10 soothing self-care comfort items for relaxing and unwinding

Comfort items are not just for kids. When the day gets stressful and I don’t feel like working out, I hit the next best thing to calm anxiety, feel safe, and reset: All the things that make me feel good. Whether I’m needing gentle support midday or hunkering down before bed, the serenity supplies in this roundup really hit the spot — just when I need it most. 

I have put nine of the items on this list through the wringer, but the first tried-and-true item, NatraCure’s Cold Therapy Socks, was tested by my dear friend Michelle Morris who doesn’t mess around when it comes to product reviews. If Michelle likes it, you will too. Who doesn’t love a good word-of-mouth referral, right?

Take a deep breath, cuddle up with your favorite comfort item, and dive into this list of self-care essentials that will aid in your mission toward more peaceful living.

1. Cold therapy socks from NatraCure

$24.99

Soft and stretchy, these therapy socks are designed to relieve foot injuries and inflammation, and aid in soothing conditions like arthritis and plantar fasciitis. Removable chilled gel packs can be inserted along the length and top of the foot or behind the heel. “After a long day on my feet, the last step before I go to bed is to put on my pink therapy socks,” Michelle says. “I use the socks in my nightly ritual, which helps tell my body that it’s time to wind down and relax. I have very hot feet and work standing up all day, so the combination of my feet hurting exacerbates my already anxiety and rocky sleep habits.”

Pros:

• Convenience — the socks are kept in the freezer so they are always ice cold and ready to use.

Cons: 

• Walking with the icy socks on can be a bit wobbly.

2. Weighted blanket from Waowoo

$66

Designed to help you sleep better, this weighted blanket provides deep pressure to the body. According to recent studies, weighted blankets are known to lower heart rate, stimulate serotonin, and reduce cortisol, and they’re helpful for individuals with restless leg syndrome, autism, and anxiety. The weight of the blanket is created by the addition of glass beads and feels like a gentle hug. 

Pros: 

• The blanket features a soft covering and quiet glass bead fillers (as opposed to plastic fillers which make noise when you move under the blanket).
• The pressure aids in a calm-inducing feeling, allowing for the body to settle into sleep.

Cons:

• While the directions indicate a machine-washable option, some washing machines may not be able to handle the weight, causing an unbalanced load during the spin cycle.
• Blankets take up to 24 hours to air dry.
• Sleeping under this blanket on warm days can get uncomfortable as you are snug and very warm underneath.
• It is difficult to travel with this blanket.

3. Ashwagandha from NOW Foods

 $16.99 

Used in the traditional Indian medicine system Ayurveda, Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an herb commonly known as “Indian winter cherry” or “Indian ginseng.” While research is still being conducted to prove the stress-relieving and adaptogenic properties, Ashwagandha has a long history of use in maintaining well-being. My personal experience includes falling asleep and staying asleep throughout the night. However, I did notice upon taking Ashwagandha for consecutive days I became quite tired during the day. At the advice of my primary physician I switched to taking Ashwagandha as needed instead of daily.

Pros:

• Studies indicate Ashwaganda can relieve stress and anxiety.
• It has been found to improve sexual function in women, according to a pilot study.

Cons:

• Ashwagandha may enhance or weaken the effects of other medications.
• It should not be consumed if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or if you’re allergic to nightshades.
• Taking too much can cause nausea and diarrhea.

4. Hugget knot pillow from Bearaby

$29-$129

Made from natural latex and filled with Melofoam™, the Hugget pillow provides a soft and squishy sensory experience to keep stress at bay. Gently weighted, these knot-shaped cushions make excellent lap pads and allow hands to slip into the loops. The small-sized pillow helps me ease stress discreetly, especially when I’m on my fifth Zoom call of the day.

Pros:

• Easy to knead and squeeze, the Hugget quickly returns to its natural knot shape.
• The pillows are made without synthetics, plastics, and pesticides using plant-based, all-natural GOLS-certified rubber foam and GOTS-certified 100% organic cotton.
• The small knot is the perfect size for work stress relief — it’s unobtrusive and can be squeezed like a stress ball without drawing attention.

Cons:

• The price isn’t exactly easy on the wallet.

5. Acupressure ring from Sage Healing Collective

$2

A small metal ring made of triangular-shaped points, this wearable dose of acupressure stimulates the fingers. Acupressure applies the same principles as acupuncture, but does not penetrate the skin, bringing a dose of instant relief through pressure points. The initial itchiness took some getting used to but I found relief from tension after frequent use.

