34 Products To Help Distract Yourself From Your Anxiety
Maybe you've always wanted to learn how to knit — consider this your sign to go for it.
We hope you love the products we recommend! All of them were independently selected by our editors. Just so you know, BuzzFeed may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to shop from them. Oh, and FYI — prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication.
1. A Cricut Maker machine you can use to whip up all kinds of crafts and keep yourself busy — this gadget is great for paper crafts, iron-ons, vinyl decals, sewing projects, leather crafts, and more. Time to open your own Etsy shop!
My mother-in-law absolutely loves her Cricut — it's one of her favorite gadgets. She loves using it to craft cards for all of the family, accents for holiday meals, and to personalize gifts. It's a fun and easy way to unwind while also feeling like you've been productive with your down time.
Promising review: "I love my Cricut Maker! I waited too long to get this. If you’re on the fence just get it because it’s awesome. I’ve made a number of personalized cards and gifts and my family and friends absolutely love them. I also label things for my 2-year-old (at home and for school) and decorated my house! Love love love!!! I get ideas on Pinterest and there’s lots of Facebook groups you can join for even more ideas. Worth the money and works way better than I thought it would. It makes tiny little cuts for detailed pieces. Did I already mention how much I love it? Also they come out with new tools which makes your potential projects limitless!" —Stephanie N
Get it from Amazon for $369 (available in four colors).
2. Headspace, an easy-to-use app that'll teach you the basic guidelines for meditation and some useful breath work you can keep in mind when you're starting to feel a bit stressed.
Headspace has a free 10-day beginner's course that'll guide you through the essentials of meditation and mindfulness. You can also test out all that the app has to offer during a free two-week period before you decide to subscribe.
Get a yearly from Headspace for $69.99 or $12.99 for a monthly subscription.
3. Tea bags for the bathtub that'll turn the water a lovely shade of purple, fill it with luscious bubbles, and create a soothing aroma that'll encourage you to take a deep breath in the midst of an anxious moment.
When I'm stressed out, the first thing I want to do is retreat to my bathtub. When I first gave this bath tea a whirl I was pleasantly surprised! I usually shy away from any products that might fill my tub with pieces of debris (yuck), but this "tea" was sealed in a bag so there were no stray bits to worry about. It soaped up really nicely and completely filled my tub with moisturizing bubbles. Then scent was really relaxing and my skin felt very soft afterwards. I also love that it derives from a women-owned small owned business.
Get a box of three tea bags from Made With A Mission for $9.49.
4. A fidget spinner you might buy as a joke but then discover it really does help calm you down when your heart is racing.
My husband's grandma gifted us each one of these when they were *all the rage*. While most of the grandkids politely laughed off the present, I was actually quite drawn to it. Something about the weight of it in my hand and its effortless spinning eased my mind. I can't explain it, but I do use it!
Promising review: "This is a perfectly weighted and balanced spinner. I find it a great stress reliever when sitting on calls, and it helps me keeps my mind focused on the call topic and my hands off of my cell phone. I like it so much, I ordered a second one for a friend. They love it too!" —Amazonian
Get it from Amazon for $10.19.
5. A good book that'll actually hold your attention and keep you entertained while also ensuring you take a break from all the screens that rule your world. Try out a light read like a romance novel or go all-in on a Book of the Month subscription to ensure you always have a new novel to dive into.
I was gifted a year of Book of the Month for my birthday one year and to date it is one of the best things I've received — I've been a member ever since. There are few things as satisfying as getting truly lost in the pages of a good book — and it'll provide for a great distraction for your mind. Each month you'll be permitted to choose one of four books, all of which are different genres. Then the book you selected will be delivered to your door. Magic!
Get them from Amazon: Sarah Dessen's The Rest of the Story in paperback for $11.98, Kasie West's Maybe This Time in paperback for $12.71 and get a 3-month subscription to Book of the Month for $49.99.
6. Or a Kindle Paperwhite — a must-have for any of my fellow anxious bookworms who settle down and fly through novels like it's their job as a welcome distraction.
It's the thinnest and lightest Kindle Amazon has released to date! And — as is made abundantly clear by the photo above — it's 100% waterproof.
Promising review: "I love the fact that I can read on this Kindle in both daylight and dim light conditions. It is so light and compact, which makes it easy to hold, easy to travel with, and the battery lasts forever. I love it." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $129.99 (available in four colors).
And check out our full breakdown of the Kindle Paperwhite here.
7. Zenimation on Disney+, a series of relaxing ASMR-styled episodes featuring scenes from the classic films and soothing sounds from nature. What could be better?
