Great as this city can be, sometimes living just gets you down. And January’s a tough month. So take some time for yourself with some of these stress relievers picked by Cecelia Marshall.

Pillowcases

Having a comfortable place to rest your head makes relaxing easy. Trunkh (trunkh.com) offers bright pillow cases ($15 for a pair) made in Cambodia. There are four different Cambodia-inspired designs to choose from. And if you get bored of one design, the cases are reversible.

Trunkh, corner #17ABo, Sothearos Boulevard.

Sleepy book

People sleeping in tuk-tuks or hammocks strung between trees are a common sight in Phnom Penh. Recently released book Sleep’in Cambodia ($19) documents this phenomenon with pictures of people in unusual sleeping postures and environments all over Cambodia. Seemingly no place is too noisy or uncomfortable. This book – put together by Greg Mo – is perfect for insomniacs needing inspiration.

Monument Books, #111, Norodom Boulevard.

Wine therapy sleep mask

Wine is many people’s go-to stress releasing drink. Nothing soothes work-frazzled nerves like a glass of wine. Now your skin has a way of enjoying this sweet potion too. Holika Holika’s sleep therapy mask ($24) is a watery viscous gel composed of white wine extract that comes in a wine barrel package. It dries by morning and leaves your skin brighter and smoother. The smell is potent but sweet and tart, much like wine. The white wine variety is for whitening and the red is for wrinkles.

Holika Holika, corner 57 and 334.

Scents and Oils

Doze off and let different emotions wash over you with aroma scents from Mekong Quilts. Choose from more than 10 different scents, including cinnamon and vanilla, thought to evoke sensuality, and lemongrass, thought to prompt energy. Add a drop of the scents to a small vase and it will spread around the room, leaving you more relaxed. For 25 ml you can expect to pay $5; for 10 ml it’s $2.

Mekong Quilts, Street 240

Incense can add that perfect finishing touch to a room’s ambience. At Couleurs d’Asie, you can try seven different types, in scents ranging from subtle vanilla to potent frangipani, depending on your mood. Light the stick on a glass plate or in a vase and let it burn. It’s $6 for a pack of 20 sticks.

Couleurs d’Asie is also located on Street 240.

Coffee body scrub

Think coffee is just something you drink? Think again. A coffee body scrub combines the detoxifying qualities of the antioxidants found in coffee with the loosening effects of a massage on tightened muscles. After a hard working week, the natural ingredient can have a soothing effect on your skin. Check out White Lotus Spa in BKK1 for a coffee scrub for $28, Street 57.

Yoga, Meditation

As well as sipping on coffee, at Feel Good cafe you can take a yoga or meditation class in its upstairs studio. Classes are held several times a week and instructions are given in English.

Feel Good, #79 Street 136

Herbal tea

Phnom Penh can be a relatively stressful city. The boutique shop, Coulerus D’Asie has an entire wall of products perfect for relaxing. From porcelain tea kettles ($17) for pouring a soothing cup ($13.50) of herbal tea to massage oils ($10) to treat you or someone you know to a massage.

Coulerus D’Asie, #33, Street 240. Phone: 855 92 987 572.