The Best Books, Accessories, and Kits to Support Your Mental Health

While it feels like everyone and their mother has a journaling practice these days, the thought of doing stream-of-consciousness writing can be quite intimidating for novices. Our editors (and Skimm’rs alike) love Intelligent Change’s cult-favorite Five Minute Journal for its streamlined prompts and concise nature. In the morning, write three bullets of gratitude, what would make the day great, and a daily affirmation. At bedtime, reflect on the day by quickly listing some highlights. ($28.49, Amazon)

Adulting is finding a pair of earplugs that don’t suck. These ones from Loop are discrete enough that they pass for a pair of Bluetooth headphones. They’re made of a soft, flexible silicone that’s comfortable to wear for hours on end, and they provide up to 24 dB of noise reduction. Whether you live in a loud neighborhood, work in a busy office space, or are generally sensitive to noise, keep these on hand at all times. ($24.95, Loop Earplugs)

One of our editors keeps essential oils on hand for managing car sickness, travel anxiety, and panic attacks. After using this one from Saje, we can attest that the blend of chamomile, clary sage, and lavender felt like having a mini spa on the go. You can roll it along the wrists, forehead, neck, and shoulders, or rub some between your hands and do a couple rounds of box breathing for a relaxing effect. ($36+, Saje)

You don’t need an ice roller that costs nearly a hundred dollars. We love this $16 Amazon version for cooling off during hot summer days, depuffing in the morning (or post-cry), and managing tension headaches. ($16.14, Amazon)

If you work in front of a laptop all day, you’ll love this. Chirp’s Wheel XR 4” Neck & Headache is compact and has two different kinds of nodes for suboccipital release. Lay down and place it at the base of your neck. The slight dip in the center will cradle your spine, while both nodes will release tension thanks to the acupressure. Our editors noted that it was a pain-relieving way to unwind at the end of the work day, while stretching out your neck and improving posture. ($39.99, Chirp)

Another year of Speks taking home the prize for Best Fidget Toy. Our editor’s favorite version: their Odds Silicone Magnets. You’ll get three silicone-coated magnets, and you can pick from four different shapes and styles. They’re quiet, discrete, and we love them for keeping our hands busy during meetings, random calls, and therapy sessions. ($24.95, Speks)

Who knew that a knotted pillow would provide so much stress relief? Our editors have been impressed by Bearaby’s Hugget for years. It’s a sensory pillow that’s ever-so-slightly weighted thanks to its knotted design, and is made of a plush foam that reminds us of a stress ball. Keep it in your lap and tuck your hands inside for something soothing to cuddle while you watch TV. ($71, Bearaby)

Don’t let TikTok fool you. Wreck This Journal is the original foray into junk journaling and has been popular for over a decade. Each page features a prompt more ridiculous than the last, from adding dirt to throwing your journal on the floor. Either way, it’s a great method for stepping away, regulating your nervous system, and cutting back on screen time. ($9.59, Amazon)

This borosilicate glass bong is so design-forward, you can comfortably keep it out on your bar cart and your guests might mistake it for a chic decanter. Our editors love this one for how sleek and lowkey it is, while its four components (the shell, core, slide/bowl, and gasket) are easy to clean. Just use a mixture of sea salt and 70% isopropyl alcohol. ($88, NWTN Home)

Before testing these out, we were genuinely skeptical. But Kourtney Kardashian Barker’s Lemme Chill gummies made us feel steadily calm without feeling groggy. They’re made of a clinically studied KSM-66 ashwagandha that helps to maintain healthy cortisol levels. You can take two in the morning if you’re anticipating a stressful day, or take as needed. ($30, Ulta)

These differ from the Quiet version in that they’re made of a squishy foam-silicone duo that make them undetectable when lying on your side. Because the outer piece is a closed loop (opposed to Quiet’s open loop shape), they’ll further block out sound as you fall asleep. They’ll reduce up to 27 dB of sound, so our editors found that these work best for sleep or for cutting out loud noises while on a flight. If you’re looking for an earplug that allows you to be aware of your surroundings, try Loop’s Quiet 2. ($49.95, Loop Earplugs)

This is the powder that kicked off the Sleepy Girl Mocktail craze. Our Senior Editor is a notorious insomniac and she claims that this works so well, she doesn’t even need to finish a full glass to feel the effects for a full eight hours. It contains three forms of magnesium and L-theanine to help you fall — and stay — asleep. Not to mention, the berry flavor is refreshing without being sickly sweet. ($44, Moon Juice)