I've always found the sound of water relaxing — shower, baths, oceans, etc. — so I was immediately drawn to the water-themed episode in this series. Definitely give it a shot! Disney+ also recently released "Disney Parks Sunrise Series" in which, well, you can watch the sun slowly rise over your favorite Disney Park (it's mesmerizing).
8. An at-home YouTube workout by Emkfit you'll need zero equipment for — great for helping you sweat away your anxiety in the comfort of your own home. Emily's many workouts feature fun themes that might actually get you excited about exercising.
I first discovered Emkfit when I was researching Disney workouts for a previous article (check it out here!) and quickly got hooked. Emily's mantra is "fake it 'til you make it, wrong and strong," which is so much more encouraging than many of the other YouTube "trainers" I've tried out. I have a longstanding anxiety disorder and have learned that one of the best ways to cope and distract my mind is with a great workout — which has been pretty hard to do during covid times where I haven't felt comfortable going to a gym. Thankfully I discovered Emily's videos and they have become both a source of fun and exercise. The moves are a combo of cardio / dance moves (fear not, I don't have an ounce of rhythm in my body) and are clearly explained *with* low impact options as well. Some of my favorite sessions have been themed around Mamma Mia, Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift, and of course Disney. There really is something for everyone on her channel, including a 2000s-themed emo/punk workout. Need I say more?
You can check out Emkfit on YouTube for free or join as a member via her Patreon page for $3+ a month.
9. A scratch paper art set that'll take you right back to your elementary school days but also provide a fun way to de-compress after a stressful day.
Promising review: "Ahhh I love these so much, takes doodling to a whole new level! It's an anxiety relief like you wouldn't believe. Plus my kids also get a kick out of them. These are so worth it and I'm going to be keeping these stocked up!" —Katie Toomey
Get it from Amazon for $7.46.
10. An embroidery kit for beginners that won't test your patience but'll provide you with a happy distraction and a pretty piece of art at the end of it all!
Promising review: "I was very pleased. Came with everything you need. Colors are beautiful and it's a great little project to pass the time and ease anxiety. Thank you. Will order from seller again soon." —Lauren Constance
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
11. A smooth stone you can fiddle with when you find your mind running a mile a minute — it helps redirect your thoughts to something stable and lets you literally grasp onto something tangible instead of intrusive thoughts.
I'm a big healing crystal fan and actually learned this trick from my therapist. I keep a smooth stone like rose quartz or amethyst in my wallet to ensure I always have one with me. Something about pausing to focus on the feeling of the stone in my hands helps me calm down and reset my thinking process.
Get a set of two from Amazon for $12.99 (available in nine sets).
12. A date night bucket list kit to provide you and your partner with ideas to make your weekends more interesting and exciting — giving you something to look forward to instead of an evening dwelling on something awful you saw on the news or read online.
You and your partner can spend an entire night brainstorming fun at-home or socially distanced date ideas, write them down on popsicles or use the prompts that are written on each one, then take turns drawing from the tin each weekend.
Promising review: "My friend and her partner LOVED this. They have been trying to grow closer after seven years together romantically and 50+ years of being friends. It brought them excitement and joy. I want to buy myself and my boyfriend one. They are in their seventies. We are in our twenties. It is a gift for all ages that keeps on giving!" —Cady
Get it from Uncommon Goods for $18.
13. A stainless-steel ring that doubles as a fidget spinner to help keep you calm, cool, and collected in stressful times.
Promising review: "I've had this ring for about two weeks now and just had to write a review. I've had the nervous/bored habit of picking at my fingers since I was a kid. I can't remember the last time I've not had at least one nail bed torn up and bloody. For people with similar habits, I can't recommend this ring enough. It's a great, nondistracting way to redirect fidgety behaviors. I've worn it every day since receiving it and for the first time in years I have intact nail beds! Every time I catch myself starting to pick at a dry patch of skin or uneven cuticle on my finger, I rotate the ring a few times and the impulse disappears." —KGL
Get it from Amazon for $6.99+ (available in sizes 4–12 and nine styles).
14. Or a more stylish version you can add into your daily accessories — when you spin it you'll unveil a secret motivational message.
My co-worker Ali Faccenda (precious human that she is) knows I have anxious tendencies and sent me one of these rings for Christmas. I actually didn't even realize it had a secret message on it (mine says "breathe") until I checked out the website myself. I've been spinning it absentmindedly during meetings and phone calls — it's quite soothing and comes from a woman-owned small business.
Get it from CONQUERing for $26 (available as a necklace or a ring and 17 phrases).
