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Clinical Psychologist Reveals Why You Shouldn’t Waste Money on These Top 5 Stress Relief Tools — Even If They’re Free This Black Friday

Some of these tools can work… eventually.

But most are slow, pricey to keep up, or end up forgotten in the back of your closet.

And there might just be one worth grabbing this Black Friday — or even gifting this holiday season if you actually want to help someone relax for real.

If you’re reading this, it means you’re not the type to camp outside for a flat-screen TV or elbow strangers for an air fryer.

You actually care about your health — especially your mental health — and that already puts you ahead of the game.

Let’s be honest — splurging on calm beats splurging on another gadget that’ll collect dust by February.

But there are still a few money pits to watch out for if you really want to get your money’s worth.

That’s why we asked Dr. Laura Bennett, a clinical psychologist with 15 years of experience helping patients manage anxiety and stress, to share her no-nonsense take on the stress relief tools that will be plastered across Black Friday sales.

Why most of them are worth skipping — and the one tool that might actually be worth the splurge.

Here’s what Dr. Bennett says about the most hyped-up stress fixes you’ll see on sale this week.

Tool #1: Meditation apps

“Medication apps can help some people,” Dr. Bennett says. “But most of my patients quit after a week. They get frustrated because the results are slow, and meanwhile, the subscription keeps charging.”

The idea sounds good.

A soothing voice, calming music, a few deep breaths.

But if your brain won’t shut off, no app is going to fix that overnight.

Tool #2: Gummies, pills, powders

“Supplements are popular,” Dr. Bennett says. “Magnesium, melatonin, CBD, ashwagandha. Some people feel a small effect. But they’re not magic, and the costs add up fast.

”They come in candy-colored bottles with promises like “Calm” or “Deep Sleep.”

Sometimes you get a placebo nudge.Sometimes you wake up groggy or bloated.

Most of the time, you just end up re-buying the same bottles month after month.

Tool #3: Teas and oils

Chamomile teas. Lavender oils. Sleep blends.

“These are fine rituals,” Dr. Bennett says. “But they’re rituals, not real solutions.

If your nervous system is still in high gear, no tea bag is going to flip that switch.

”At best, you get a cozy night routine.

At worst, you’ve spent $20 on scented water.

Tool #4: Massage guns and rollers

They’ll be everywhere this Black Friday.

Discount massage guns, neck rollers, buzzing gadgets that pound your muscles.

“They feel good in the moment,” Dr. Bennett explains. “But stress doesn’t live in your shoulder blades. These tools release tension in the body, but the relief fades quickly.

”Fun toy? Sure.

Lasting stress fix? No.

Tool #5: Weighted blankets

TikTok made them famous. Black Friday makes them cheap.

“Some patients like the grounded feeling,” Dr. Bennett says. “But most tell me it ends up hot, uncomfortable, and in the closet by January.

”Night one: cozy cocoon.

Night two: sweaty wrestling match.

Night three: regret.

So what really works?

Dr. Bennett says the problem with most of these tools is they don’t address the actual stress switch in the body.

“Stress lives in your nervous system,” she explains. “If you don’t reset that system, the supplements, teas, and gadgets only scratch the surface.

”That’s why she points to vagus nerve stimulation as a tool that can work faster and more directly.

The REAL reason you’re stressed

The vagus nerve is the body’s built‑in calm button — connecting your brain to your heart, lungs, and gut.

When it’s active, your heart rate slows, breathing deepens, and your body knows it’s safe to relax.

When it’s quiet, stress takes over — racing thoughts, tight chest, tense muscles.

Here’s the key — none of the top five tools above actually activate your vagus nerve.

They might make you feel good for a bit, but they don’t flip the real switch that calms your body from the inside out.

Most stress gadgets target the surface — the muscles or tension — not the nervous system, where stress truly begins.

When the vagus nerve is stimulated, it sends a message that says, “You’re safe. You can relax now.”

Your heart steadies, your breath slows, and that tight feeling in your chest fades.

It’s not about forcing calm — it’s about letting your body remember how to feel it again.

The easiest way to stimulate your Vagus Nerve

So how do you actually activate it?

Dr. Bennett explains, “That’s where Pulsetto comes in.”

“It’s a small wearable you place on your neck where the vagus nerve is easiest to reach. You simply select a program — there are options for stress, anxiety, sleep, burnout, even headache pain.”

She explains that her patients use it in different ways.

Some turn it on during the day while they work, so they stay calm and focused instead of overwhelmed.

Others use it right after work as a reset to shake off fatigue and feel more energized for the evening.

But one of the most common uses is before bed.

Some people even buy it as a gift for someone who’s been running on stress all year — it’s one of those rare things that actually helps instead of ends up in a drawer.

8 out of 10 people say they’re feeling calmer in as little as 4 minutes

“My patients put it on for about 10 minutes, and they fall asleep faster and stay asleep through the night instead of waking up at 2 or 3 a.m.”

Pulsetto works by sending a gentle electrical pulse through small electrodes on both sides of the neck.

“That’s what makes it more effective than other stimulators,” Dr. Bennett notes. “Because it stimulates both sides of the nerve, the effect is stronger.”

She adds that patients describe it as a light buzz, sometimes a tiny muscle twitch, but never painful — more like a gentle neck massage.

“It actually feels relaxing in itself.”

And unlike apps or gadgets that demand focus and time, Pulsetto is effortless.

“You can wear it while working on your laptop, brushing your teeth, reading before bed, even walking outside. It’s hands-free, so it fits into daily life.”

Get Pulsetto for up to 64% off — the biggest sale of the year

Limited-time offer.

Big savings, zero risk.

With the 30-day money-back guarantee, you’ve got nothing to lose — only calm to gain.

Pulsetto has caught the attention of top biohackers like Peter Diamandis and Ben Greenfield.

They use it daily to manage stress, fall asleep faster, and sleep deeper.

Try it for two weeks.If you don’t feel calmer, send it back.

No risk.

No stress.

And unlike most Black Friday buys that just add more noise, Pulsetto might be the one thing that actually takes it away.