One of the biggest considerations our editors made when testing pillows was if the fluff factor would actually last. Over time, pillows can flatten and wear out, leading to poor neck support. The Marlow Pillow has been a dependable favorite amongst our team. Its zippered perimeter allows you to adjust the level of support that you need, which also allows it to last longer than most pillows. Plus, it’s made of a gel-infused memory foam and a sateen shell that are both cooling. ($39.20/2-pack, Marlow)

Hatch’s Restore 3 was another unanimous vote amongst our editors. The design-forward bedside device has consistently set us up for nearly effortless mornings starting at bedtime. You can use the Bluetooth-powered app to curate your own wind-down and wake-up routines by selecting sounds, along with light color and levels. You can also implement the sunrise alarm feature as a way to steadily wake up in a way that isn’t jarring. The Restore 3 has most of its controls on the device, so once you’ve set your routine on the app, you can go phone-free. The best part? It’s officially HSA/FSA-eligible. ($169.99, Hatch)

One of our editors loves Ritual’s multivitamin as it’s gentle on her sensitive stomach. The same goes for the brand’s innovative take on melatonin because it releases throughout the night, and tapers out by morning for a wake-up that isn’t groggy. You can take it with or without food, and its essential oil-infused scent table made it easy and more pleasurable to take. ($28, Ritual)

We’re huge fans of Meera Lee Patel’s guided journals, but this illustrated book is the best for the days when you could use some extra support. Each chapter concisely breaks down how to navigate change and uncertainty in a way that’s digestible and easy to grasp. Plus, her stunning watercolor illustrations help to visualize important concepts.

Elaine Welteroth is the former Editor-in-Chief of Teen Vogue, a TV host, and the founder of birthFUND. Our editors love her 2020 memoir because it gives relatable, approachable advice about how to strategically think about your career, how to have difficult conversations at and about work, and how to emotionally support yourself in the process. If you’re looking for career advice that sounds like it’s coming from a trusted friend, read this.

This book was 2024’s book of the summer, and our Reads editors both laughed and cried throughout the entire thing. The buzzy novel follows Phoebe, who’s arrived at a luxe Rhode Island resort with plans to end her life. But when she realizes that the entire hotel has been rented out for a weekend wedding, and she crosses paths with the bride, her week in Newport takes a turn for the better — particularly because of the new friendships and meaningful conversations she has along the way.

While this book is slim, our editor loved it so much that she found herself making notes on just about every page. If you aren’t familiar with Phil Stutz, he’s a renowned therapist and co-creator of The Tools. His most recent book is a continuation of the magnum opus, as he breaks down even more hacky concepts to help manage anxiety, spiraling, cyclical behavioral patterns, and overthinking.

We will gobble up anything Amanda Montell puts in front of us. In her latest, the linguist and bestselling author unpacks the loopholes in the mental tricks and cognitive biases that we all tend to use as coping mechanisms. Montell connects the halo effect to Taylor Swift, the way sunk cost fallacy keeps us in situations we simply should not be in anymore, and so much more. It’s one of the most fascinating, entertaining reads on human behavior we’ve ever read (and no, that’s not an overstatement).

The number one reason we love Paint Anywhere’s Paint by Number kits: The designs are so chic we actually want to display them in our homes. Each kit starts at $40, depending on the size you go for. You’ll get all the brushes and corresponding numbered paints you’ll need to complete the project. If you’re a beginner, we recommend starting with their mini-sized prints. ($40+, Paint Anywhere)

No, you don’t need to spend on expensive ceramics classes in order to get the relaxation that comes with clay play. Pott’d’s Home Pottery Kit comes with kiln-free clay, paintbrushes, glaze, sculpting tools, and glossy varnish. There’s also a comprehensive guidebook included, so you can follow the basic step-by-step instructions to create one of their designs, or choose your own adventure. ($54, Pott’d)

This online class platform comes from the creators of Uncommon Goods, and it’s one of the best ways to try something new from the comfort of your own home. Select the class you want (with topics ranging from cooking and crafting to astrology and tarot readings), and Uncommon Experiences will send instructions on the materials you might need to buy beforehand. (Price varies, Uncommon Experiences)

Take fidgeting to a whole new level with these slimes from Sloomoo Institute. Our editors raved about them for the tactile experience of adding the themed mix-ins into the slime itself. Pick from designs like Lemon Drop, Strawberry Moon Milk, Build Your Own Boba, and more. ($8+, Sloomoo Institute)

Coco Wyo’s vast collection of coloring books have been going viral on social media. After putting them to the test, we can confirm that they’re worth the hype. Its adorable designs are intricate without being intimidating, and are a beginner-friendly escape for cutting back on screen time. Pair it with these inexpensive markers for your next coloring experience. ($7.99, Amazon)