Truth

 I am an essential oil lover! I don’t think there are any magic powers in essential oils, but I’ve seen my clients and experienced for myself the benefits.  I turn to this particular oil when I feel stressed or anxious or have trouble sleeping.  I frequently start my day by dabbing some on my wrists and taking about 5 minutes to clear my mind and center myself. 

 9.     Levium

I think this product might be as close to replacing highly addictive Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium) as you can get without the addictive potential! I tried these little “shots” for about six months during a very stressful period, and the benefits were excellent. I’m sure not everyone would have the same response, but it might be worth a try! My experience was that I felt calmer, more centered, less irritable, and had less brain fog.  The driving ingredient in Levium is magnesium; however, it also combines many other herbs and minerals that work together.  Talk to your doctor as this supplement could interact with other medications.