Taking care of your mental health can sometimes feel like a chore. It's important to find ways to care for yourself that you enjoy. Habits are more easily formed when you are having a good time doing them.
While sitting here blowing my nose and suffering, I decided to make a nice list of recs for when you're sick and struggling! Maybe you'll find something to get you out of the funk!
Okay, real talk: I am the person who used to shove everything first-aid into one tangled carrier bag and then panic when someone actually needed a plaster. Last winter I finally sat down — after a long evening when I could not find a clean bandage for a small cut on a cold, dark walk home — and built the kit I wish I had already had. This is that kit, split into what stays at home, what goes in the car or bag, and the little extras that stop a small winter mishap turning into a miserable evening. It is for the people I look after, for cold pavements, icy steps, dry cracked hands and all the tiny scrapes that winter seems to bring. Keep the home box stocked, keep the travel pouch topped up, and check the dates before the cold really bites. This is general guidance from my own experience, not a substitute for your own doctor or dentist.
After having Gastric Bypass Surgery (RnY) in 2010 I had to adjust to my body's needs, changes in food tolerances, and most of all daily supplementation. If you are pre or post surgery, here are the items I have used or currently using. Change it up.
Most shoes today are too narrow and unhealthy for your feet. Wearing minimalistic shoes, going barefoot when possible, doing toe stretches, and wearing toe socks can help promote foot health. Here are a list of things my family and I have/use/want to promote healthy feet and some articles about the benefits of walking barefoot.
Real perimenopause solutions from someone who's living it. After a year working with a functional medicine doctor, these are the products and resources that transformed my sleep, mood, and energy during perimenopause.
I put together this list of recommendations, and then I got sick—oh, the irony! 😅 The best way I’ve found to avoid getting sick is to stay ahead of it: wash your hands regularly, use hand sanitizer, take your vitamins, and eat healthy meals. But sometimes, no matter what you do, the bug still gets you. If there’s one tip you take from this list, let it be the tea, honey, and lemon concoction—it’s been an absolute lifesaver for me!
I’ve been a nurse for about 3 years and have tried so many different things! I’m here to share my tried and true products for all my nursing girlies out there🥰
The outdoors are only fun if you aren't getting bitten alive or burnt to a crisp. If you're anything like me, not only are you worried about about the sun and those pesky bugs, but you think its important to know which chemicals you're putting on your family's skin! I have done research and testing with my own herd and here are the products I like the best.
Recovering from a C-section? These must-have products will help make healing more comfortable and stress-free. From belly support to skincare and everyday essentials, here’s everything you’ll be glad to have on hand during recovery!
If you’re someone who feels winter deeply (not just in your body, but in your mind and mood) these are the small, practical things that help me get through it, year after year.
Practical products that can make caring for an aging parent a little safer, simpler, and less overwhelming. From bathroom safety and medication organization to everyday items you don’t realize you need until you need them. I’m focusing on useful finds that help older adults maintain independence while making life easier for the people who love and care for them.
Perimenopause starts earlier than you think and lasts longer than you want to know. It will make you sweat at night, get overheated for no reason, gain weight that refuses to come off and struggle to sleep. If you have any symptoms that started mysteriously and you're older than 40 (and sometimes even younger), there's a good chance it's menopause-related (ever had vertigo?)! Here are some things that have helped me along my perimenopause coping journey. Get comfortable, it's going to be about ten years.
I have been battling stage 2b breast cancer for almost 1 year now. I checked with my doctors to see what I could take to keep my body in the best shape possible to fight. Check with your doctor too, but these are the things in my house that I take daily!
I’ve been on a health journey since May 2024 and so far I’m down 50lbs. Going for 100! These are the things that keep me on track and help me reach my goals! This list contains affiliate links.
I have a big goal to lose 100 pounds. I'm getting older and if I don't get control of my weight now, it's only going to get more difficult. This is a collection of items that I'm organizing to help me on my weight loss journey. I hope that they will be helpful to you as well.
