What We Use When Our Nervous Systems Have Had Enough
Our realistic wind-down routine
The little comforts that help us turn down the noise after loud, busy and overstimulating family days.
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Life in a busy house with three kids, animals, work and an endless list of things that need our attention can occasionally leave our nervous systems feeling completely cooked. By the end of certain days, we don’t need an elaborate wellness routine—we need quiet, comfortable clothes and something that makes our shoulders stop trying to become earrings.
These are the products and little rituals we reach for when we need to turn down the noise, release some tension and signal that the busiest part of the day is finally over.
When We Need the House to Feel Calmer
Thomas’s NEST Candle
Thomas is particular about how the house smells, and lighting this Driftwood & Chamomile candle is one of his simplest ways to change the mood of a room. It is warm and clean without making the house smell overwhelmingly perfumed.
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Aromatherapy Diffuser
When we want fragrance without lighting a candle, this diffuser creates a softer atmosphere with mist, adjustable lighting and several timer settings. We like it while cleaning up or settling in for the evening.
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Eucalyptus Essential Oil
A little eucalyptus gives a room a fresh, spa-like scent and makes an ordinary evening feel more intentional. Because we have animals, we keep concentrated oils out of reach and use extra caution about where we diffuse them.
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A Warm Cup of Green Tea
Making a warm drink creates a natural pause in the day. These pods make the ritual easy because they work directly in a Keurig. Since this green tea is caffeinated, we prefer it earlier in the day rather than right before bed.
Shop the teaWhen We’re Carrying the Day in Our Bodies
PJ’s Migraine Relief Cap
This is one of PJ’s personal favorites. The cap can be chilled and pulled over the head and eyes, creating cooling pressure and darkness when he wants to shut everything out. It also forces him to stop looking at a screen for a few minutes—which is probably something most of us need more often.
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PJ’s Massage Gun
PJ reaches for this when tension settles into his shoulders or his body feels worn out. The different attachments allow for broader massage or more targeted pressure after workouts and physically busy days.
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Heated Neck Massager
This is made for the spots where stress seems determined to live permanently: the neck, shoulders and upper back. We use it while sitting on the couch, watching television or doing absolutely nothing.
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Heated Foot Massager
There is something deeply satisfying about putting tired feet into a heated massager and letting the machine do the work. The remote means we don’t have to destroy the relaxing moment by leaning forward every five minutes.
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Lavender Massage Oil
When we have a little more time, this lavender-and-peppermint oil turns a quick shoulder or back rub into an actual wind-down ritual without requiring an elaborate at-home spa setup.
Shop the massage oilWhen PJ Needs to Wash the Day Off
Grace & Stella Eye Patches
These have been one of PJ’s favorites for a while. He likes keeping them as part of his skincare routine, especially when his face looks as tired as he feels. The cooling sensation is refreshing, but they also create a built-in excuse to sit down for a few minutes.
Shop PJ’s eye patchesWhen Comfort Is the Entire Plan
Thomas’s Plush Robe
Thomas loves a proper robe, and this long plush one provides maximum coverage for mornings, evenings and days when getting fully dressed feels unnecessarily ambitious.
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Thomas’s Satin Pajamas
Thomas also loves these classic satin pajamas because relaxation feels slightly more convincing when you’re dressed for it. They make an ordinary evening at home feel a little more luxurious.
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Memory-Foam Slippers
Cold floors are not conducive to inner peace. These have plush lining, cushioned insoles and sturdy bottoms for walking around the house or briefly stepping outside.
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Cooling Weighted Blanket
We love the secure feeling of a weighted blanket, but overheating underneath one defeats the purpose. This breathable version gives us the weight without quite as much trapped heat.
Shop the weighted blanketWhat PJ Includes in His Supplement Routine
Glycine
Glycine is one of the supplements PJ has incorporated into his personal routine. We think of supplements as one small part of a larger picture that also includes sleep, movement and food.
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Magnesium Glycinate
This is one of PJ’s magnesium options. He likes the straightforward formula and how easily it fits into his existing routine.
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Magnesium Complex
This complex is another option containing several forms of magnesium. It should be treated as an alternative to the magnesium-glycinate product above—not something we are suggesting taking alongside it.
Shop the magnesium complexOur Version of an Anti-Stress Routine
None of these things can magically erase a stressful day, and our version of “wellness” is rarely as organized or photogenic as the internet makes it look.
Sometimes it’s a massage gun and a carefully planned bedtime routine. Other times it’s putting on pajamas at an unreasonable hour, lighting Thomas’s favorite candle and deciding that tomorrow’s problems can wait until tomorrow.
These are simply the small comforts that help us transition from being responsible for everything to finally allowing ourselves to rest.
A quick note: This article reflects our personal routines and experiences and is not medical advice. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist before beginning a new supplement. Magnesium can interact with certain medications. Essential oils should be stored securely and used cautiously around pets.