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We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
"Go little rockstar" —us watching you learn healthy ways to cope with your anxiety
Pick 'N Peel Stones is a Pittsburgh-based small business. Renee Benn started the company as a channel for their anxiety after they lost their job. Each lava rock is covered in nooks and crannies that are filled with latex glue. The fun, soothing, anxiety-reducing part is using the picking hook to slowly excavate the holes. Each kit comes with a filled stone, a picking hook, and a stone filler.
Promising review: "I can’t believe I waited so long to buy this! It shipped super quick and definitely keeps my hands busy. I thought I would go through the paint super quick but I haven’t even needed to reapply yet. My anxiety is so bad lately I was picking my nails until they bled and hurt for days afterward. Since I got this stone I haven’t picked my nails at all! I’m so glad I finally ordered it. If you’re thinking about this, get it now!" —Andrea Fercho
Get it from Pick 'N Peel Stones on Etsy for $27.99.
Promising review: "COVID isolation and resulting stress has me losing sleep every night. I had enormous bags under my eyes and have tried everything: frozen cucumbers, lotions, etc. I tried so many products. This is the only product that has made a real improvement! Not kidding the bags are nearly gone. No stinging, safe for eye area and absorbs quickly. I apply mornings and evenings. Dispenses from a pump applicator. Very satisfied with the purchase." —h
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in three sizes).
Dieux is a woman-founded small business started Charlotte Palermino (you probably already follow her on IG for skincare advice), Joyce de Lemos (who studied biochemistry and previously worked at L'Oreal), and Marta Freedman (who you may also know from her seemingly now defunct IG account @hotgirlseatingpizza).
Promising review: "I LOVE my Forever Eye Masks because of how easily I can incorporate them into my everyday routine. I find myself looking forward to my morning routine and taking even better care of my skin because I'm excited to use these awesome little wonders! They remain sticky and resilient after many uses and I've already seen improvements in my under-eye skin. Thanks, Dieux!!" —Abby C.
Get it from Dieux for $25.
Why it's great: Home Chef's selection of recipes and ready-made meals changes weekly so your tastebuds can take a break from eating ramen five out of seven nights. It also offers custom meal plans like Ready in 15 (ingredients come pre-prepped so you can get dinner on the table in 15 minutes), Slow Cooker, and Entrée Salads so dinner is easy peasy lemon squeezy.
What else to know: Menus change weekly so you're always in for a delicious treat. And it's easy to customize your recipes; substitute proteins if you don't like the meat in the picture, or double the protein if you know that one serving isn't enough.
Availability: Home Chef currently ships to 98% of the US. Enter your zip code during sign-up and Home Chef will alert you if you are outside of its delivery range.
Prices: $6.99+/serving (choose from two or four servings)
Check out the Salmon with Brown-Butter Tomato Relish (left) and Acapulco Beef Burger (right) featured above and current menu selections here.
Friends Kaylyn Minix and Michelle Askin founded Bloom, a small business creating the most adorable and productivity-boosting planners and desk accessories, after meeting at the University of Delaware.
Promising review: "Exactly what I was looking for! Perfect for planning the day and keeping me on task with what I want/need to accomplish." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $8.95.
This color-changing diffuser and humidifier comes with seven mood lights, each of which can be used in bright or dim mode. It also has an auto-off feature, so it'll shut off once you run out of water.
Promising review: "Love it!!! It was smaller than what I expected but I actually don't mind it. I love the size since I wanted it for my home office (which is a smaller room). I bought a lemon essential oil since I love the citrusy scent. Working from home and being on the phone so much stresses me out, and the lights actually help me to relax more and feel more calm. Also, I like the noise from the mist because I can't fully focus when it's too quiet, so the constant noise makes work a little better (at least for me!). I really recommend to give it a try. I'm sure this little baby won't disappoint you :)" —Roxana Tortorella
Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in five styles).
At this point, I've taken over 400 Obé classes and cannot say enough good things about it. You can take live classes, which have the same vibe and energy of an IRL workout class, or peruse Obé's library of thousands of workout videos if you don't like the live class. There's something for everyone: yoga, HIIT, weights, Pilates, dance, boxing, barre, meditation, stretching, and more! Classes range from 5 to 60 minutes so you can find a workout that fits with your free time. All in all, Obé has helped me enjoy exercising again, and the daily movement has done wonders for my mental health during such a weird time.
Get a subscription from Obé for $27 a month, $65 a quarter, or $199 a year.
Promising review: "I've worn this almost daily for a few months now, and I love it. It holds up well through constant fidgeting, moving it from finger to finger, spinning, and fussing. There's texture on the outside, and the spin creates a small enough noise to go unnoticed in most settings. Fidget spinners work, but are supremely obnoxious to everyone else, and this ring serves the same purpose of occupying my sensory needs so I can focus, while still being completely appropriate in a professional setting." —Buck503
Get it from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in sizes 4–12 and 13 styles).
AxV Beauty is a Black-owned business started by Asata Evans and Vic Rose.
