Calm Box Reviews: Do Stress-Relieving Subscription Boxes Work?

Calm Box Reviews: Do Stress-Relieving Subscription Boxes Really Work?

Life today is full of stress-inducing situations that can leave you feeling anxious, overwhelmed and emotionally drained. From work deadlines to family obligations, it can be difficult to press pause and actively calm and reset a frazzled nervous system.

This is why “calm boxes” have surged in popularity in recent years. Calm box subscriptions deliver monthly packages of products aimed at helping you destress and relax.

But do these curated boxes of stress-relieving goods really work? Or are they just another self-care fad? To find out, I tested and reviewed the top four calm box subscriptions on the market today.

What Exactly Are Calm Boxes?

Calm boxes provide monthly deliveries of products like teas, aromatherapy items, journals, cozy socks and other goods designed to promote relaxation and mindfulness.

Most calm box companies curate items around a theme that changes each month. The products are wrapped in tissue paper with an element of surprise and discovery when you open the box, similar to traditional subscription boxes.

In addition to physical items, calm boxes also provide access to digital content like guided meditations, yoga videos, mood tracking sheets, printable art and more. This content ties into that month’s theme and products.

The idea is that incorporating these self-care products and activities into your daily routine will help you carve out much-needed “me time” to de-stress and find your calm.

Potential Benefits of Calm Boxes

Why subscribe to a calm box service? There are a few key potential perks:

• Discover new stress-relief products and self-care ideas you may not find on your own.
• Provides motivation and monthly reminders to practice self-care.
• Introduces variety into your relaxation routine so it doesn’t become stale.
• Receiving a gift box feels special and promotes joy.
• Exposure to companies with a mindfulness focus.

Calm Box Options Reviewed

Dozens of companies now offer some version of the calm box concept. I decided to test boxes from four of the most popular subscription services focused specifically on stress relief and mindfulness.

Calmbox

The Basics: Calmbox was one of the first subscription calm box companies when it launched in 2017. They focus exclusively on calming themes and stress-relief products.

What’s Included: Each monthly Calmbox contains 5-8 self-care items aligned to that month’s theme like aromatherapy, yoga, or mental wellbeing. Previous boxes have included items like essential oil rollers, face masks, clay sculptures, adult coloring books, herbal tea samplers, citrine crystal stones and more.

Price: $34.99/month for standard subscription, or $49.99/month for premium subscription with increased product value.

My Experience: The geometric art on the Calmbox really appealed to my design sensibilities. Unpacking the tissue paper to discover each item felt exciting. The Chakra themed box really nailed the surprise and delight factor. I loved the mix of pampering and practical items. The essential oil roller and yoga cards got regular use long after the month ended. The journaling prompts also encouraged meaningful self-reflection. This box had me looking forward to the next month’s arrival.

Respyre Box

The Basics: Respyre Box focuses on promoting mindfulness, gratitude and happiness through monthly themed boxes.

What’s Included: Each month features 5-7 wellness products like teas, skincare items, candles, books, tech accessories and more fitting that month's theme. They also provide a happiness journal with prompts and activities.

Price: $35.95/month

My Experience: Respyre’s clean, minimalist packaging appealed to me right away. The products aligned nicely to the month’s “Find Joy” theme. The affirmation cards and 365 Happy Days journal with daily prompts encouraged me to find small moments of joy amid everyday stresses. This box was perhaps a little less decadent than some others, but the focus on gratitude and intentionality led me to appreciate the products even more. It delivered a quick mood boost each time I sat down with my tea or used the Daily Happy journal.

Anxiety Gone Box

The Basics: As the name suggests, this box focuses specifically on tools to manage anxiety.

What’s Included: Each monthly box contains 5-7 items to calm anxiety including things like teas, essential oils, journals, stress balls and self-care products. Members also get access to digital content like meditations.

Price: $34.99/month

My Experience: As someone who occasionally struggles with anxious feelings, I loved the targeted theme of this box. The tips for managing anxiety symptoms were so helpful - especially the grounding techniques card. Having items specifically designed to calm nerves made me more likely to actually use them when feeling anxious rather than just generally stressed. The fidget cube has become an office desk staple. While the lavender pillow mist wasn't anything fancy, spraying it on my pillow encouraged me to take a moment and engage my senses when I was feeling overwhelmed. The focus on anxiety management tools versus general pampering items gives this box an edge for those suffering from clinical anxiety.

TheraBox

The Basics: TheraBox aims to promote therapeutic self-care through monthly boxes filled with items to boost relaxation and mental health.

