If you’ve ever taken a yoga class, chances are you’ve heard the phrase “find your zen.” But what does it mean? To live a Zen life, you must learn to let go of control and go with the flow.
Anxiety and stress are hard to avoid (especially in today’s world) which is why it’s important to have healthy coping mechanisms and self-care tools. I recently tested out the Zen Care Box, filled with healing products I’ve never tried before.
The Backstory
The idea for the Zen Care Box came during the midst of our pandemic. With so many people struggling with stress and anxiety during lockdown, Thu Yen Marc wanted to find a way to help. And after spending years exploring different healing modalities, she learned about the most effective tools and stress management techniques.
Thu Yen Mac earned her Masters Degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine at the New England School of Acupuncture, the country’s first and oldest acupuncture school.
The Products
After opening the box, I was excited to find such a wide range of products covering all aspects of well-being!
Xiao Yao San Herbal Tea
Filled with fresh herbs and all-natural ingredients, this unique tea blend comes from Tibetan and Chinese herb farmers using sustainable wildcrafted techniques. Xiao Ya San Herbal Tea contains white peony, mint, roasted ginger, and fried licorice root.
For one week, I switched from coffee to tea in the morning (a tough habit to break at first!) This herbal tea was extremely calming and helped me get centered before starting work. Unlike the caffeine rush from coffee, Xiao Ya San Herbal provided lasting energy throughout the day while also releasing tension.
Jade Gua Sha Tool
Created during the Ming Dynasty, this gorgeous little tool has stood the test of time. Treatments using the Gua Sha tool date back to 1386! Gua Sha translates “to scrape away illness,” and it does exactly that. The major benefits include moving lympathic fluids, breaking down knots and alleviating soreness.
Since I sit at a desk most days, there’s a ton of tension in my neck and shoulders. So, needless to say, I couldn’t wait to test out this product. All you have to do is apply oil (aromatherapy roll-on) to the neck and scrape from the base of the head to the shoulders. Using long strokes, I scraped each area 10 times and moved to the next.
Along with relieving muscle tension, I noticed it also helped with headaches!
Aromatherapy Roll-On
I’ve always been a big fan of essential oils, so I was thrilled when I saw this product. Aromatherapy is a natural medicine that can treat a variety of mental and physical health issues such as alleviating pain, balancing hormones, supporting digestion, strengthening the immune system and last but not least, reducing stress and anxiety.
I used the Snow Lotus Aromatherapy Roll-On with the Gua Sha, so I experienced double the benefits! Ingredients include simmondsia chinensis, jojoba oil, bergamot, ylang ylang and roman chamomile – all of which promote a healthy mental state.
Acupressure Guide
Similar to acupuncture, acupressure is physical pressure that helps relieve blockages in energy meridians throughout the body. After reading this guide I learned about two specific points to reduce stress and anxiety: the Conception Vessel #17 and Pericardium #6.
The Conception Vessel #17 is located in the center of your sternum. Rubbing this area can help ease stress, anxiety, chest pain and even indigestion.
Pericardium #6 is the point on the inside of your forearm between two tendons. Massaging this spot can help if you’re feeling irritable, anxious or stressed. It can also help relieve pain in your chest, insomnia and nausea.
I applied light pressure to both areas for 30 seconds. I did this every day, twice a day for one week – and picked times during the day when I was feeling stressed. At the end of the week, I felt more mentally and physically balanced.
Such a simple yet effective stress-reduction technique!
4-Piece Cupping Set
I admit I was a little nervous to try this one, but it really did an incredible job at relaxing my muscles.
The set comes with 4 silicone cups, which I placed on my shoulders and upper back since that’s where most of my tension is. The way cupping works is by pulling stagnant blood out of sore muscles. I left it on my skin for three minutes and when I removed it, I felt immediate relief. It’s like having your very own deep tissue massage – highly recommend it.
Dietary Suggestion Guide
We’ve all heard the saying “you are what you eat” and this is especially true when it comes to stress and anxiety. Did you know there are specific foods you can eat to heal your mind?
This dietary guide is focused on the liver since, according to Chinese medicine, it’s directly related to stress, anxiety and the flow of energy.
The best foods to heal your liver are fresh, raw veggies and sprouts. Two recipes were included: Adzuki Bean Soup and Cinnamon Walnut & Gou Qi Zi Bread. I love soup and bread this time of year, so I made both recipes to eat together. Filled with new and interesting flavors, I was pleasantly surprised to like the taste! Both were delicious and I will be definitely adding them to my recipe book.
Auricular Therapy
Practiced for over 2,000 years, auricular therapy involves the ear – which is believed to be a microsystem reflecting the entire body. Using small metal balls, you put pressure on different parts of the ear to stimulate different sections of the body.
Specifically designed for stress and anxiety, this guide explains all about point locations and offers step-by-step directions. Since this is a 3 to 5 day therapeutic technique, I started on a Monday and pressed the balls a few times a day to activate them. By Wednesday, I noticed I was sleeping MUCH better – not a shock since stress and sleep go hand-in-hand!
The Takeaway
While stress and anxiety is inevitable, it’s your choice how you respond to it. If you’re looking for a holistic approach to healing, the Zen Care Box is the way to go.
Thank you Thu Yen Mac! Can’t wait to pass on all the new and interesting information I learned!
Maybe It's Just Me 