MindWander is a monthly mental wellness subscription box that delivers self-care items and therapy-inspired workbooks to boost mental health. Created by a psychologist/therapist, each box is centered on science-based strategies that aim to improve stress, anxiety, sleep, self-confidence, positive mindset, and more.
There are two subscription options: MindWander Box for $39.99/month and MindWander Mini for $19.99/month.
This is a review of the MindWander Box for $39.99/month + shipping.
My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
About MindWander Box
The Subscription Box: MindWander
The Cost: $39.99 per month + $5 shipping. Save with longer subscriptions.
ACTIVE DEAL: Start a free 3-day trial! No coupon needed - just use this link.
The Products: An assortment of bath and body, lifestyle, and novelty items, along with a specially designed mini-workbook aimed to decrease stress and anxiety and improve overall wellbeing. Monthly boxes focus on a coping skill based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) while the mini-workbook helps you learn and apply the skill.
Ships to: The U.S.
Good to Know: Your first box always ships around the 4th of the following month.
MindWander "Merry & Bright" December 2019 Review
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"Merry & Bright" Mini-Workbook - Listed Value $5.00
In lieu of an info card, this month's item descriptions are printed on the first few pages of the mini-workbook. There is also a welcome statement from clinical psychologist Dr. Sarah. She briefly introduces the workbook and explains that the included strategies are grounded in a science-based therapy called cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Let's dive into the content! This month's topics are (1) identifying and adjusting expectations, (2) setting priorities, and (3) practicing mindfulness. The workbook is divided into sections and doesn't have to be completed in order, although I'm not sure if this is true for every month.
I started with identifying and adjusting expectations. The workbook seemed intimidating at first, but after sitting down with it, I admit I was drawn to the pages. I find that Dr. Sarah has a soothing, compassionate literary voice. The first topic is all about developing expectations for ourselves and for others so that we don't feel disappointed when our expectations aren't met. Her words might be especially compelling for someone who is feeling overwhelmed during the holiday season and isn't quite sure how to start navigating all that life stress. I have trouble with this myself--as a graduate student, I always set myself large academic goals and expect to meet them by the end of the semester. When I don't meet my expectations a part of me feels like a failure. The workbook guides me through such a thought exercise and helps me adjust my expectations.
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"Merry & Bright" Challenge Card Pack - Listed Value $5.00
This pack of 30 cards is meant to encourage you to do a "challenge" activity every day. The activities include practicing mindfulness, sleep hygiene, gratitude, and self-care. Some challenges even have a date on them so that you can practice together with the MindWander community on social media. I don't make full use of Facebook community groups, but I can see how this would be super helpful for others. When it comes to learning skills and coping strategies from a workbook, just simply reading it is not enough--you have to practice that skill regularly. Joining a community of like-minded people would make that process more motivating, plus you get accountability partners. I keep these cards at my desk. Even if I don't do a challenge activity every day, I'll use them when I need a pick-me-up.
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Fa La La La La Llama Notepad - Listed Value $5.00
This goofy looking llama made me giggle. Look at the tufts coming out of its ears! And that smug face! The notepad has a magnetic back so it will hang out on my fridge for jotting down grocery lists.
Holiday Socks - Listed Value $4.00
Part of self care is to make sure your own needs are being met. Well, one of my persistent needs is warmth. My hands and feet are always icy cold during these winter months, so I was very appreciative of getting socks. It's made from a polyester/nylon/spandex blend. Unfortunately, I'm not big on crew socks, so this pair will be passed on to a festive friend.
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Amaretto & Nutmeg Candle by Happy Little Flame, 3 oz - Retail Value $10.00
True to its description, this candle smells like a warm, buttery blend of vanilla, almond, and nutmeg. It is absolutely scrumptious. Creamy vanilla is the strongest note, followed by almond and nutmeg. It is the perfect candle to use when I'm reading a book while cozied up on the couch.
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String Wire Lights - Listed Value $10.00
These are wire lights in the shape of tiny stars. The wire lights alone measure about 40 inches long. The lights require 3 AA batteries, which are not included. Imagine my shock (no pun intended) when it looked like the whole thing was made of exposed copper wire. I nervously convinced my partner to touch the copper wire while it was on (he found my anxiety amusing) and was relieved that he didn't get electrocuted. Safety testing success! The workbook recommends placing the lights in a place dedicated to self care.
For such teeny lights, they glowed brighter than expected. It's also fun to bend the wire to any shape I desire.
Vanilla Butter Sugar Scrub by Modern Skyn Alchemy, 8 oz - Estimated Value $9.50 (Buy the 16 oz version for $19)
This is a delicious-smelling vanilla sugar scrub handcrafted from natural ingredients. I love body scrubs. My favorite is from Nyakio Beauty that has since been discontinued, so I'm always on the hunt for a replacement. My pouch arrived with a broken resealable zipper, so I transferred the contents to a sturdy plastic container. In fact, it feels easier to maneuver a lidded container in the shower versus a resealable pouch. The sugar crystals feel too abrasive on my skin at first. That feeling soon disappears, though, and is replaced with a comfortable amount of exfoliating action. When the scrub is fully rinsed, my skin feels soft and moisturized but not greasy. The vanilla scent lingers for a few minutes afterward. It won't replace my favorite scrub, but I'll use it up.
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Seasons Greetings Sloth Mug - Listed Value $14.00
This is my favorite item of the box. Photos don't do this mug justice because it is huge! It is by far the heaviest, sturdiest, largest mug I own. Plus, what's not to love about a scarf-wearing sloth? Best of all, it's microwave, oven, and dishwasher safe!
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Candy Cane Marshmallow Soap by Lather Bar Soap Company, 4 oz - Retail Value $7.00
This bar soap is vegan, paraben free, and phthalate free. It doesn't have a strong scent throw like the candle or body scrub, but I do get whiffs of peppermint and vanilla. I'm fond of the swirly colors too. My partner likes bar soaps so this will join his shower rotation soon.
The Verdict: This was my first MindWander Box and I'm surprised by how much I loved it. First, the mini-workbook and challenge cards are really well thought out. As a clinical psychology student and therapist-in-training, I scrutinized the content not only from a subscriber perspective but also from a clinician perspective. Dr. Sarah expertly teaches you skills from CBT in a way that doesn't feel forced or boring. Also, the workbook made me want to work on myself and build those skills when I'm usually not motivated enough to do it on my own. I think the workbooks and cards are a helpful resource even if you don't find value in them immediately. Second, the self-care items are lovely. The curation and theme feel carefully crafted as well. My favorite is the big sloth mug. Even though the socks are a miss I can still use them as a gift. Based on listed and retail prices that I could find, I received around $69.50 in value, which is about 1.5 times the cost of the box plus shipping.
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No. All new orders ship around the 4th of the following month, so you would receive the January box as your first.
ACTIVE DEAL: Start a free 3-day trial! No coupon needed - just use this link.
Value Breakdown: This box costs $39.99 + $5.00 shipping, which means that each of the 9 items in the box has an average cost of $5.00.
Check out our list of the best personal care subscription boxes, as recommended by MSA readers like you!
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What do you think of MindWander's take on self-care and mental health?
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