Promising review: "How have I lived my whole life without this amazing oil? Day one of use and my face already feels smoother. I’m obsessed with this stuff and will be recommending it to everyone." —Caitie
Get it from AxV Beauty for $30+ (available in two sizes).
Our in-depth review of Avarelle's acne patches gets into the nitty-gritty — why they work, how to use them, and why they've earned 36,000+ 5-star reviews.
Promising review: "These things work. I love them and use them all the time as I tend to have flareups of acne when I’m super stressed. It sometimes takes a couple of applications for the pimples to go away but it pulls the nasty right out of your skin and it’s super satisfying. I put them on before bed and then pull them off in the morning and you can see the gunk it’s drawn out of your skin. I toss and turn at night, and these babies stay put! They are also easy to remove and I’ve never had any issues with them hurting my skin/causing issues and I’ve been using them for at least three years." —Lacy
Get 40 round patches from Amazon for $8.49.
Promising review: "This thing seemed pretty expensive at first, but it has totally transformed my morning routine. I wake up with a smile on my face instead of a desire to murder my annoying alarm clock. Instead of being jerked awake by a horrible sound, I'm slowly drawn from my dreams with the soft light and the eventual sound of birds chirping — even when it is still pitch dark outside. A total game changer for me!" —Anna Lyman
Get it from Amazon for $99.99.
Read our in-depth Philips Wake-Up Light review to learn more.
Promising review: "I. LOVE. THIS. BOOK. It has become part of my daily routine. Some pages have activities such as crosswords or mazes. Others have coloring activities. Others have text. Because I enjoy coloring, when I read the pages that have just text, I color random designs on top of the text while repeating the calming information to myself. The book really does make me laugh and reduces my anxiety a bit. As my therapist tells me, 'Information reduces anxiety,' and speaking feelings usually reduces them. This book 'speaks' worries that I experience regularly, so I don't feel so trapped in my head with it, and it gives me information that either makes me laugh or reduces my anxiety. Pretty amazing. I recommend this to every single person with anxiety who enjoys working with paper." —MBM
Get it from Amazon for $11.66.
Promising review: "LOVE LOVE LOVE! Yes, I look ridiculous in it, but I love it so much I don’t care. My weighted blanket can feel heavy and is often too hot in the warmer months. But this can be worn anytime and in my opinion, does a better job for me. As I’m single and choosing to not date right now, it helps as it feels a bit like a consistent hug (but in a good way… I can only deal with so much physical touch but would wear this all day if I could). I feel calmer when and after wearing it. It is an almost magical thing." —Hope Ewing
Get it from Amazon for $72.99 (available in three sizes). If you want to let your legs breathe, there's a new version called the Sleep Pod Move that uses the same compression technology but has at opening at the base so you can move while wearing it.
My coworker Marquysa Battle loves this stuff:
"I own this and I'll swear by it FOREVA. I have the atopic triad which is science-speak for 'I have eczema, allergies, and asthma.' And how's that related to this moisturizer? Welp, my skin gets triggered super easily whether it's due to straight-up eczema flare-ups, allergic reactions to fragrances in skincare products, or hives and redness due to allergic reactions to stuff like dust and pollen. That said, there are very, very few products that don't make me itchy, red, and (sometimes) scaley. This CeraVe moisturizer is one of the products that make the slim cut. Aside from it living up to its 24-hour hydration promise (game-changer), it has also never broken me out and actually helps soothe the many skin irritations that I experience. In short, it's my holy grail and CeraVe better not ever stop making it. 😊"
Get it from Amazon for $16.25.
Woodland Herbal is a family-run small business based in Warsaw, Ohio.
This gets a big thumbs up from my coworker Emma Lord:
"Y'all, I am one of the world's worst sleepers and I swear by this HARD — particularly for when I wake up in the middle of the night and my brain is in 'ah, let's think all the thoughts we've ever had at the SAME TIME' mode. I rub it on my temples and the insides of my wrists and take a big whiff from the canister and it's usually a lot easier for me to doze back off, when typically I might spend *hours* trying to conk back out. I've also found a little bit of this goes a long way — I've had this a few months and doubt I'll have to replace it for awhile!"
Promising review: "I tried it last night and I haven’t slept this hard in a long time. The smell alone is soothing when you put it on your temples as you drift off to sleep. I usually toss and turn but I slept like a rock." —Emily Irvin
Get it from Woodland Herbal on Etsy for $13.
It works with desks as low as 27 inches. If you're tall or you have long legs, you can still use it while working from the couch.
Promising review: "Really perfect for me. I have averaged about 50 miles per day and have lost four pounds in one week. Really well built and totally silent. I'm 5'8" and I do have to sit in a low chair but it works well and I do computer work and talk on the phone while burning about 1,000 calories a day! You can't beat that. I was looking at more expensive solutions but I won't look anymore. Completely satisfied." —Phil
Get it from Amazon for $189.
