50 Mistakes You Don't Realize You're Making That Cause You Anxiety Every Day

Our retinas have photoreceptor cells that use light cues from our environment to regulate our body’s 24-hour clock, so using bright, synthetic lights after dark can mess with your circadian rhythm. These amber lights emit a soothing orange glow that mimics the sunset, so your body can prepare for a restful sleep while you’re reading or going about your nightly routine.

I’m a light sleeper, I have extremely sensitive hearing, and I’m easily overstimulated by loud noises. These Loop quiet ear plugs have been absolutely life-changing for me. They’re made from flexible silicone that reduces sound by 24 decibels and they come with four interchangeable tip sizes, so I can barely feel them in my ears. Needless to say, I wear them while sleeping, working, and in loud environments.

• Available styles: 5

Between constant e-mails, meetings, notifications, calls, text messages, and social media, our overly distracted world has a significant impact on our productivity and stress levels. Created by best-selling author and professor Cal Newport, the Time-Block Planner helps you create a schedule designed to minimize distractions, get more done, and feel less anxious. Its daily planning pages span four months, and reviewers called it “invaluable” and “life-changing.”

As previously discussed, too much screen time isn’t doing your nervous system any favors (especially before bed), but puzzle books can help you unwind, pass the time, and sharpen your mind. This Find The Cat book challenges you to search for a hidden cat in over 125 pictures. It’s spiral-bound with bright photos and varying difficulty levels, and reviewers called it “fun” and “relaxing.”

Believe it or not, even tiny amounts of light can disrupt your sleep quality — and the same goes for subtle environmental sounds. Block out both simultaneously with this rechargeable Bluetooth eye mask. It covers your eyes with five layers of blackout material while doubling as comfy earphones, so you can listen to white noise, meditation music, or podcasts without disturbing your partner.

• Available styles: 6

When it comes to midnight trips to the bathroom, night-lights are definitely better than overheads, but even a small amount of blue light can affect your sleep quality. These plug-in LED night lights emit a dim amber glow to light your way without disrupting your circadian rhythm, and they can be set to turn on automatically at dusk for hassle-free use.

• Available sizes: 2 Pack — 4 Pack
• Available styles: 2

Studies find that excess heat can make people irritable, aggressive, or depressed. Keep your personal space cool and comfortable with a portable fan. This one is USB-rechargeable with three speeds, a 25 decibel noise level, and a hinging base so you can direct the airflow. It works wirelessly for up to 12 hours on one charge.

• Available styles: 5

Hot weather can discourage us from doing the activities that help us blow off steam and feel better, like walking, running, gardening, or playing sports. With its 360-degree airflow and three speed settings, this portable neck fan is a hands-free way to stay cool on the move. It’s rechargeable for cordless use, bladeless so it won’t tangle in your hair, and weighs 8.6 ounces for comfortable wear.

• Available styles: 9

Studies show that overhead fluorescent lighting worsens anxiety, while warm, low-intensity lamps are much more soothing. This bedside lamp is dimmable with three temperature settings and a 3-D printed shade made out of corn stalks, which diffuses the light to create a relaxing atmosphere. “I find it very calming due to its simplistic design and low lighting,” one reviewer wrote.

• Available sizes: Medium — Large
• Available styles: 4

From the noise to the delays to the congestion, everything about traffic negatively impacts our mood. This car diffuser helps you turn your vehicle into a personal oasis of relaxation. It’s USB-rechargeable and fits in your cup holder. Fill it with water and a few drops of your favorite soothing essential oil (like lavender, lemon, or sandalwood) to reap the benefits of cool-mist moisture and aromatherapy on the go.

• Available styles: 3

Weighted blankets are scientifically proven to improve sleep quality at night — but they also reduce anxiety during the day. A weighted lap blanket soothes you while you’re answering emails, driving in traffic, or watching TV. This one is shaped like a leaf, covered in soft velvet, and filled with glass beads that are evenly distributed throughout the quilted sections. It also comes in four colors.

• Available sizes: 23"x29" 3 Pound — 41"x53" 7 Pound
• Available styles: 4

According to experts, living and working in cluttered environments worsens our anxiety. The more you can visually streamline your space, the better. This tall laundry basket is great for clothes, but it’s also a sleek and convenient spot to stash blankets, toys, and other clutter. It’s made from cotton rope in your choice of three colors and has side handles with a zippered lid.

• Available styles: 3

While clutter stresses us out, well-decorated spaces have a positive impact on our mood. This macrame corner hammock gets your kids’ toys off the floor and turns them into a cute decorative element. It’s made from woven cotton, comes in your choice of six colors, and even has battery-operated LED star lights to add a soothing, ambient glow. The order includes screw hooks and drywall anchors.

