30 December 2023
Experts share their favorite wellness products for physical and mental well-being
As stress and burnout rates continue to rise, more Americans are prioritizing their health and embracing self-care. With the new year upon us, it’s the perfect time to form healthy habits that promote well-being. To help you on your wellness journey, we’ve gathered insights from a panel of experts, including behavioral health scientists, doctors, wellness entrepreneurs, and health tech founders. These experts have shared the top 25 wellness products they can’t live without in 2024. From mindfulness and stress-reduction tools to fitness gear and recovery aids, these products are designed to enhance your physical and mental health at home and at work.
Mindfulness and stress-reduction tools:
Ten Percent Happier
Incorporating mindfulness into your daily routine is a proven way to lower stress and anxiety. The Ten Percent Happier app, recommended by Morra Aarons-Mele, a public speaker on workplace mental health, offers guided audio meditations to help you center yourself and reduce stress. The app also provides resources for better sleep and increased energy.
The BestSelf Self Journal
The BestSelf Self Journal is not just an organizational planner but also a personal notebook that promotes gratitude and reflection. Dr. Nina Vasan, a clinical assistant professor of psychiatry, recommends this journal for setting goals and tracking progress on a monthly, weekly, and daily basis.
Insight Timer
Insight Timer, the Apple App Store’s top free meditation service, offers a wide selection of guided meditations for anxiety and stress relief. Liana Douillet Guzmán, CEO of Folx Health, praises the app for its thoughtfully curated mindfulness offerings, which have become a nightly bedtime ritual for her and her daughter.
The Five Minute Journal
Dr. Uché Blackstock, an emergency room physician, swears by The Five Minute Journal for daily reflections, affirmations, and manifestations. This journal, filled with prompts to be answered in just five minutes each day, helps cultivate a positive mindset and gratitude practice.
ACT Coach
For tracking emotions and managing negative thoughts, Morra Aarons-Mele recommends the ACT Coach app. Created by the Veterans Affairs National Center for PTSD, this app provides breathing exercises, mindfulness practices, and tools for coping with overwhelming emotions.
Gratitude Glass Jar
Practicing gratitude has numerous benefits, and the Gratitude Glass Jar helps make it a daily habit. Dr. Nina Vasan loves this jar, which prompts you to write down something you’re grateful for each day. Rereading these entries can provide a positive boost, and the jar can be used in creative ways to engage children in gratitude practices.
Enoki Cedar Candle by P.F. Candle Co.
Lighting a candle is a popular self-care ritual, and the Enoki Cedar Candle by P.F. Candle Co. is a favorite of Dora Kamau, a mindfulness and meditation teacher. The natural scents of this vegan, soy-based candle help create a calm and grounded atmosphere for meditation.
Fitness gear and tech:
Whoop
For data-driven individuals, the Whoop digital health-performance tool is a must-have. This wearable band and app track sleep, recovery, strain, stress, and personal habits, providing valuable insights for maintaining and improving overall health and wellness.
Future
Jahaan Ansari, cofounder and CTO at Gainful, loves using Future, a personal training platform that connects users with expert coaches. With personalized workout plans and exercise demos, Future helps individuals stay accountable and make progress towards their fitness goals.
Concept2 RowErg
When unable to make it to the gym, Bala Sarda, CEO of VAHDAM India, relies on the Concept2 RowErg for an intense at-home workout. Rowing is a full-body exercise that improves strength, endurance, and posture, and this connected machine provides real-time performance metrics.
Cloudultra 2 Running Shoes
Michael Chapp, the COO at Oura, recommends Cloudultra 2 running shoes for trail running. These comfortable and supportive shoes are perfect for all terrains and provide the necessary cushioning for a smooth running experience.
Recovery tools:
Fit King Upgraded Cordless Calf Massager
To improve blood flow and relax muscles, Biquan Luo, a biomedical scientist and CEO of LumosTech, swears by the Fit King Upgraded Cordless Calf Massager. This device has become an essential part of her routine, helping her recover after long hikes and hours spent at her desk.
Theragun Pro Plus
Joey Gonzalez, CEO of Barry’s, prioritizes muscle recovery with the Theragun Pro Plus massager. This percussive device combines vibration, heat, and cold therapy to relieve soreness and restore muscle strength. It also connects to an app for guided recovery sessions.
Plunge
Cold plunges have gained popularity as a self-care habit, and Jahaan Ansari, cofounder and CTO of Gainful, relies on The Plunge for its mental and physical benefits. This device helps him feel focused and confident, providing mental acuity to tackle the challenges of the day.
CranioCradle
To alleviate back and neck pain, Morra Aarons-Mele recommends the CranioCradle. This small block is placed under the head or neck to loosen up tight muscles and provide relief from headaches.
Pulsetto
Dorothy Kilroy, chief commercial officer at Oura, uses Pulsetto to stimulate her vagus nerve and manage stress. This device, worn around the neck, enhances heart rate variability and promotes relaxation through various programs available on the accompanying app.
Sleep:
Eight Sleep Pod Cover
The Eight Sleep Pod cover is an adjustable-temperature mattress cover designed to improve sleep quality. Rebecca Robbins, a sleep scientist at Harvard Medical School, and Kat Cole, president and COO at Athletic Greens, both rely on this product to keep their beds cool and optimize their sleep.
Somo Sleep Fitness Mask
To block out light and regulate circadian rhythm, Michael Chapp uses the Somo Sleep Fitness Mask. This comfortable mask promotes better sleep, especially when traveling, by minimizing disturbances and ensuring a restful night’s sleep.
Oura Ring
The Oura Ring, a top recommended brand, tracks sleep, stress, and activity data. Bala Sarda, CEO of VAHDAM India, and Dora Kamau, a mindfulness and meditation teacher, both use the Oura Ring to optimize their sleep and monitor the impact of daily activities on their rest.
Lavender Linen Spray
Dr. Nina Vasan incorporates lavender linen spray into her nighttime routine to promote better sleep. The comforting scent helps her relax and ensures a restful night’s sleep.
Nutrition:
NutriBullet Blender
The NutriBullet blender is a go-to for quick and nutritious smoothies. Bala Sarda relies on this blender for post-workout energy boosts, creating filling and healthy breakfasts in minutes.
Health tracking tools:
Tiny Health
Gut health is a hot topic, and Tiny Health offers a gut microbiome testing kit for families. Colleen Cutcliffe, a biochemist and CEO of Pendulum, recommends this kit for tracking and optimizing gut health for each family member.
Levels
Monitoring glucose levels can provide insights into the impact of food choices and activity levels on blood sugar. The Levels continuous glucose monitor (CGM) helps individuals understand their metabolic health and make informed decisions about their diet. Colleen Cutcliffe recommends this tool for optimizing metabolic health.
Family and caregiving tools:
GoodRx
GoodRx is a digital platform that helps patients compare drug prices and obtain coupons to reduce prescription costs. Dr. Nina Vasan regularly checks this platform to save money on prescriptions and ensure access to affordable medications.
Ameda Breast Pump
For breastfeeding mothers, the Ameda breast pump is a convenient and efficient tool. Biquan Luo praises this pump for its simplicity and compact design, making it easy to use while multitasking.
Conclusion:
As more Americans prioritize their health and well-being, these 25 wellness products recommended by experts offer valuable tools for physical and mental self-care. From mindfulness apps and fitness gear to recovery tools and sleep aids, these products can help individuals take control of their health and lead happier, more balanced lives. Whether it’s reducing stress, improving sleep quality, or optimizing fitness routines, these products provide the support needed to achieve wellness goals in 2024 and beyond.
