AnxieTee was born from a personal frustration: the lack of non-pharmaceutical tools for people experiencing anxiety in the moment. We developed AnxieTee as a wearable solution that leverages science-backed techniques—such as deep pressure stimulation, grounding vibration, and soothing warmth—to help users regain calm and control.

Anxiety can be overwhelming, destabilizing, and isolating. In those moments, telling yourself to “just breathe” isn’t enough. AnxieTee provides a discreet, physical anchor that supports the body’s natural regulation systems. Designed to be there when you need it most, it helps bring users out of their head and into the present. Since launching, the product has gained strong interest from students, therapists, and early-stage health innovation partners.

We followed a lean, iterative design process grounded in psychology, biomimicry (design inspired by natural processes), and continuous user feedback. After identifying key sensory interventions known to regulate anxiety—deep pressure, warmth, cooling, and vibration—we integrated these into a single wearable: a discreet tee that mimics a hug and delivers calming physical input through optional, modular features.

After pitching the initial concept, I assembled and led a multidisciplinary team of two mechanical engineers, two human-centered designers, and one computer engineer to prototype and test the product. Together, we explored how to make each feature effective, wearable, and safe—constantly refining the design based on user needs and scientific validation.

Our process included:

• User Interviews & Surveys: Multiple rounds of qualitative and quantitative research with college students and recent graduates to understand panic triggers, grounding methods, clothing preferences, and unmet comfort needs.
  
  
• Concept Sketching & Feature Prioritization: Explored diverse form factors and layout configurations, aiming for something intuitive, discreet, and emotionally supportive. We settled on a wearable chest band integrated into a tee—subtle, familiar, and able to house multiple features safely.
  
  
• Science-Backed Prototyping: Designed functions based on anxiety research and neurobiology:
  
  
  • Vibration to disrupt spiraling thoughts and reorient focus on the body
    
    
  • Compression to activate calming parasympathetic responses
    
    
  • Heat to soothe tension and simulate human touch warmth
    
    
  • Cooling to reset sensory overload and bring alertness
    
    
• Iterative Wear Testing: Built MVP versions using elastic bands and mock components, testing for comfort, usability, and feature effectiveness in real-life settings. Feedback guided refinements in form factor and feature hierarchy, ensuring the garment felt approachable rather than clinical or intrusive.

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The result is AnxieTee: a modular, soft-tech garment enabling users to manage anxiety with autonomy, discretion, and dignity. The design prioritizes privacy, embodiment, and real-time relief—supporting users exactly when they need it most.