• Available styles: 5

Magnesium is a mineral that’s necessary for over 300 functions in the body, including protein synthesis, nerve function, blood pressure regulation, muscle contraction, mood stabilization, and sleep quality — and half of all Americans are deficient in it. This dream milk magnesium spray helps you supplement topically, and it has oat milk for nourishing moisture and a calming essential oil blend to boost relaxation before bed.

• Available styles: 4

Did you know that the simple act of raising your legs can improve circulation and put your body in a state of relaxation? This half-moon bolster pillow is made from memory foam with a removable, washable cover, and it fits comfortably under the heels or behind the knees. Reviewers called it “relaxing,” “very comfortable,” and “worth every penny.”

Studies show that being in nature can regulate the sympathetic nervous system in five minutes or less, but the great outdoors comes with its own set of stressors — namely bugs. This Thermacell mosquito repeller uses a portable fuel cartridge and DEET-free repellent sheets to create a 15-foot shield of bug-free bliss. One reviewer wrote, “Worked so well I thought my blood chemistry had changed.”

• Available styles: 9

Losing your keys is a vicious cycle of anxiety: Stress makes our short-term memory worse, and being late makes us more stressed. This storage basket is woven from natural seagrass, so it makes for a lovely-looking drop zone in your entryway. Its three compartments are the ideal size for your everyday essentials, so you always know where they are — plus, its toggle lid keeps the clutter out of sight.

• Available styles: 4

Research shows that making a daily to-do list can decrease anxiety by reducing mental clutter and creating a sense of control over your schedule. This to-do list notepad has an overall 4.8-star rating because it’s easy to use and effective. Each ink-resistant sheet has a 23-item checklist with sections to jot down the date, priorities, reminders, and notes.

• Available styles: 5

Essential oils reduce anxiety through scent-triggered relaxation, and this pen diffuser helps you reap the benefits of aromatherapy while taking notes in a meeting or doing your daily journaling practice. Available in several scent options, it diffuses a blend of essential oils as you write, and it has a 1-millimeter ballpoint tip, a rubberized grip, and tabs that let you adjust the intensity of the aroma.

• Available styles: 8

Having trouble beating procrastination? Best-selling author and habit-building expert James Clear recommends the two-minute rule: “When you start a new habit, it should take less than two minutes to do.” Read one page, run for 120 seconds, or fold a few items of clothing to trick the brain into realizing it’s not that bad. These two-minute sand timers are compact, portable, and offer a battery-free way to implement new habits in small bursts.

Headrests in cars are designed for safety, not comfort, so they provide almost no ergonomic neck support — especially if you’re a shorter driver. With their big eyes and cotton filling, these sprite neck pillows are both “adorable” and “comfortable,” according to reviewers. They’re also compatible with almost all vehicles thanks to their adjustable clip-on straps.

When researchers showed participants images of sunrises and sunsets, the participants experienced a significant boost in mood and awe when compared to other natural images. This projector lamp lets you create your own sunset despite weather, location, or time of day. It comes on a flexible tripod and syncs up to your phone so you can adjust colors, modes, and automatic timers.

• Available styles: 2

The Pomodoro technique is a time-management system that breaks up work tasks or studying into manageable chunks separated by quick breaks in between, and research shows that it can boost mood and productivity. This sleek Pomodoro cube timer lets you choose between 5-, 10-, 30-, or 60-minute intervals. Plus, it has adjustable volume settings, a vibration mode, a pause button, and a rechargeable battery.

• Available styles: 9

Your sleep position affects more than you think. Sleeping on your side can reduce back pain, minimize snoring, and help with lymphatic drainage — but the wrong pillow can compress your spine rather than align it. This orthopedic pillow has an ergonomic butterfly shape to support your head, straighten your neck, and cradle your arm, and it’s made from breathable memory foam with a cooling cover.

• Available sizes: Standard — King
• Available styles: 4

Research reveals a significant correlation between back pain and long commute times, but a driving cushion can help. This car seat wedge is made from dense, supportive memory foam with a triangular shape that improves posture, a tailbone cutout to relieve sciatica pain, a washable cover made from leatherette, and an adjustable strap to keep it in place. “Game changer for long drives,” one reviewer wrote. “It’s made a world of difference for my comfort and posture.”