Ragweed starts up in mid August and by the first week of school both of my kids are sneezing through homework. This is what actually earned a spot in our house after a few seasons of trial and error, with the honest annoyance of each one included. If you are in Columbus, Albuquerque, Sandy Springs, or anywhere across the Midwest where the pollen count spikes right as school starts, this is the stuff I would buy again.
This section contains all products that I find to be helpful not only for my counseling clients, but for myself. I use these products all the time to create that zen feeling at home, and it works like a charm.
Super sensitive celiac here! Don’t come at me with the “you can’t have symptoms if you don’t digest it.” Because trust me you can and this is how i’ve saved myself!
When I was consistent with these vitamins, my cycle was actually on schedule. At have had irregular periods for a few years now (I’m 36.) we just conceived! (6 months of trying but only our first try with the app and tests!
A curated lineup of gentle daily staples, plant-based proteins, clean hydration drinks, and clean-ingredient supplements. This field-tested collection features my go-to Orgain pea protein, MaryRuth's liquid vitamins, IQBars, and Bai drinks to support steady energy, focus, and daily well-being.
Staying fit when you're going through perimenopause or have already hit the menopause stage can be tough. Hormones can make it harder to maintain weight, hot flashes can make workouts less bearable, and your skin can become more dry. Not to worry - there are lots of ways that we can maintain our health with the help of some of my favorite products I've shared here.
New mothers face an overwhelming recovery period—managing physical healing, hormonal shifts, sleep deprivation, and emotional adjustment simultaneously. The right postpartum products aren't luxuries; they're investments in your physical healing, emotional wellbeing, and the ability to show up for your family when you're barely holding it together. This curated list focuses on clinically-proven, high-quality solutions that reduce recovery time, prevent complications, and support the mental health journey most postpartum mothers desperately need but rarely prioritize for themselves.
Little has struggled with severe constipation and withholding basically her entire life and as such this has led us to try ALL the tips and tricks. Here are the things that have actually been helpful.
Period cramps hit and you're curled up on the couch, popping ibuprofen like candy, waiting 45 minutes for it to maybe kick in. I spent years doing that before I built out this lineup of roll-ons, patches, and targeted relief that actually works fast. This is for anyone who wants to skip the pill bottle and still function like a human on day one of their cycle. Took me a lot of trial and error so you can skip straight to what works.
If you've ever shifted in your chair at work because your pad felt like a diaper, or skipped your favorite leggings on your period because the bulk was obvious, this is for you. I spent way too many cycles testing thin pads, overnight pads, and everything in between so you can skip the trial-and-error phase. Grab what works before your next cycle sneaks up on you.
Sleep is VERY important for me. These are the things I take and do to make me basically unconscious every single night and wake up feeling refreshed. These also help with cellular recovery overnight
Nobody prepares you for what your body goes through after delivery. The bleeding, the soreness, the night sweats, the crying in the bathroom because sitting down hurts. I spent my first week home frantically ordering things I should have had ready. This is the list I would hand to any pregnant friend so she can skip the panic and focus on the baby instead.
Resources for supporting feminine care and wellness. As women we are navigating through many changes in our physical wellness journey that play a huge role in how we feel & think. These are some of my favorite ways to support the needs of my body.
Fresh, minty smelling breath. Fight plaque off. Prevent gingivitis. && get Whiter teeth with this routine. I get compliments every time I go to the dentist about how “taken care if” my oral health is. I stand by this routine.
As a girly with cormorbidities🩹 my room needs a couple essentials to make it functional and easy to manage my symptoms and live a life worth living. Here you’ll find my top favorites to set the best vibe✨
As a nurse practitioner who does VA Compensation & Pension exams, these are the free resources I point veterans and their families to. Where to file a claim, get free help from an accredited rep, check your health care options, and find crisis and caregiver support. You never have to pay to file a VA claim. #veterans #vaclaims #vabenefits #veteransupport #militaryfamilies
A curated bedroom reset for anxious sleepers, racing-mind sleepers, and anyone who wishes falling asleep felt easier. Sleep optimization essentials I trust — magnesium and aromatherapy for wind-down, blackout curtains and sunrise alarm clocks for a darker room, cooling sheets and a weighted blanket for a softer landing, plus small upgrades that help your nervous system slow down. Every pick is US-available.
