THE RELAXATION TOOLKIT

Sometimes you need a little something in order to do a lot of nothing. These local picks are the latest in chill technology that encourages you to unwind and reset.

CHEERS AND CHILL

Mindset is a brand-new Vancouver beverage company that makes CBD-infused kombucha ($6.95 per can) in flavours like pink grapefruit, ginger turmeric and orange rooibos. The nonpsychoactive drinks just launched in March at BC Cannabis Stores. drinkmindset.com

Medicated And Dedicated

In 2023, we don’t ask why a stylish pill box—we ask why not. Vancouver-based Loba is working to destigmatize meds through this minimalist but mighty organizer ($175) and the accompanying app, which tracks your pills and reminds you to take them. shoploba.com

SPLISH SPLASH

Handmade in Vancouver, Ritual’s foaming bath bombs ($14 each) contain 30 mg of CBD. They’re made for relaxing, not getting high—though their unique ring shape might have you craving a post-bath doughnut. birchandfog.co

The Dream State

Meditation can be di ff icult and timeconsuming on the best of days—but a single 60-minute session under the Lucia N°03 meditation lamp ($147) may just o ff er a shortcut to getting in the zone. Lucia’s specialized tech incorporates flickering light at various speeds and intensities and a constant light at di ff erent brightness levels to create a hypnagogic or lucid dream-like experience, activating what some have called the third eye. Proponents of the practice say it brings you into a deep meditative state that might only otherwise be achieved after hours or even years of dedicated practice. Lay down on the heated amethyst tourmaline pad, eyes closed, and take in the gentle nature sounds from provided noise-cancelling headphones: the bright white lights from the Lucia will pulsate and intensify, causing you to see a vivid kaleidoscope of colours (not unlike a psychedelic trip) while your thoughts blissfully wander. Fully immersed in your own mind, the hour feels like 10 minutes; you’ll awaken from your trance feeling like you’ve just had a really great nap. A warning to those looking for a passive, less stimulating experience—this might not be for you. But for those wishing to tap into their subconscious, spark their creativity and accelerate their meditative practice, this light therapy could be the ticket. Experience it in pairs ($263), or with five of your friends ($900 per group); Sky Studio Lucia also o ff ers workshops that combine reiki, energy balancing, craniosacral or pranic healing with your light therapy. skystudiolucia.com

WHAT IS IT? Foraging for fungi does require some knowledge, of course, as some can be poisonous and even deadly (we’re looking at you, death cap mushroom). But with high risk comes high reward: this sometime pizza topping has been revered for its medicinal properties since the ancient Egyptians were calling it the “plant of immortality.” Medicinal mushrooms (the non-psychedelic kind) are linked to good stuff like helping to balance auto-immune conditions, brain health, adrenal support, calming anxiety and even living longer... not to mention they’re a delicious food, packed full of dense nutrients and minerals like vitamin B, potassium and copper.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME? Mushroom enthusiasts will try to sneak them into everything (drinks, oils, teas, supplements...). The key to optimizing those benefits is to take them every day. Also, different (tasty) species are known to have different benefits. Are you studying for an important test or need to improve your mental performance? Lion’s mane is the way to go. Want to be in peak physical shape? Cordyceps has been known to help. And wellness faves reishi and chaga are perfect for recovery, immunity and overall health.

WHERE CAN I GET IT? For something easy you can add to your coffee, tea, smoothies, elixirs or cocktails (no judgment), Rainbo has potent extract tinctures, like 11:11 ($55, rainbo.com) or lion’s mane ($47)—or try a package set like their Adaptogen Bundle, made up of reishi and cordyceps ($85). For a concentrated elixir powder you can make into hot cocoa or blend into smoothies, try 5 Mushroom Chocolate from Harmonic Arts to get plenty of mushroom bang for your buck ($30, harmonicarts.ca). Another tasty cocoa option is Blume’s Reishi hot cocoa blend ($25, itsblume.com), designed to help you unwind while you reap all the mushroomy health benefits.