15. A five-year diary that'll give you a good reason to carve out some daily "me" time and reflect on what's stressing you out.
Journaling can be very soothing and therapeutic — I swear by it. If you're looking for a way to unwind from a busy week full of socializing, this is a great place to start. I've been personally using this one for over two years and it's been great. It's also helped me reflect on my own mental health journey and seen the ebbs and flows, serving as a good reminder that there are good days and bad days.
Promising review: "I am so glad I purchased this. I experienced awful separation anxiety with my son after going back to work at 12 weeks postpartum. I started to feel like I was missing quality time with him. But anyway this really helped me and made me feel like the days weren't fleeting quite as fast. I can now go back and look at each day and see we did have great QT together. I will cherish this forever and pray I never lose it." —Kristi S.
Get it from Amazon for $15.12.
16. A bath bomb filled with a relaxing lavender scent you can watch dissolve into the hot running water for an at-home spa night that'll help calm your nerves. Take your time and set up your whole bathroom with candles, do a face mask, make it a real self-care event.
These bath bombs include a skin softening recipe and are handmade from a woman-owned small business run out of Las Vegas. I keep a bunch of bath bombs on hand for particularly anxious days. Lavender, in my opinion, is the most relaxing scent. You'll only have to drop one into some warm bath water and let the bomb do the rest!
Get a single bath bomb from JustBubblesAndBrews on Etsy for $4.
17. An iPad Pro and Apple pencil, a great set of tools for anyone who likes to unwind by creating something new. Let your mind run wild in a productive way — try out calligraphy, design your dream home, edit some photos of your dog! The world is your oyster.
BuzzFeed Writer Ali Faccenda's go-to stress reliever is her iPad Pro. She said: "I've been loving my iPad Pro and Apple pencil. I've gotten really into procreate and artwork is an amazing way to keep my mind off of anxious thoughts and episodes."
Get them from Amazon: Apple iPad Pro (4th Generation) for $1,049 (available in two colors and with four amounts of data storage), the Apple pencil (2nd Generation) for $124.98.
18. A beginner's level blanket knitting kit to keep your hands and your mind busy — you'll be thrilled to wrap yourself up in a blanket you made all on your own.
Knitting takes a lot of patience and focus — or at least that's how I felt when I took my first stab at it. You can turn on one of your favorite movies or shows, kick back and relax, and knit to your heart's content. No anxiety included in this plan. The kit comes with three skeins of petite wool, wooden knitting needles, the sewing pattern, a small knitter's sewing needle, and an embroidered label.
Promising review: "Perfect for beginners and very easy to make! The year is very soft and squishy. My daughter is going to love this once I finish it. Highly recommend fo beginners or any level knitter." —HLC0987
Get it from We Are Knitters for $63 (available in 15 colors).
19. A bullet journal and colorful pens you can use to artfully plan out your day, week, month, or year — doing so will help you feel a little more in control and provide you with a creative outlet.
Promising review (for this journal): "Super impressed. This is my fourth year using a bullet journal so I know that I am going to need something that will last. It doesn’t feel cheap at all and I like the little box at the bottoms for page numbers. Also the little ruler and tabs included was such a fun surprise! It’s little things like that that make me want to buy from companies again." —d.rugg
Get them from Amazon: the bullet journal for $14.99, a set of 18 pens for $9.98
20. Or a "Wreck This Journal" that'll encourage you to get more in touch with your artistic side, great if you've always been intimidated by trying to fill out the blank pages of boring old regular journals.
Promising review: "I’m 17 and I loved this. In the intro it says the page instructions are all up to interpretation, so if it says 'spill your drink' or something you can take that literally or choose to paint on it with something such as tea or coffee that’ll look like brown watercolor. Which I love that it’s bizarre prompts but that you have wiggle room if you don’t want to do anything too crazy. I would recommend this if you’re just looking for something fun or if you’re going through some challenges this is really helpful to distract/express/push yourself!" —Marlee
Get it from Amazon for $9.59.
21. A kinetic sand box for adults to provide soothing sensory play — because a tool like this shouldn't be reserved for kiddos.
Promising review (for this set): "This set was the perfect gift for my 20-year-old daughter. She has anxiety and she immediately opened it and was playing with it with her friend for hours. The tray is very durable and the sand doesn’t dry out which I initially was worried about. It looks very modern and not childish in her room. It’s helped calm her and allow her to relax. Even my younger kids were jealous so I might be purchasing more for Christmas." —Smoore
Get it from Amazon for $20.98.
22. An Echelon Smart Bike to make you feel like you're in the midst of an intense workout class without the added pressure of *actually* being around people.
