#SaneGirlEra: 6 mental health products worth knowing about (and where to find them)

We’re increasingly intentional about the things we use to look after ourselves, from fitness trackers to skincare routines, but our mental wellbeing often gets treated as an afterthought.

Many patients ask me about how they can find mental health essentials that would help them in their day-to-day life—whether that’s tracking their mood and thoughts, being more mindful of their feelings, or simply keeping a log of things they may want to notice over time. These tools can help you become more aware of what’s going on internally and, in some cases, create a little more calm in your day.

Long before apps and essential oils, people still needed ways to cope with a hard day: a walk, a journal, a trusted friend. What’s changed isn’t the need; it’s the shelf. Today, that same instinct gets sold back to us as a product, sometimes for good reason, sometimes just because it makes for good marketing.

Here’s a practical breakdown of five categories worth knowing, what they actually do, and where to look if you want to try one, including options that are easy to find in India.

Guided journals

Journaling is one of the best-studied low-cost tools for reducing rumination and processing emotion. Guided journals, with structured prompts rather than blank pages, can also be easier to stick with, especially for beginners. For an accessible option, The Ink Bucket is an Indian brand with well-made undated planners and notebooks, including thick-paper options that work well for daily journaling and reflection. Another great option is Humanhood, which offers journals designed specifically around mental wellness themes such as de-stressing, gratitude, and self-reflection, with some developed with input from therapists.

Chumbak and Archies also stock affordable guided journals and mood diaries in stores across most Indian cities, if you'd rather browse in person before buying. Local bookstores and stationery shops almost always carry a "guided journal" section, worth flipping through the prompts before you commit to one. Mindbrush is a very effective wellness journal with meaningful prompts to pause, dive deeper, and discover a few things about yourself. It’s a nice, simple way to brush your mind like you brush your teeth daily.

Essential oils (lavender, specifically)

Of the essential oils marketed for calm and stress relief, lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) has the strongest evidence behind it, with some research suggesting modest improvements in anxiety and sleep quality. Citrus blends and products marketed as “calming” tend to have less research behind them.

When shopping, don’t be swayed by labels that simply say “therapeutic grade”—the term isn’t regulated or independently verified. Instead, look for brands that publish third-party testing, ideally GC/MS reports, for individual batches. Internationally, Plant Therapy, Aura Cacia, Eden’s Garden and Rocky Mountain Oils are often noted for their transparency, while independent organisations such as ConsumerLab also periodically test essential oils for purity.

In India, Forest Essentials and Kama Ayurveda are established premium options with an Ayurveda-led approach, while Soulflower offers a more accessible range and an Ecocert -certified lavender oil. VedaOils and Aroma Magic are also widely available at more affordable price points. Whichever brand you choose, check the label for the Latin name Lavandula angustifolia and, where possible, a batch-specific certificate of analysis before buying.

Meditation apps

Structured meditation apps can make a famously difficult habit easier to start, offering guided sessions, reminders and progress tracking. Research suggests that regular meditation can lead to modest reductions in stress, although consistency matters more than the app itself.

Headspace is a good starting point for beginners, with structured courses and programmes focused on areas such as anxiety. Calm is particularly strong on sleep, thanks to its Sleep Stories and wind-down content, while Insight Timer offers one of the largest free libraries, making it a good choice if you want variety without immediately paying for a subscription.

Most apps offer free trials, so it’s worth trying a couple before committing to an annual plan. Wysa is also worth a mention: the India-built mental wellness app combines mood tracking, CBT-based tools and guided mindfulness in an anonymous, chatbot-style format, with a Hindi option available. InnerHour, another India-based app, combines mood and goal tracking with self-care programmes and guided exercises.

Weighted blankets

Weighted blankets work through deep-pressure stimulation, creating a firm, even sensation that some people find soothing when they’re anxious or struggling to settle into sleep. The evidence is still developing, but early research suggests they may help improve sleep quality for some people.

Internationally, Gravity Blanket, YnM and Bearaby are among the better-known options, with Bearaby standing out for its chunky-knit design without traditional glass-bead filling. In India, weighted blankets remain a relatively niche category, although brands such as The White Willow and Wakefit offer heavier or weighted options through their own websites and online marketplaces.

A common starting point is a blanket weighing around 10 per cent of your body weight, although comfort and individual preference matter too. If you’re buying online, pay attention to the filling: glass beads and plastic pellets can feel quite different, and check the washing instructions before you commit.

Mood-tracking apps

Mood tracking can be useful for turning vague feelings into patterns you can actually see. Logging your mood alongside things such as sleep, exercise or socialising may help you spot connections you might otherwise miss, whether that’s feeling noticeably lower after a poor night’s sleep or recognising that certain routines consistently lift your mood.

Daylio is a particularly easy place to start because its icon-based system lets you log your mood and activities without having to write anything. Its free version covers the basics, while premium adds features such as advanced statistics, backups and an ad-free experience. How We Feel is another strong option if you want to keep things completely free: it was developed with input from psychologists and has no premium tier or ads.

Wysa combines mood tracking with journaling and basic CBT-based tools, while InnerHour offers mood and goal tracking alongside broader self-care modules. Both are useful if you want your mood tracker to do a little more than simply record how you felt that day.

The good news is that you don’t need to pay to get started. Daylio’s free version and How We Feel both offer enough functionality to build a consistent mood-tracking habit before deciding whether you need anything more.

Quick note before you shop

None of these products is a substitute for professional care. They're best thought of as supports—small tools that can make daily life a little more manageable alongside, not instead of, therapy or medical treatment when that's what's actually needed. If you're not sure which of these (if any) is worth trying, start with the cheapest, lowest-commitment option in a category that interests you before investing in a premium version.

Sane Girl Era is our column featuring psychologist Meghna Karia, who pens down her expert advice to help Cosmo readers find solace and sanity amidst the chaos.

Meghna Karia is a psychologist, psychotherapist, and mental health trainer, trained and certified in REBT from the Albert Ellis Institute. She specialises in treating addiction, eating disorders, anxiety, relationship concerns, corporate stress, and existential crises.

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