A sleep mask is a small thing that makes a nice gift or a good travel habit. These are the ones I'd pick, from silk to contoured. Links may earn me a commission at no extra cost to you.
Sitting or standing all day at a remote job causes physical burnout, lower back ache, and repetitive strain. This curated list focuses on high-impact, problem-solving ergonomic tools to fix posture, eliminate joint strain, and maintain focus throughout 8+ hour workdays.
Need help staying consistent with your New Year’s resolutions? Girl, me too! Here’s a curated list of all the new things I am trying on the path to a better me 🤍 Join along!
When someone you care about is stuck in bed miserable, sending a generic fruit basket feels lazy and a plain card feels empty. I started putting together my own get well kits with soup, tea, honey, tissues, and cozy extras after my best friend got the flu and told me my care package was the only thing that got her through it. Here's exactly what I pack, all from one shopping trip, so you can build one before your friend's next sick day hits.
I've compiled a list of what got me through 3 c-sections. And btw, the best tip I can give you?
It’s something money can’t buy and nothing on this list can replace: it's walking. Get up and WALK as soon as they get you up for the bathroom that first time. No marathons, nothing crazy, just movement. Little by little, more and more each day.
That said, in addition to moving your body, these are the must-haves that actually help while you’re healing (because waddling around in mesh underwear isn’t the vibe). From belly bands to miracle undies, this guide is here to make recovery a little less brutal.
Lying in bed staring at the ceiling at 2 AM while your brain replays every awkward conversation from 2014. If that sounds familiar, welcome to my former life. I spent two years testing pillow sprays, white noise gadgets, and bedtime rituals until I built a lineup that actually knocks me out. This is for anyone who's tired of being tired, and it took me long enough to figure out so you really don't have to.
A collection of items that make living with Interstital Cystitis as comfortable as can be. I know IC is absolute suffering and I hope that some of my suggestions can benefit even one other IC baddie. Stay strong, lovies. Please bare in mind, IC varies greatly depending on the individual and their circumstances! What works for me may not work for you and vice versa. Stay patient with your body and do what works for you, just you. Hoping this helps some of you who may be struggling!!
Shop my favourite chronic pain essentials! From heat therapy and pain relief to recovery tools and self-care products, these are the items I personally use to help manage endometriosis, chronic back pain, and daily pain
Lying in bed staring at the ceiling for two hours every night wrecked my mornings for years. I tried melatonin, white noise apps, even that banana tea hack from TikTok. Nothing stuck until I built a whole sleep ritual around the right diffuser, the right oils, and a few other things that knocked me out cold. This is for anyone who dreads bedtime because they know they'll just be awake overthinking. Took me 14 months of trial and error so you can skip straight to sleeping.
Whether you're starting from scratch or looking to revamp your routine, the right tools can make all the difference in building lasting fitness habits. This curated list features essential equipment for workouts, supplements to fuel your progress, and random miscellaneous tools that remove common barriers to staying active. From beginner-friendly basics to game-changing accessories, these recommendations will help you create a sustainable, enjoyable path to better health!
That moment when your chest tightens in a meeting, or you're sitting in traffic and your brain won't stop spiraling. I spent two years sniffing random bottles at stores before landing on a system that actually calms me down in under five minutes. This is for the person who wants something in their bag, on their desk, or on the nightstand that works faster than waiting for tea to steep. Grabbed every one of these after too many overwhelmed-at-2pm afternoons.
I am not big on drinking water. My 12 year old absolutely hates it. My relative with dementia struggles to drink enough fluids. These are products that help make hydration easier for all of us.
Is your little one's skin a constant battle with eczema? I've been there, and I know the struggle. This is my curated list of products that have actually worked wonders on my son's sensitive skin. From soothing creams to gentle cleansers, these are the dermatologist-recommended heroes we can't live without—all tried, tested, and approved by a real mama!
