May’s Top 13: Design Good for Our “Mental” Health

It’s Mental Health Awareness Month, a month dedicated to sharing resources to raise awareness and acceptance of mental health. An essential step in improving mental health is prioritizing self-care. Whether through meditation, exercise, sleep, eating well, journaling or being in nature, wellness can be practiced in many ways. Here’s how our team focuses on self-care and maintains positive mental health this month and year round, and as always, with a nod to great design.

Dava’s Picks: Founder and Chief Creative Officer 

• Whether for sleep, anxiety or relaxation the Calm app has an enormous inventory and my go-to when needing some stress reduction and mindfulness. In addition to recording stats, it also allows you to track your mood over time.
  IG: @calm
• I find coloring meditative and there’s no better coloring book than Fantastic Cities. Featuring gorgeous aerial views of cities from around the world, it’s the perfect activity when I need to relax and take a break.
  IG: @chroniclebooks
• Chill the F*ck out Tea  – awesome name, excellent product. Whenever I need some stress relief I slow down with a mug of this delicious herbal tea.
  IG: @twiggybitsherbals
  

Andre’s Picks: Associate Creative Director 

• Based on the ancient principles of Tai Chi, the Pause app helps visual people like myself start practicing mindfulness. By slowly and continuously moving your fingertip across the screen it’s an interactive tool to quickly regain focus and release stress,
  IG: @apple
• Journaling and writing can help ease the mind and fulfill our creative sides. Magma Sketchbooks are designed with useful prompts and tools to encourage the process without interfering with creative freedom.
  IG: @laurencekingpub

Haley’s Picks: Creative Project Manager

• Essential oils have tons of benefits to help with calmness and relaxation. I love adding them into my daily routine, particularly these aromatherapy roll-ons from Saje Wellness.
  IG: @sajewellness
  

Caity’s Picks: Creative Project Manager

• Sleep and physical activity are central to our overall well being and mental health. I love the Oura Ring for its ability to track and optimize these habits and stay in tune with your body’s needs. It gets bonus points from me for a sleek design that blends in with the rest of your everyday jewelry.
  IG: @ouraring
• I recently discovered Vybes, a CBD packed beverage with low calorie and sugar content. It’s hydrating, delicious and a great way to drink something that will soothe anxiety without the toxins of alcohol. Plus, the packaging is well designed and sustainable.
  IG: @idrinkvybes

Suzanne’s Picks: Operations Leader

• Getting outdoors and spending time in green (and blue) spaces helps me feel better both physically and psychologically. Every week I choose a new spot to visit using AllTrails. With a deep inventory of beautifully hand-curated maps, it’s brought my nature bathing to a whole new level.
  IG: @alltrails

Elaine’s Picks: Designer 

• Asians for Mental Health offers a directory of Asian and Pacific Islander therapists aimed to normalize and de-stigmatize mental health within the AAPI community. Founder Dr Jenny Wong created it to help Asians feel seen, heard and empowered in their journeys towards better mental wellness.
  IG: @asiansformentalhealth

Zili’s Picks: Designer 

• Happify is a mental health app that offers a variety of evidence-based tools and exercises to help users improve their emotional wellbeing. Their design is playful and colorful, with a focus on creating a positive and uplifting experience.
  IG: @twill_happify

Xiaoxiao’s Picks: Junior Designer 

• Israeli designer Yaara Nusboim collaborated with child psychologists and developed a series of wooden toys, Alma, that can help kids process difficult or repressed emotions as part of the therapeutic process.
  IG: @yaara_nusboim

Sol’s Picks: Junior Designer 

• The Calm Milk Chocolate Supplement from Good Day Chocolate is made from all natural ingredients blended to tame tension and relieve anxiety. Made from a blend of amino acids, chamomile and magnesium into a fair trade milk chocolate, a couple of these are incredibly helpful when I’m feeling a little extra anxious. They also have supplements to help with energy, sleep, dosages for kids and they’re delicious!
  IG: @gooddaychocolate

As always, if you’d like to collaborate with us, we would love to hear from you! Please reach out to info@noise13.com to connect.