Social isolation has changed our lives. Now that we have to spend more time locked up at home we have been forced to change our work or exercise routines and find ways to entertain and educate our children.
Is not easy. Like any routine change, getting used to the new reality (even if it is, we hope, temporary) is associated with a high level of stress and a feeling of not having things under control. At CNN Underscored we have put together a list of products that can, however, make the quarantine period more bearable, relaxed, and productive for all family members.
Roku Sreaming Stick + ($ 46.32; amazon.com)
No matter how busy you are or how much work or exercise you do, in the end you will have plenty of time during this quarantine to sit in front of the TV and watch all kinds of series and movies. This streaming device is compact, easy to install and gives access to the main platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Showtime or HBO. You will have to have an active account in these services too, of course.
Echo Dot ($ 29.99; amazon.com)
Whether you live alone or with the whole family, something more than companionship never hurts, even if it's virtual. Alexa, Amazon's digital assistant, can help you with many tasks, from cooking to finding out the latest news. For the little ones it can also be a source of entertainment. In addition, this echo is a fairly capable speaker with which you can play your Spotify or Apple Music music without problems and throughout the house.
Bicycle Metalluxe Game Cards ($ 9.50; amazon.com)
The classics never fail. A good deck of cards will allow you to play with the family in an infinity of games, suitable for all ages. These are made with a very luxurious metallic and shiny finish that will add a little class to the next game of poker or liar.
Kindle Paperwhite ($ 129.99; amazon.com)
It doesn't matter how big your book collection is at home. sooner or later they will run out. With an ebook, however, having a new book whenever you need it is easy and no matter how big the novel is, it will feel very light in your hands. The Kindle screen is designed to be read in all kinds of light conditions, it does not tire your eyes and it even has lighting to read at night without disturbing your partner.
Anova Culinary ANVS01-US00 Vacuum Sealer ($ 69.99; amazon.com)
Keeping food well is essential now that we cook more at home and especially with the distribution problems that sometimes exist in supermarkets. A vacuum sealer will allow you to store prepared ingredients or dishes for a longer time and, if you have a sous vide cooking machine , it is essential.
Hamilton Beach Electric Teapot ($ 29.07; amazon.com)
The most efficient way to boil water for making a cup of tea (or even for cooking!) Is to use an electric kettle. Bring water to a boil in just a few seconds, much faster than kitchen stoves. Trust us, if you don't have one, it will change your life and cut the time you spend cooking.
Brita Ultra Max Filtered Water Tank ($ 34.99, originally $ 109.99; amazon.com)
The quarantine situation is unlikely to affect the water supply, so there is no need to stockpile, but these days we are drinking more water at home and the tap water may not taste as good as that in the office drinking fountain. or the one we buy bottled. This tank can filter 1.13 gallons and keeps them cool inside the fridge so the whole family always has fresh water available.
Eero Mesh Wifi, 2-pack with Echo Flex as a gift ($ 135.00, amazon.com)
Now that you have to work from home you may be realizing that the WiFi router that the telephone operator put in is not particularly good. To cover every last corner of the house with good WiFi, it is best to use a completely decentralized mesh system. This pack of 2 Eero routers is perfect for a medium-sized home and includes controls to temporarily block children from accessing the network, for example, during dinner or to only allow educational sites during school hours.
22 Inch Presto Electric Cooktop (amazon.com)
You may think that you already have too many pots in the kitchen, but an electric iron is really the best way to prepare many dishes, especially if you are not lucky enough to have a grill in the garden. This is perfect for making pancakes, roasting vegetables or preparing quesadillas and it is easy to clean.
BCAN Folding Exercise Bike ($ 199.99, originally $ 319.99; amazon.com)
A good way to stay active while at home is on an exercise bike. It folds down to just 22 x 20 inches and is therefore suitable for even small apartments.
Note: The above prices reflect the price at the time of article posting.