Say goodbye to endless searching and hello to happy, calm skin!
Digging through your bag at the grocery store entrance while people wait behind you is its own special kind of panic. If you carry sanitizer but can never find it when your hands are sticky, greasy, or just touched a gas pump handle, this lineup is for people who want one-pump access without unzipping anything. Took me way too long to figure out what actually clips on and stays on.
Sniffle survival guide? I think yes. Hello flu and allergy season, you've met your match. Here are the essentalls I have stocked in my house at all times and I honestly couldn't live without.
Health and wellness have become my entire world. As a mom of 4 with a full-time job, I need to be ready to take on the day. I share what works for my family and I, so you can feel great too.
That tight, uncomfortable feeling after literally every meal got old fast. I spent a year cycling through probiotics, digestive enzymes, and gut health supplements before landing on a lineup that actually made a difference. If you're the person who has to unbutton your jeans after lunch at your desk, this is the list I wish someone handed me twelve months ago.
Flowers die in three days and stuffed bears just collect dust. When someone you care about is recovering from surgery, an illness, or a rough hospital stay, you want to send something they'll actually use. I spent weeks putting together combos after my sister's knee surgery because nothing on the shelf felt right. Here's what I landed on so you don't have to scramble last minute.
Lying in bed at 2am doing math about how many hours of sleep you'll get if you fall asleep RIGHT NOW. Melatonin made me groggy the next day and never actually fixed the problem. This is the full nighttime lineup I built, from supplements to skincare to pillow mists, that trained my brain to wind down. Built for the person who has tried everything and still stares at the ceiling. Took me eight months of bad sleep to figure this out so you don't have to.
I am not a doc and this is not medical advice! These are just the things that have kept our house from complete chaos in the 2 weeks my 4yo had Hands Foot and Mouth disease
I'm always battling with my weight. I'm a foodie and I enjoy cooking and entertaining. Every few years, I have that 20 pounds that I need lose and this is how I do it. I especially love the Vibrating Plate that is on the list.
meet your smile’s new clean up crew. these products freshen breath, whiten teeth, and help you pretend you floss way more than you do. these are easy to use, gentle on your mouth, and keep your teeth looking the best it can. these all work so great for me and i highly recommend each one :)
These things have saved me so much time and headache when it comes to my oral care during braces and a MARPE expander. 🦷 I genuinely use and love each and every product on this curated list!
A wide range of products that have helped with pregnancy symptoms, or made life a lot easier! From slip on shoes to protein hacks, these items have saved me and are things I truly, truly recommend for anyone who is expecting!
I’ve worked nearly a decade of nursing under a wide variety of hospital settings (neuro/trauma ICU, CVICU, step down, medsurg, telemetry). 🏥🩺🦠🚑
This is a growing list of my absolute essentials for new grads and experienced RNs, LPNs, CNAs, any healthcare worker.
Day or night shift - I’ve done both and have a specific list just for you, my brave full moon working babes. 🌕🐺
It's been a literal decade since I've been so close to my ‘ideal’ weight. I'm locking in and tracking my food, increasing my exercise, and having fun with all this.
As a health-conscious doctor, I’m always looking for healthy ways to get enough protein. This list includes my favorite high-protein foods, supplements, and go-to snacks that make it easier to reach daily goals while keeping meals balanced and satisfying. Perfect for anyone who wants to boost their protein intake.
This list has so many great items for both physical and mental Self-Care. From staying hydrated so you can take good care of your body, to books with ideas, and products to pamper yourself. I hope it helps and I hope you find something to snag up and take care of yourself. Take a self care moment and enjoy.
