There’s no doubt it’s been an unusually stressful couple of years — and as we head into 2022, the latest must-have accessories are a reflection of the frazzled way we’re all feeling.
The pretty jewellery can double up as an aid for anxiety management. There are rings to soothe nerves or necklaces to slow your breathing. You also have bracelets to diffuse aromatherapy oils.
Do women actually need to have a talisman of calm in order for them to be able to relax?
A cynic might accuse brands of cashing in on rising anxiety levels — and I admit that was my first thought — but there is serious thinking behind some of these designs.
Tanith Carey (pictured) gives verdict on a selection of accessories designed to help you manage your anxiety
Fashion psychologist Dawnn Karen says anti-anxiety jewellery can work as a ‘focal accessory’ and give reassurance without being obvious. ‘People need something that can be inconspicuous so they don’t have to say: “Hey, I suffer from anxiety.” ’
It works, but is it effective? Many of the jewellery was inspired by techniques that are used to induce calm. Dr David Westley is the Head of Psychology at Middlesex University.
‘For example, mindful breathing necklaces are based on flutes used by 17th-century Japanese monks, while worry beads seem to have originated in Ancient Greece and lavender has been used as a calming aroma for 2,000 years.’
They do not provide cures. ‘These methods may bring temporary relief for some, but they won’t address the root causes of anxiety,’ cautions Dr Westley.
You could find a peaceful 2022 with the right amount of bling.
NAIL-BITER’S NECKLACE
Tilcare Chew Chew Sensory Necklace, £8.99, amazon.co.uk
Tanith said Tilcare Chew Chew Sensory Necklace (pictured) are impressively tough and quite satisfyingly chewable
A study by the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that nail biting is one of the most common ways people cope with stress. But there’s never been a more important time to give up, as immunologists say biting your nails can make you more likely to catch the virus, which is transmitted on the hands.
Chew toys are for humans! The necklaces are 10cm long and have hexagonal tubes. They are made of tough pastel-coloured silicone, which is safe to bite, but doesn’t sound hygienic to me.
I don’t bite my nails, so I don’t know if they’d break the habit, but they are impressively tough and quite satisfyingly chewable. 6/10
BEADS OF BLING WORRY
Worry-Not bracelets, £80-£100, motley-london.com
Tanith said Worry-Not bracelets (pictured) don’t have many beads to play with, but is lightweight and elegant
Worry beads date back to thousands of years, when they were used by the Ancient Greeks to pray and Buddhists to aid meditation.
Motley, a jewellery manufacturer has created a modern version. Worry-Not bracelets and necklaces are made to ‘be touched and played with at trying moments’ — and the company says it notices a spike in sales every time the country goes into lockdown. There aren’t many beads to play with, but the bracelet is lightweight and elegant — though I’d worry about breaking the chain if I tugged at it too hard. However, they are pretty enough, and it’s all in a good cause, with ten per cent of sales going to Mental Health charity Sane.7/10
WELLNESS WATCH
Phogary Essential Oil Diffuser, £9.99, amazon.co.uk
Tanith said Phogary Essential Oil Diffuser (pictured) has hopelessly long and confusing straps, reversing any gains in the relaxation department
This looks almost like a watch at first, but it’s actually a timepiece with a clock face. It has an outline of a tree, which is what the cut-out of the dial shows.
You can remove the screw and insert one of 10 coloured felt circles. On these you can drop essential oils. The good quality oils from plants like lavender can relax stress and be used as a sedative in the nervous system.
The felt tabs held the fragrance all day, and was very discreet to be able to smell it.
Unfortunately, the straps made it impossible to relax and were confusing. While I became accustomed to the scent and could not appreciate it anymore, those who met me probably thought that I smelled a lot like potpourri. 4/10
CONNECT TO THE CORE
Hamsa diffuser beaded bracelet, with essential oil, £34, boostology.co.uk
Tanith said Hamsa diffuser beaded bracelet (pictured) worked the best out of all the diffuser pieces of jewellery she tried
This bracelet is made out of porous lava beads, which ‘ground’ you, it’s claimed, because the material comes from the core of the earth. The bracelet is produced by a London-based company and includes 2mls of oil with calming lavender. It has been shown to decrease stress.
It is meant to be dropped on the beads, acting as a diffuser. For good luck, there’s a small Hamsa palm talisman attached, a symbol of protection. This was my favorite of all the jewelry diffusers I tested and it looked great.9/10
Tanith said Silver Fiddle Pendant (pictured) is perfectly weighted
FIDGET THERAPY
Silver Fiddle Pendant, £120, wyckoffsmith.com
This ‘fidget jewellery’ is designed to give busy fingers something to do — which experts say can help calm nerves and improve focus.
Michele Wyckoff Smith, a North London jeweller, was inspired by the smooth pebbles that she discovered on the beaches. She created earrings and pendants that fit comfortably between the thumb and finger to soothe her worries.
The perfectly weighted necklace — with an adjustable chain — is designed to soothe without shouting about the fact you sometimes feel anxious.7/10
CHEERY CHARMS
Notch bracelets, from £24, notch.io
Tanith said Notch bracelets (pictured) feels a little bit cheesy, but studies have shown that repeating similar mantras can help to relax you
This bangle lets you wear your heart on the sleeve.
You can choose a sporty cord or leather for the bracelet, and thread on up to 20 brightly coloured charms engraved with messages you can choose from a long list, including ‘Just Breathe’, ‘Take a rest’, ‘Believe in Yourself’ and ‘Never Give up.’ It feels a little bit cheesy, but studies have shown that repeating similar mantras can help to relax you, and the writing is discreet enough to allow you to keep your words of encouragement private.8/10
AROMA AMULET
Aromatherapy Soothe Jewellery, £38, rockmedesigns.com
Tanith said Aromatherapy Soothe Jewellery (pictured) had a strong smell that put her off her food and leaked a little
These are vials of glass for use in aromatherapy oils. You simply insert your chosen blend through the small hole using the little device that is included.
The smell of essential oils was strong enough to make me avoid eating certain foods. Plus, there was some leakage. And just because I might like the smell of essential oils doesn’t mean everyone else does.
This is good news for aromatherapy lovers who are serious about the benefits of essential oils. You will have enough strength to use your oil whenever you need it. 5/10
TRANQUIL TRINET
The Shift Necklace, £64, komusodesign.com
Tanith explained that The Shift Necklace (pictured) was inspired by 17th-century Japanese monks who would blow into bamboo flutes for tranquillity
Anxiety can cause our brains to go into primal flight, or fight mode. This mode rigs your nervous system to make you take shallower breaths to prepare you to run away, even if you don’t need to.
This necklace also comes with a stainless steel tube measuring two inches in length that looks almost like a whistle.
Blow into it and it helps control your breathing, or so we’re told.
The idea was inspired in part by Japanese monks from 17th century who used bamboo flutes to bring them tranquility. It boasts a wide range of benefits including lowering stress hormones and blood pressure, as well as slowing down your heartbeat.
Even the Shift can tell you if your breathing is correct. If you’re breathing out properly, you should hear ‘a low tone’, while if you’re blowing too hard you will hear a ‘high-pitched whistle’. 8/10