I bought these earplugs to deal with noise coming from the restaurant below my apartment as well as downstairs neighbors who liked to hangout on their balcony (which was right below my bedroom window) and drink very loudly at 2 a.m. The white noise of the AC running wasn't enough to block out the sounds (and I'm not a super light sleeper), so I knew I needed something heavier duty. These didn't block every bit of sound, but they did a solid job, allowing me to sleep through the night without issue. I still use them at my new apartment because I am a glutton for punishment and moved into a prewar apartment with terrible sound insulation, two bars on either side of me, and neighbors with a patio who like to talk loudly at night.
Get a bottle of 50 earplugs from Amazon for $8.99.
Promising review: "These leggings are really fantastic! They're deliciously soft, breathable, and stretch nicely without becoming see-through. Also, it says to wash and air dry them, but I have put them in the dryer many times and they still remain true to size/fit. You really can’t best the price either. I’m very satisfied and would highly recommend these glorious leggings to anyone!" —Kelsey T.
Get them from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in one size and plus size; capri or regular lengths; and a variety of colors).
Promising review: "I'm very happy with these warm pants. My house is very cold in the winter, and I am very cold in the winter. A few reviewers commented that the fit is weird. It is not. These are sweatpants, and with a thick lining; what did you expect? They are very comfortable and warm. They are stiffer than regular sweatpants because of the lining. But they are sweatpants-— meaning they were never meant to make you look like a fashion queen. Just imagine curling up on the sofa with hot chocolate and a friendly cat during polar vortex in your fleece lined pants. Nice and cozy!" —Angela Thompson
Get it from Amazon for $26.99+ (available in sizes XS–XXL and five colors).
Promising review: "As a professional lip balm collector, I would like to go out on a limb and say that this is probably the best balm I have used. It stays forever, doesn't wipe off with food or drinks or life, and is super nourishing. It's also really good value for money and lasts forever." —Aayushi S.
Get it from Glossier for $12 (available in eight styles).
Check out my colleague's Balm Dotcom review for more deets!
Promising review: "I am obsessed with these. They were such a game changer for my bath time! Since I have been stuck in quarantine, baths have become a regular practice to relieve my anxiety and stress. These bath bombs smell incredible, are packaged beautifully, and bring a whole new element of relaxation and fun to the bath. They made me feel like a goddess, and the scents are so wonderful and they moisturize and linger, so I smell incredible after every use. You can tell they are made with care and the packaging is so cute. I just purchased these again, and I would recommend them to anyone!!!" —Cindy L
Get 12 bath bombs from Amazon for $26.80.
The Herbal Zen is a small business based in Pennsylvania. Jason, the owner, was working as a pharmacist before pivoting to creating a line of small batch hand-crafted essential oil and herbal-based products that are cruelty-free, gluten-free, and made without artificial fragrance and preservatives.
Promising review: "I really enjoy these. I'm pregnant and find it hard to relax and fall asleep now that I'm in my third trimester and these are great at night when I shower in the dark with just a nightlight. The scent is strong and will give a great waft every time it comes into contact with the hot water. I'm usually in the shower for about half an hour and I put this in the very back and it usually lasts throughout the entire time. If I put it near the front it dissolves in about 5–7 minutes and can be a little overpowering. It also came with a sample of the their stress relief scent, which is just lavender and lemon and honestly smells like fruit loops." —trieulove
Get a 10-pack from The Herbal Zen on Amazon Handmade for $24.99 (available in other scents).
Each bag lasts for two to three showers.
Eucalyptus Blooms is a North Carolina-based, woman-owned business that specializes in eucalyptus bunches designed to freshen up your home.
Promising review: "These smell AMAZING, and they're such a perfect size for the shower. I used to have big bundles of eucalyptus, but they always took up so much space. These are perfectly sized and the blend of Eucalyptus and Lavender is HEAVENLY." —Maggie
Get a set of three from Eucalyptus Blooms on Etsy for $12.79.
Promising review: "Imagine being trapped under a 15-pound bag of beans in a box half your size somewhere, but instead of being trapped you're comfortably cocooned and the bag of beans is actually just a blanket and you're in a bed that's the perfect size. Your initial thought of a 15-pound blanket is terrifying and confusing, but once it's on, you slip into absolute bliss. This blanket gives a sense of comfortability and security, no one with zero muscle tone will be able to disturb the deep slumber you will fall into while this blanket is on you. Great for falling asleep and putting aside the worries and concerns about the monsters under your bed trying to get you, because we all know they give up at the slightest inconvenience. Also it is really a great relaxation gift for others!" —Amazon Customer
Get an 18-pound blanket from Amazon for $89.99+ (available in 10 weights and six colors).
Promising review: "This was purchased for me as a Christmas gift from a coworker. I only recently started using it, as I've been dealing with some troubles in my life. I don't know what it is, but even if I repeat some of the same stuff...getting this done in the mornings (or sometimes at night if I don't make the time in the mornings) has made such a tremendous difference in my attitude toward myself and to others. So much so, that several people have taken notice. I have since purchased a couple of copies for friends who are also dealing with troubles in their lives. I highly recommend it. Even if you aren't dealing with any issues in life, it's such a help for clearing your head before starting your day." —Sumo
Get it from Amazon for $11.21.
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.