Pros:

• The ring helps prevent nail biting, soothes swelling in knuckles, and improves circulation in fingers.
• It’s an excellent tool for individuals who need a fidget or sensory option while studying, reading, or working.

Cons:

• It may take several uses to feel comfortable with the initial feeling of acupressure.
• The skin can become irritated with overuse.
• The rings will easily break if handled too roughly.

6. Original Shakti mat from Shakti

 $89

Made to restore the body in a similar way to a deep tissue massage, this spiked mat is an intense experience that targets muscle pressure points to increase blood flow and circulation. Mats are offered in three intensity levels ranging from 4,000 to 8,000 spikes. I was hesitant during my first encounter with the Shakti mat, as I felt quite uncomfortable applying my full weight to the spikes and had to tap into deep breathing techniques for the first 10 minutes on the mat. I did experience a strange physical relief in my muscles and then had to get off after 15 minutes. Using the mat has continued to get easier each day. Some users stay on the mat for up to 40 minutes and even fall asleep, which baffles me since I can only manage 10 to 15 minutes at a time. 

Pros:

• The Shakti is longer than most acupressure mats, which is good for taller individuals.
• Featuring three different accupressure levels, the mat comes with a free tutorial to help guide you through your first Shakti sessions.
• It’s handmade and glue-free (some knock-offs use toxic glues).

Cons:

• The process can be difficult to begin as the spikes cause discomfort.
• Some individuals with specific medical conditions should not use the Shakti mat (see website for details).

7. Handmade cotton sleep mask from FRESHME

$24.98

Finding the right eye mask to suit your sleepy time needs is a personal preference, and I’ve wasted a lot of money on all kinds of sleep masks. However, FRESHME takes the cake. While other sleep masks are made from silk, this one is made of soft organic cotton, and it’s adjustable. The wide panel allows for complete blockage of light and does not apply unnecessary pressure to the eyes.

Pros:

• The adjustable mask provides complete darkness and doesn’t catch on hair.
• It doesn’t apply pressure to the eyes or nose while wearing.
• FRESHME comes with a handy-dandy carrying case.

Cons:

• Directions indicate to hand-wash only and lay flat to dry — I machine-washed mine and it required some massaging to get the mask back into its original shape.

8. Papillion spinner ring from Energy Stone

$69.99

The Papillion meditation ring is pretty fidget tool for those who need a little sensory relief. With a name that means “butterfly” in French, the ring features four butterflies that spin around the wide floral band for a sense of calm. Made with bright oxidized sterling silver, the statement piece helps me release nervous energy throughout the day.

Pros:

• Available in a variety of sizes, the ring comes with a storage box and cleaning cloth.
• The design is beautiful and timeless.

Cons:

• Buy half a size up as the wider band calls needs room for your finger to breathe.
• Sterling silver is known to tarnish — hence the cleaning cloth.

9. Sweet Dreams herbal tea from The Irie Cup

$15.97

Sweet dreams are made of … teas. This gorgeous blend of lemongrass, peppermint, chamomile, rose hip, spearmint, valerian root, hibiscus, and cornflower petals produces a smooth herbal taste with just a hint of mint. I use it during my nighttime ritual to ease into a lovely night’s rest.

Pros:

• This caffeine-free tea is made using responsibly sourced herbs.
• Subscribers to “The Irie Cup tribe” can save on tea purchases.
• A nice alternative for Sleepy Time Tea fans (Yes, I’m talking to you, Mother!)

Cons:

• None — go get some!

10. Oversized wearable blanket from KFUBUO

$42.99

Move over yoga pants, this crazy soft ginormous hoodie is at the ready for binge-watching murder documentaries and/or PMSing. Made from super soft high-quality flannel, the design is perfect for any body size and it’s machine washable. Features include a kangaroo pouch, ribbed cuffs, and so many fabric patterns you won’t know which one to pick! 

Pros:

• This warm wearable blanket is easy to wash and dry and doesn’t pill.
• It’s lovely for outdoor use when camping or sitting by the fire. 

Cons:

• The wrist cuffs can get itchy, but a nice little stretch will loosen them.
• This product is not ideal for those going through menopause and experiencing hot flashes.

Health disclaimer: Please contact your health provider when using any products marketed with health claims. This review is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition.

What’s your go-to comfort item? Share in the comments below.