Whether you are a homebody or the most optimistic of your friends, if it is quarantined, sooner or later it will end up taking its toll on you. Being trapped at home all day is hard. You may be working from home, organizing classes for your kids, removing previously ignored things from your to-do list, or just trying to make unsuccessful trips to the grocery store, but life is definitely not normal these days for anyone. .
In light of that, we've rounded up some of CNN Underscored employees' favorite products to keep our sanity intact as we all get through this crisis. If you've been feeling bored, lonely, or anxious, we hope that at least one thing on this list will inspire you to find ways to add small doses of joy to your day.
Black + Decker 20V MAX Household Drill and Tool Kit, 68 Pcs ($ 89; amazon.com)
I spent my first week working from home doing all the home improvements I've been putting off for the last year and a half of living in my apartment, which means I've been pulling out my toolkit more frequently in the last seven days than in my whole life. Framed pictures and shelves finally hang in their designated places thanks to my hammer and nails, organizers finally built with my handy screwdriver, rope lights turn on with the help of putty and hooks fasten jackets and robes with Command tape . (The putty and the tape did not come with the kit, but I keep them there).
It has been strangely comforting, finally, to pay attention to these little details in my home, and really, it makes me feel less reluctant to stay indoors, since now I really want to be present to enjoy my new decoration. Next on the list: plug the old nail holes in my walls, now that I've moved things around. - Chelsea Stone, trade editor .
Perky-Pet Copper Panorama Bird Feeder ($ 17.23, originally $ 18.99; chewy.com)
Working from home is a privilege that I feel lucky to have, but after a while, I think it is quite normal for someone to climb the wall. To help add some joy to my day, I recently bought this wild bird feeder and hung it on my patio, which I have a direct view of when working from my kitchen table. I love to see all the strangest sparrows, cardinals, blue jays, and occasionally birds that I can't identify stopping for a snack. It's a delightful distraction that, silly as it may seem, reminds me that birds have no idea what humans are going through right now, and that in due course things will eventually return to normal. - Emmy Favilla, associate editor .
Headspace app (free; headspace.com)
I'm currently locked up with my girlfriend and we've been doing a good job taking care of cooking, games and shows on Netflix. What we've really needed help with is managing existential stress as COVID-19 spreads throughout New York City. She is immunocompromised, so we have both been very nervous about the possibility of contagion. Two days ago we went out on our last run to pick up some groceries and we were trapped in a really crowded supermarket, which made us quite angry.
So that night I made some tea and we both tuned into the Headspace meditation app, which I hadn't used until now. We chose one of the stress meditations, which mainly told us to pay attention to our bodies and our breathing. It really helped me forget about things after a day of excessive worry, plus they knocked me unconscious in less than 10 minutes. We've used it the last two nights since then, and I think it's a good centering routine that we'll continue to do as we quarantine. - Kai Burkhardt, editorial coordinator .
ThinkFun Gravity Maze Game ($ 29.95; amazon.com)
My 11 year old son and I have been loving this logic game. Players are tasked with arranging multi-level plastic towers to drive a marble from one space to another on a grid. The first of the four levels of difficulty should be easy enough for a younger school-age player, while the most difficult - well, let's just say the kid is the only one in the house (so far!) Who can complete them. Now that even children's school comes through a screen, this game has provided a wonderfully tactile way to engage our brains. - Michael Bruno, editorial director .
Gaiam Yoga Mat ($ 28.99; amazon.com)
Yoga is an amazing way to de-stress, relax, and restore focus. I love this yoga mat because it is comfortable and does not leave your knees or hands sore, and it is easy to roll up and put away. (Plus, the design is stylish and reflects my inner fashionista!) I wear my yoga mat at night while following guided exercises on YouTube, helping me feel relaxed and more positive just before bed. - Sarai Thompson, editorial coordinator .
Breville Smoking Gun Wood Smoke Infuser ($ 99.99; bedbathandbeyond.com)
My usual glass of bourbon and takeaway after work seems a little boring and lazy now that I'm home all day. So I have improved my cooking and bartender skills thanks to this handy smoker gun. Now that I have time to marinate meat and drinks in a steaming mist for 15 minutes, the little gun helps me flavor dishes like ribs and steaks deliciously, and elevates cocktails like manhattans and margaritas to $ 18 drinks that I would normally drink in bars. - Scott Simone, deputy editor .
Philips Hue Go Portable Light ($ 79.99; meethue.com)
We have a lot of these Philips Hue bulbs and lamps in my house, so I set one up in our living room as a “warning light” so my family knows when I'm on a call. So far, it's working fine: I only change it to red on my phone when I have a video chat or an open call. They also have the option of adding "scenes" where you can change colors to specific settings with a single touch. I have not done it yet but apart from that improvement, beauty is simplicity. Of course, nothing guarantees that my children will not end up taking control. 🙂 - Toby Boudreaux, Senior Director of Technology .
Sonos One (Gen 2) Voice-Controlled Smart Speaker ($ 199; amazon.com)
Before this week, I always had my TV in the background on the rare occasions when I worked from home. After this week, I realized that over 12 hours of reruns of "Friends" are not good for anyone's mental health. Now instead of turning on the TV, I listen to a podcast or soothing music on my Sonos speaker when things get too quiet in my apartment. I've had it for a while, but I appreciate spending on smart speakers now more than ever. - Chelsea Stone, trade editor
Daily Harvest (starting at $ 6.99 / smoothie or bowl, get $ 20 off your first order; daily-harvest.com)
If you've been to your local supermarket lately, chances are you couldn't find all the items you were looking for, from staples like fresh produce and pasta to condiments or almond milk. To avoid the anxiety of wondering if I can make three different meals every day (and why I don't eat meat and try to avoid dairy), I trust Daily Harvest on days when I work from home.
Daily Harvest is a plant-based food service that ships frozen smoothies, meals, soups, and even desserts and lattes to your doorstep. All you need to do is mix them with your favorite milk or heat salty foods (like cauliflower rice and pesto) in the kitchen. All of the options are absolutely delicious, packed with nutrients and provide the variety that has become increasingly difficult to find as this situation has become the new normal. - Emmy Favilla, associate editor
Ikea Softwood Mala Easel ($ 39.99, originally $ 44.18; amazon.com)
This Ikea easel has been an essential part of quarantined life in our New York City apartment. Space is a constant problem with two children under the age of 7 and zero outdoor areas. This easel has a whiteboard surface, dry marker pen surface, and roll paper holder for maximum fun, and folds easily for storage between a vanity or wall-mounted. We use the roll of paper to brainstorm our quarantine house rules, which we then hang prominently on the wall. We also use paper for art projects. Because it has surfaces on both sides, two young children can work independently at the same time. We stock up on chalk, blackboard markers, and washable paints to get the most out of this versatile workhorse. Make sure to put an old sheet or cloth underneath to catch accidental spills, splatters and stains. - Dana Holmes, editor .
Note: The above prices reflect the price at the time of article posting.
