Honesty hour: I walked into the new year feeling a little burned out.

I spent the bulk of 2023 writing my next book, and while I love writing books, the process can be stressful. My body felt the strain this time of juggling writing with working and raising a human.

As a result, I found myself stressed and unable to unwind once the writing was done. My body felt like it was stuck in fight-or-flight mode. The smallest things—like opening my inbox in the middle of the day or completing a simple errand—felt like massive hurdles. I was easily overwhelmed, and I knew I needed to find ways to relax.

So, when I discovered a massage set called Pranamat ECO, it felt like the perfect timing. I’d heard about the benefits of using an acupressure massage set but had never tried one. I felt ready to use the product in a way I wouldn’t have been a year or two earlier when I didn’t see or truly value the power of resting.

It wasn’t until I hit my 30s that I realized I needed to incorporate more rhythms of rest into my daily life. I needed to find easy, enjoyable ways to unwind and keep my body happy.

As a result, Lane and I have been pressing into more wellness practices this year– little routines to strengthen and rejuvenate us amid life’s fullness. You can find us cold-plunging in the bathtub and hanging out in the sauna at the YMCA. Incorporating more wellness into our daily lives has been a lot of fun for us. The Pranamat has fit into my daily routine pretty seamlessly.

This massage set has become one of the most used products in our home. Lane and I have to take turns because we both want to use it at night to fall asleep. I’ll walk into our room at random times of the day to find him lying on the pranamat. I think Lane is quickly becoming Pranamat’s biggest fan.

As for me, using the Pranamat has become a part of my nighttime routine– a powerful way to unwind while doing things I already love.

A little background on this powerful acupressure set. Pranamat ECO is based on the principles of acupressure, which traveled West from ancient China. The term “prana mat” actually means “bed of nails.” That may sound intimidating, but the experience of laying on an acupressure mat is powerful. It’s very intense at first so you need to get used to the pressure. But once you do, it’s amazing… intense and warming, pleasing at the same time.

The company gifted me this product. That said, I care deeply about what I recommend to you. It was really important for me to use the product and weave it into my routines before reporting back. 

If you know me, I am a big fan of habit stacking.

If you’re unfamiliar with the term, habit stacking is a strategy for building new habits by tying them to existing habits or routines that you already have. Think of a new habit you want to add to your daily life and hitch it to an already-established habit you do regularly. 

I love reading a little before going to sleep. I put on my blue light glasses, crawl into bed, and curl up with my Kindle and a cup of tea. Because this is a habit I already enjoy, adding the pranamat massage set to the mix was easy.

I lay on the pranamat as I read and feel my body relax—fair warning: the spikes are intense, but they’re amazing. I still wear a thin T-shirt while using the mat, as I’m working on the courage to go bare-back.

I lay against the acupressure set, and a sense of calm comes almost instantly. In researching the benefits of using a massage mat, I learned that laying on the mat can trigger the body’s relaxation response. It’s crazy that I can feel something shifting in my body when I get on the mat. I can feel the day’s stress falling off of me. My body grows more tired and heavy as I continue to press in and before long, I’m dozing off to sleep. 

I find the mat incredible, but the quality is not surprising when considering the company and its deep values. Just a few of my favorite things I love about about Pranamat ECO:

• They value satisfaction. Pranamat comes with a 30-day trial period so you can make sure you fall in love with the process.
• They value the long haul. The massage set comes with a 5-year warranty, so you can guarantee you’ll be using it often.
• They value sustainability. Pranamat ECO is made using energy from only renewable sources.
• Most importantly, they value human beings. They handmake their products and do not outsource their work to sweatshops that don’t pay a living wage. They believe in ethical production and a creative, egalitarian, and diverse work environment.

If you’re nodding your head, and thinking, “I need to find ways to unwind,” then maybe these words found you at the perfect time. You’re ready to add a new wellness routine into your busy life. Using this massage set is simple, and enjoyable, and you can feel the effects of the mat almost instantly.

If you’re ready to experience the acupressure mat for yourself, you can purchase the Pranamat ECO here. 

I know it can be hard to prioritize these routines but go through your day knowing this: you are allowed to unwind and destress. It’s okay to start seeking out small ways to put relaxation into practice. You deserve it, and your body deserves it.