• Available styles: 2

A recent survey found that 90% of Americans stress about money. You Need a Budget by Jesse Mecham has thousands of five-star ratings from reviewers who wrote things like: “Absolutely the BEST [budgeting book] out there” and “It'll change your life.” Using four simple rules, this book teaches you how to get out of debt, stop living paycheck to paycheck, and develop an empowering relationship with money.

Painting is scientifically proven to reduce anxiety, and these watercolor markers offer all of the creativity with virtually no mess or hassle. The flexible tips mimic a brush while the ink is vivid, non-toxic, self-moistening, and acid-free. “Amazing!” one reviewer wrote. “These brush pens make painting more fun because I don't have to deal with clean up afterwards.”

• Available styles: 5

Who says stickers are just for kids? “Great for the littles and even older teens [and] adults!” one reviewer wrote about this sticker activity book, which includes over 500 adorable food-themed stickers that you can place in their respective spots on 12 different pages. Color in the rest for even more screen-free relaxation.

• Available styles: 7

Our brains engage in something called “the negativity bias,” in which we overlook the good stuff and focus on the bad. Thousands of years ago, it kept us alive — but now, it just keeps us anxious and sad. A gratitude practice can combat the negativity bias, and this guided gratitude journal is a great place to start. It contains 66 days of prompts designed to help you reflect, retrain your brain for positivity, and track your progress.

Research shows that writing out your worries can help reduce anxiety and calm the nervous system. Even better: Write down your concerns on slips of paper and put them in a worry jar, which helps you name, acknowledge, and stash away your anxieties. Made from shatter-resistant plastic, this clear bank jar encourages the habit with its cute fishbowl design and slotted bamboo lid.

You’ve undoubtedly heard about the benefits of meditation, but a regular mindfulness practice helps to interrupt negative thought patterns so you can reprogram your brain for positivity instead of anxiety. The Breathing Buddha is a cute little accessory that teaches mindfulness without a screen. Made from squishy silicone, it lights up and changes colors to guide your breath, and it’s rechargeable for cord-free use.

• Available styles: 4

Yes, cord clutter makes us anxious — but it also wastes valuable time. These Wrap-It Storage quick straps have an overall 4.7-star rating because they keep your wires, charging cords, and electronics well-organized and untangled. They’re made from weather-resistant polypropylene that’s strong enough for hanging, and their hook-and-loop closures make for easy fastening, removal, and readjustment.

• Available sizes: 9" (12 Pack) — 16" (8 Pack)
• Available styles: 3

When something breaks, it’s tempting to just buy a new one — but research shows that repairing a broken item teaches us new skills and helps us feel a greater appreciation for that item. These universal bungee cords have helped reviewers fix, organize, and secure all types of things, including tarps, tents, boat and furniture covers, pergolas, cords, electronics, and wires. They’re lightweight with plastic toggles, yet ultra-durable for indoor and outdoor use.

• Available sizes: 6 inch — 9 inch
• Available styles: 2

Since it negatively impacts our sleep quality and breathing, dust exposure is linked to anxiety and depression. This chenille duster has a brilliant slot in the middle that helps you clean both sides of the fan blades at once, trapping allergens in its washable microfiber fingers. You can also use it to clean floors, baseboards, moldings, windows, and ceilings, especially since it comes with an extendable 62.5-inch pole.

A clean workspace boosts productivity, concentration, and mood, but some items are harder to clean than others. This air duster has a dual design that both sucks in air for vacuuming small desktop messes and blows out air for cleaning keyboards, computer parts, and electronics. It’s also compact and rechargeable for portability.

• Available styles: 2

Pets boost mood, minimize loneliness, and reduce anxiety, but inconsistent feeding schedules create stress for both pets and their owners. This automatic pet feeder holds up to 3 liters of dry food, has a built-in 12-hour clock for customized feeding times, and has programmable portion sizes for multiple pets. “Best invention known to man,” wrote one reviewer. “It’s so nice getting him fed without having to wake earlier to do so.”

• Available styles: 3

Satin bedding has tons of benefits for your hair, skin, and sleep quality. It not only reduces friction, frizz, tangles, dryness, and wrinkles, but it also feels cool to the touch to balance body temperature. This satin pillowcase has an overall 4.5-star rating because it’s smooth and cooling, plus it comes with a satin eye mask and scrunchie.

• Available styles: 5

A sound machine has completely transformed my sleep quality, and the science backs up my experience; white noise covers up distracting sounds that would otherwise register in your brain as danger, allowing you to sleep deeper and more restfully. This portable white noise machine is USB-rechargeable with 36 sound options, adjustable volume settings, and three automatic timer functions.