What’s Included: Each TheraBox includes 6-8 items to inspire wellbeing like bath bombs, home spa products, snacks, jewelry, journals and cozy items. It also provides digital content like printable worksheets.

Price: $44.95/month for initial 3 month subscription, or $39.95/month for longer 6 month subscriptions.

My Experience: With its bright colors and uplifting messaging, the TheraBox felt like receiving a personalized gift packed just for me each month. The indulgent bath products encouraged me to actually lock in relaxation time amid my busy schedule. And I loved having little treats like artisanal chocolates and snack bars to give me mini mood boosts during stressful workdays. If you want to feel pampered and cared for, this box delivers. My one critique is that the self-care products were almost too nice - I hated using them up!

How Do Calm Boxes Stack Up?

After testing calm boxes from four popular monthly subscription companies, here are some key takeaways when it comes to what these services get right and where they fall short.

The Good

• High quality curation: The companies put care into selecting items that align with each month’s theme and promote mindfulness.
• Thoughtful variety: Boxes strike a balance between indulgent self-care goods and practical tools for relaxation.
• Surprise factor: You don’t know exactly what each month’s box will contain, which adds an element of joyful anticipation.
• Encourages self-care: Having box arrive monthly motivates you to actually use the products.

The Less Good

• Cost: Around $35 per month, the boxes come at a premium price point. The value is there but could be prohibitive for some.
• Product accumulation: Getting new relaxation products every month leads to clutter without mindful consumption.
• Consistency varies: While curation is thoughtful overall, some months’ items feel more cohesive than others.
• Difficulty canceling: Many require multi-month commitments. Cancelling or skipping months takes effort.

Who Are Calm Boxes Best Suited For?

After testing a variety of calm box subscriptions, I found they are best suited for certain demographics and personality types.

Who Will Love Calm Boxes

• Those with high self-care awareness who prioritize relaxation.
• People who feel motivated by receiving gifts versus buying items themselves.
• Anyone seeking new ways to reduce daily stress and anxiety.
• Those who struggle with consistency in their self-care routines and need reminders.
• People who enjoy pampering themselves with “me-time” activities and treats.
• Individuals dealing with physical or mental health conditions worsened by stress.
• Anyone with a busy, hectic schedule needing to purposefully schedule in downtime.

Who May Be Underwhelmed

• Pragmatists who prefer buying exactly what relaxation items they need.
• Minimalists who don’t enjoy additional clutter from monthly boxes.
• People seeking substantial behavior change versus quick stress relief.
• Those with limited budgets or inability to pay premium box costs.
• Anyone who quickly loses interest in new hobbies or self-care techniques.

Tips for Choosing the Right Calm Box For You

With the variety of calm box options available, deciding on one can feel overwhelming ironically. Use these tips to determine which style of box best fits your personality and needs.

Consider Your Stress Style

Do you deal mainly with anxiety? Physical tension? Burnout? Choose a box catered to your stress style like Anxiety Gone Box or Muscle Meditation Box.

Assess Your Interests

Do you love aromatherapy or yoga? Check out subscription calming options with those themes so you’ll use the products.

Compare Curation Philosophy

Some boxes favor pampering, while others focus on gratitude practices or mental health tools. Know what mindset you want boxes to cultivate.

Read Detailed Reviews

Go beyond the company’s own marketing descriptions to read realistic subscriber reviews about their experiences before committing.

Start With Shorter Subscriptions

Many services offer 1 or 3 month options. Test a shorter subscription first before signing up long term.

Watch for Discounts

Companies often run specials for first time subscribers. Only sign up at full price if the box truly speaks to you.

The Bottom Line on Calm Boxes

Do calm box subscriptions live up to their promise of lowering stress and promoting mindfulness? After testing popular options myself, I can conclude...

Yes, calm boxes can be powerful tools when used intentionally.

Simply receiving a box filled with relaxing items once a month won’t drastically decrease your stress levels on its own. You have to purposefully incorporate those items and practices into your routines.

But with consistent use, calm boxes provide new avenues to take self-care breaks, refocus your mindset and manage stress. If you know you benefit from “me-time” yet struggle to prioritize yourself, a subscription box service can provide helpful motivation and tools.

Ultimately, it comes down to honestly assessing your own personality and self-care tendencies. If you need help carving out downtime and enjoy material pampering, calm boxes check those boxes. But none will radically reshape your stress levels overnight on their own.

While pricier than shopping for relaxation items yourself, calm boxes deliver curated quality while saving you time and mental energy. With mindful consumption, they can enhance daily wellbeing and self-care.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.