Promising review: "I love my Echelon bike. It gives me the ability to stay in shape for the spring and summer seasons when I usually ride outdoors. I have the option to hop on the bike and jam out to music and get a workout in with various amounts of timed sessions. The competitive atmosphere with the leaderboard, other riders, and instructors pushing me to achieve more is nothing short of amazing. I would recommend these bikes and affordable plans to anyone who likes to get a little more out of a workout. The options are endless, whether you're looking to ride, strength train, stretch or do yoga. The total experience has given me a boost to continue to working toward a stronger and better person all year around. Thank you Echelon!" —Michael K
Get it from Echelon for $839.98+ (available with a variety of subscription plans)
You can also check out their newest bike the EX-7S which has a full screen you can also use for other exercises like yoga, boxing, pilates, and more, available for pre-order for $2,039.98.
23. A tea leaf reading book, tea leaves, and a snarky mug, so you can spend some time learning a new skill to impress all your friends (ignore their snarky comments and jokes, you'll be the one laughing when you've learned how to read their prophecies!).
What better way to take your mind off of your anxieties than to learn something new? If you've already studied up on the meaning behind healing crystals and tarot cards, you might as well pick up tea leaf reading as well! TBH, I think I may need to get this one for myself.
Promising review (for the book): "This book was super cute and informative. I got it as a small activity to do with my mom for mother’s day, and it was really fun! It is great reference for someone who has no idea what they are doing, but it also goes in depth for when you get into it."—Emily Morgan
Get them from Amazon: Tea Leaf Reading: A Divination Guide for the Bottom of Your Cup for $5.95, a loose tea sampler set for $28.99, and a mug for $9.88+ (available in five styles).
24. A video game that'll help redirect your thoughts to something other than your stress and anxiety.
I've personally found games like Animal Crossing and Luigi's Mansion 3 extra calming during this stressful time. When my husband seems overwhelmed I've noticed he gets back into playing Fortnite with his friends and World of Warcraft on his own. There's a nice element of escapism to diving headfirst into a video game for a while.
Promising review (for Animal Crossing): "I absolutely love this game so much!! Out of all my games, I play this the most. It is great for relaxing after work, a rainy day, or to calm down. It actually helps my anxiety. I recommend this game to everyone." —Morgann Madden
Get them from Amazon: A Nintendo Switch Lite for $199.99 (available in four colors) and a digital copy of Animal Crossing New Horizons for $59.99.
25. Friends-themed Monopoly you can play on a Friday night for a stress-free evening that'll also help you relive memories of your favorite TV show instead of getting lost in their own thoughts.
We all know a game of Monopoly can go on for a long, long time — perfect for keeping intrusive thoughts at bay for a bit.
Promising review: "Got this for my girlfriend for Valentine's Day. She loves everything about it. The 'chance' and 'community chest' cards make great references to the show. She loves playing this during her girls' nights." —Elias Gongora
Get it from Amazon for $23.99.
26. Or Uno: The Office Edition, for a low-stress way to spend time with your roommates or family members (as long as Dwight or Michael aren't playing with you because chances are he will find a way to make this simple game anxiety-inducing).
Promising review: "Love this deck of Uno. My family and I always have played the original card game and a few of us love The Office, this deck is so creative and fun to play! Kevin’s drop the chili, seeing pictures of Michael, Dwight, Pam, and Jim in different episodes brings such great and fun memories as you place the cards down and play with whoever it may be." —Steph_S
Pre-order it from BoxLunch for $10.32.
27. A set of 25 squishy toys designed literally to help relieve stress so you can keep one for yourself and distribute to your equally stressed roomies.
Promising review: "These are SO CUTE! They are super soft and squishy. They have a decent scent. They don't leave residue on anything when you're playing with them. They are fun to play with and they help release stress and anxiety." —Yesenia Cuevas
Get them from Amazon for $12.99.
28. Apple AirPod Pro earbuds so you can happily listen to your favorite Taylor Swift album or a podcast without your roomies or family members complaining "do we haaaave to hear this agaaaain?" Added bonus, you can use the noise cancellation features to tune out everything when you simply need a break.
...and might I recommend the too-cute AirPod Pro cases from Rifle Paper while you're at it? My fellow editor, Emma Lord may have just convinced me to upgrade from my old AirPods:
"I have a pair of these, and they're not playing around. Once they're securely in your ear, you can toggle the headphones between noise-cancelling and regular sound, depending on your situation. I've been working from home, and the noise-cancelling is so effective that I can work next to a window where my neighbor is doing heavy construction and I don't hear anything louder than a faint buzzing. It's quieter than if I'd just plugged my ears with my own fingers. I'm also a runner, and these don't budge when you're sweating, which is nice. It's also handy that these toggle out of noise-cancellation mode, because I feel better being able to hear traffic and other people around me when I'm out and about. The TL;DR: I love these so much I have zero interest in owning another pair of headphones for as long as I live."