• Available styles: 3

Think stuffed animals are just for kids? Think again: Research shows that cuddling with a plushie as an adult can boost comfort, nostalgia, and relaxation. This cat pillow is built for full-body support due to its elongated design and satisfyingly squishy interior. It’s also machine washable and comes in several designs and lengths. “I am an adult and I love it,” one reviewer wrote.

• Available styles: 12

Caffeine may give you a jolt of energy in the morning, but its stimulant effects can also worsen symptoms of anxiety. Using ingredients like cinnamon bark, cayenne pepper, banaba leaf, and licorice root, this energy balance supplement is designed to balance blood sugar levels to keep you energized all day without caffeine. “I can truly tell a huge difference,” one reviewer wrote. “Due to an increase in my activity, I go to sleep almost the minute my head hits the pillow.”

Studies show that those who skip meals are more likely to experience anxiety and depression. If you prep food beforehand, however, you’re much more likely to fuel your body as needed. These meal prep containers are made from freezer- and oven-safe borosilicate glass with three compartments and leak-proof locking lids. No wonder they have an overall 4.6-star rating from more than 52,000 reviewers.

• Available sizes: Pack - 34oz — 13 Pack Assorted
• Available styles: 3

I no longer dread defrosting my leftovers. Silicone freezer trays have been a lifesaver when it comes to my own food prep routine. Since each 2-cup compartment holds a single serving of soup, sauce, stew, or chili, they allow me to defrost and eat an individual portion without having to defrost all the leftovers at once. These also have reinforced steel frames and lids for stacking and leak resistance.

• Available styles: 3

While bosses, friends, and family members might appreciate your bend-over-backwards tendencies, maladaptive perfectionism is driven by a fear of failure, and it can result in anxiety and depression. Consider this Jar of F*cks to help you decide what’s worth perfecting, and when good enough is good enough. It has an average 4.9-star rating from thousands of reviewers because it’s funny, cute, authentic, and surprisingly practical.

Hammocks are typically associated with peaceful retreats and beachside vacations, and for a good reason: Lounging in one can actually help with sensory integration thanks to the soothing rocking motions and cocoon-like security. Even though it weighs 3 pounds, this double hammock is big enough for two and can support up to 450 pounds. It’s made from a blend of cotton and polyester jacquard with an included carrying bag.

• Available styles: 4

Self-criticism is one of the most significant sources of shame and anxiety, and defeating that inner critic isn’t easy. Clever Fox’s Self-Love journal is “amazing” and “definitely helping,” according to reviewers. It combines a self-love workbook with 180 days of daily journaling prompts, all of which are designed to cultivate compassion, gratitude, and positivity.

• Available styles: 12

Exercise isn’t just about physical health. It also completes the stress response cycle, indicating to our bodies that we’re safe after we endure stressful events and helping us return to parasympathetic mode. A fitness journal helps you create and stick to a workout schedule so you can burn off steam on a regular basis. This one helps you set personal goals and timelines, track your progress, and design your own exercise routines.

• Available styles: 6

If you’re already stressed, long, high-intensity workouts can actually elevate the stress hormone cortisol even more. Yoga is one of the most popular forms of exercise for mental health because it pairs movement with deep, mindful breathing. This yoga mat is a great place to start. Despite its affordable price tag, it’s grippy, well-cushioned, and easy to clean. “Thick and durable,” one reviewer wrote. “It has helped me excel in yoga practice.”

• Available styles: 3

In recent years, scientists have found that muscle health plays a huge role in physical and mental well-being, so resistance training is a key player in reducing anxiety. Bear Grips are 1-pound weights that you can wear around your wrists or ankles to add resistance to various workouts, including walking, yoga, Pilates, and more. They’re coated in waterproof silicone for comfort and have elastic velcro straps for a secure fit.

• Available styles: 2

In a lot of ways, yoga is a metaphor for navigating uncertainty. The more stable you feel in your practice, the more grounded you’ll feel mentally. These yoga socks are made from breathable cotton with non-skid PVC dots on the bottom, which offer grip and stability on and off the mat. “They are super soft and warm but provide a no-slip, no-trip option for my yoga practice on cold mornings,” one reviewer wrote.

• Available sizes: Small — XL
• Available styles: 11

Finally, since research finds that chronic people-pleasing is linked to anxiety, resentment, and burnout, learning to set healthy boundaries can be life-changing. These mini caution signs fit on your desk and offer a funny yet functional way to let your coworkers or family members know you’re overstimulated. “Humor or factual warning? Judge carefully,” one reviewer wrote. “In our house and line of work, these are no prank. These should be taken very seriously.”

• Available sizes: 1 — 2