As one of my mom’s caregivers, I wanted to create a list of the ALS caregiving products, mobility aids, respiratory equipment, comfort items, and daily living tools that have genuinely helped her. These recommendations come from her physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, social workers, doctors, and our own experience caring for her at home. We have tried many products that did not work for her, so I am only including items she has actually used and found helpful. ALS is a progressive disease, and a person’s needs can change over time, so not every item will be appropriate for every stage or every patient. However, everything included on this list made a meaningful difference for my mom at some point in her ALS journey. Sending lots of love to all persons with ALS and caregivers of people with ALS. I am hopeful that there will be a cure one day. ***As with anything on Benable, I earn a very small royalty from purchases made here, but I wouldn't recommend anything I haven't bought for my own mom. This platform just seemed like a great method for sharing recommendations! Any money I earn here goes right back into supporting my mom***
Long 12-hour nursing shifts can be physically and mentally demanding but the right tools and products can make a world of difference. In this post, I've curated a list of must-have nursing essentials designed to support you through those long hours on your feet. From comfortable shoes and compression socks to time-saving gadgets and wellness items, each product is nurse-tested and shift-approved.
The week before a period is its own season, and it deserves its own little kit instead of a scramble through the medicine cabinet. This is a tasteful, non-medical PMS and period comfort self-care list: warmth you can wear, calming teas, a long soak, cozy layers, good chocolate and a few gentle skincare picks for breakout-prone days. Stock it once and it is ready every month.
These are products I trust and use in my day-to-day life. I care about what I put it in my body and gravitate towards effective & high quality supplements! This curated list features the best 1st Phorm supplements for women who lift weights and prioritize strength, recovery, and overall wellness. These products support muscle recovery, energy, performance, and daily nutrition for active lifestyles.
I've lived with HS for over 10 years, and these are the products that I actually rely on during flares and daily management. This list focuses on pain relief, drainage control, friction reduction, and comfort- especially budget-friendly options that truly help.
I’m a bedside nurse sharing the items that genuinely make long shifts easier, more comfortable, and more organized. These are products I personally use, recommend, or think are actually worth the money. If it’s on this list, it helped me survive a shift at some point.
Mum of 3 , Living with fibromyalgia often feels like your nervous system has the volume turned all the way up—widespread pain, deep fatigue, and brain fog that nobody else can see. I put this list together to share the practical tools, gentle relief aids, and daily essentials that actually help me navigate flares and make life manageable. Hope it brings some comfort to your journey!
Your guide to non-toxic summer must-haves ☀️✨From clean sunscreen and safer skincare to healthy snacks, summer essentials, and everyday favorites for the whole family — these are the products I actually use and love for a safer, simpler summer. Perfect for beach days, pool days, travel, and everything in between. 🌿
This list is packed with practical new grad nurse essentials that I actually use or used on shift. From gear that keeps you comfortable and organized to tools that help you feel confident at the bedside. Perfect for nurses starting their first job or building their “all things nursing” starter pack.
if you’re deep in a healing season, this curated list is for you 💚it is a collection of natural products that support nervous system regulation, energy recovery, and mental clarity. these are the staples i reach for when working on reducing anxiety, healing adrenal fatigue, improving iron absorption, easing brain fog, achieving a calmer baseline, and supporting gut health without overwhelming my body.you’ll find: 🌿 natural supplements for low iron and chronic fatigue🌿 gut-healing support for bloating, inflammation, and poor digestion🌿 nervous system regulation tools for reducing anxiety and stress🌿 clean energy boosters that don’t spike and crash🌿 brain fog and focus support for better cognitive claritythis isn’t a random wellness roundup… it’s a tightly edited list built around one goal: supporting a dysregulated nervous system and helping your body feel safe again.as someone that is challenged by generalised anxiety, panic disorder, and agoraphobia, it is a list i wish i had when sh*% hit the fan!so if you're trying to feel like yourself again and you’ve been searching things like “how to increase energy naturally,” “best supplements for adrenal fatigue,” “natural anxiety support,” “gut health for mental clarity,” or “how to lower cortisol levels” — start here, it's a good place to begin 💚
I have lost 47 pounds in 8 months by eating in a calorie deficit and eating high protein on a GLP-1. I struggle with PCOS and insulin resistance. These are some items have helped me maximize my weight loss routines.