Get them from Amazon for $216.98.
29. A Luminary podcast subscription filled with audio shows that'll hold your attention for hours — I personally suggest "The Secrets Hotline" in which readers call in anonymously to reveal their own secrets.
Get lost in a spooky story, celeb gossip, or whatever else keeps your brain entertained!
Get a subscription from Luminary for $2.99/month.
30. A splurge-worthy rowing machine for anyone who ended their gym membership but still wants to workout like Kate Middleton in her college days and provide their mind and body with a much-needed stress release.
The rowing machine is one of the things I miss the most from the gym — the Hydrow Rowing Machine seems like the perfect way to fill the void. This machine has a full screen attached to it that'll provide an immersive experience to make anyone feel like they're *really* chopping water while breaking a swear. It can be used with or without a subscription, making it a great gift option.
Promising review: "I own a Peloton bike and I use it regularly. The biggest issue with the bike is that it's almost all quad. Your upper leg is working like crazy and the cardio is really intense. The problem with the bike is that it doesn't do the rest of your body. I bought the Hydrow to try to get a full body workout and it's really great. You're effectively doing a squat, crunch and push up each time you row. When it's over you really feel as though you've worked out your entire body. The classes are great too. You see the instructor on the screen and you're mirroring them, so when they go fast so do you. I took a class yesterday and they were in Miami and there were dolphins in the open water. It was pretty neat. Anyway, it's nice to go stroke for stroke with them and it makes it a lot more enjoyable than a traditional rower. I love it and my family has been using it more than the Peloton." —David
Get it from Best Buy or Hydrow for $1,995.
You can also consider the Starter Package from Hydrow for $2,245, complete with the rowing machine, under machine mat, Polar heart rate monitor, Jaybird Tarah Pro Wireless Headphones or a one-year subscription for $456.
31. A challenging 1,000-piece gradient puzzle that'll take you more than one session to finish — you may want to throw it across the room, but you'll thank me for the mental distraction.
Puzzles are my mom's go-to when she's feeling anxious. They encourage her to use her brain and focus on something other than her worries. You might want to add a puzzle roller into your cart as well so you won't find yourself stressing out over "where should I put this half-finished puzzle?"
Promising review: "This was my first time buying this brand, and as an avid puzzler, I know there is definitely nothing worse than a brand who doesn’t put care into the quality of their puzzles, and Betterco absolutely does! The puzzle was beautiful, and the quality of the pieces were great. Sturdy, fit snug together, and no bending or peeling. Highly recommend." —Ashley Masterson
Get it from Amazon for $25.
32. A P.volve subscription, a must-have for anyone who knows their workouts need a bit more structure but also isn't interested in venturing to the gym when they need a stress-relieving sweat sesh.
P.volve's membership includes over 200 workout videos (new ones added weekly), the ability to curate a plan based on your goals, a built-in progress profile, and a library of recipe videos. I've been told by multiple doctors and therapists that exercising is a great way to combat anxiety — and you just might find yourself getting a bit more fit in the process. If you're not 100% sure you can test out the subscription for 14 days for free!
Get a P.Volve subscription for $19.99/month.
33. A Disney Villains coloring book so you can ~get down with ya' bad self~ after a particularly stressful day.
Promising review: "My friend is a fan of Disney princesses and villains so I purchased this book for her. It is made with high quality materials and provides a therapeutic relief for someone who struggles with anxiety. Highly recommend!" —Christopher
Get it from Amazon for $9.13 and some markers (while you're at it) for $14.99.
34. And a crystal soap making kit, because a hands-on project might just be the perfect thing for helping you cope with your anxieties — and you'll have a beautiful bar of soap to display at the end!
Crafts are a great way to take your mind off of other things. Give this kit a try — if for some reason it doesn't help distract you, at the very least you'll learn how to make soap!
Promising review: "My son and I have been thinking of making soap for a while. But kept putting it off due to the cost of having to buy everything. This kit was right within my budget and made making soap so fun and easy! It comes with an ocean breeze scent that smells great and my son loves having soap he made in the bathroom!" —Deena
Get it from KiwiCo for $29.95.
What your anxious thoughts will probably look like while you're enjoying your new products:
Some reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.