Health experts have warned us of another wave of coronavirus as the weather cools, which means restrictions could tighten in many places, and we might find ourselves hunkering down indoors yet again. To help you cope, we’ve compiled a list of 28 things to make a second quarantine less daunting. Our picks will help you eat well, get fit, chill, and basically nourish your mind and body throughout what will likely be a challenging fall and winter.
For the kitchen
The Juice Fountain Cold Plus
Breville
Starter Matcha Tea Set
Hibiki-an
The Kettle
Beautify your caffeine breaks with this sleek, lightweight kettle, which holds enough hot water to fill two mugs. Pour over never looked so good.
Balmuda
Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
For tender roasts, hearty stews, and other cold weather comfort foods, this Dutch oven is a kitchen essential. Not only is it designed to hold juiciness and flavor, it works on any stovetop, and the non-stick enamel coating makes cleaning it a breeze.
Buydeem
Cuisinart Bread Maker
If you’re big on bread baking aspirations but short on time or patience, you can still board the pandemic bread bandwagon, thanks to this timesaver. This fully automatic bread machine has a dozen pre-programmed bread options, ranging from plain white to gluten-free, allowing you to bake the perfectly proofed loaf, sans the sweat or tears.
Cuisinart
To stay active
Fitbit Sense
Fitbit
Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells
Each adjustable dumbbell has a maximum weight of 52.5 pounds, ideal if you lift pretty heavy but can’t get to a gym, and you don’t want to crowd your living space with a bunch of weights.
Bowflex
Sportneer Adjustable Ankle Weights
Easily make your go-to workout a little more challenging with these ankle weights, which have five removable, 0.67-pound sandbags, or up to three pounds of resistance.
Sportneer
Gorilla Bow Portable Home Gym Resistance Band System
If you don’t have room for a squat rack, the Gorilla Bow — literally a bow that you attach resistance bands to — is a convenient alternative. The brand’s website includes videos of lifts that hit every major muscle group, including your classic deadlift, squat, and clean and press.
Theragun Mini
Massage guns are all the rage — and based on my reporting for a Mic story on these devices, they aim to offer the same benefits as deep tissue massage — but they can be bulky. The Theragun mini, which has three quiet speed settings, is a discreet, portable alternative.
Therabody
Twinlab Whey Protein Powder
Protein powder can be a great addition to a smoothie (or mixed with almond milk or water if you’re hardcore) if you want to build mass while you’re working out at home. And this wouldn’t be on our list if it weren’t pleasurable to consume — the Double Chocolate flavor wins.
Amazon
For a little extra peace and joy
Bird's Nest Fern
Not only do they brighten up a room, plants also seem to have mental health benefits. Gazing at the delicately undulating (and fur baby-safe) fronds on this beauty, it’s not hard to see why.
The Still
Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones
These comfortable, noise-cancelling headphones are handy for when you want to rock out during a Zoom or solo dance party but don’t want to piss off your roommates or neighbors.
Sony
Diptyque Electric Wall Diffuser
This electric wall diffuser’s haute design alone will elevate your home — its scented cartridge, which comes in sumptuous fragrances like fig tree and roses, will take it a step further.
Diptyque
Home Cinema Projector 660
Upgrade your Netflix binges with this device, which projects bright, accurately colored images as large as 300 inches. Definitely beats huddling around your laptop.
Epson
Lampu Light Therapy Lamp
Your SAD lamp — which I highly recommend during the darker months, if you experience seasonal depression — doesn’t need to be frumpy. This minimalist statement piece is simple, chic and will help you find your peace.
Circadian Optics
Black Currant Scented Candle
This lavender and vanilla candle creates that intimate, glow-y ambiance, but without the heady pumpkin and frosting scents that tend to predominate this time of year. It’s vegan-friendly, too, so you can bask in its glow without worrying whether any animals were harmed in making it.
Public Goods
XBOOM Go PL7 Portable Bluetooth Speaker
This tiny yet powerful water-resistant speaker will allow for the best shower concerts ever — so don’t be afraid to belt it out. And with 24 hours of battery life, you’ll barely ever have to charge.
LG
Base Station Pro Wireless Charger
Stay in contact with everyone at all times (if you want) by juicing up all of your devices in one place on this sleek wireless charging station.
Nomad Goods
For sleep
Contoured Sleep Mask
Like blackout shades for your eyes, this high-tech sleep mask has light-blocking capabilities and soft memory foam that fits the contours of your face.
MZOO
Ocean Galaxy Light Projector 2.0
When you’re sick of being homebound, or even earthbound, this light projects stars against a nebula cloud, turning your bedroom into a celestial sanctuary. The built in speakers connect to any device, allowing you to truly drift away, at least mentally.
Ocean Galaxy Light
Melatonin Sleep Gummies
Sleep can be hard to come by when you’re stressed and/or aren’t getting as much physical activity in as you usually do. Melatonin and chamomile might give you a gentle nudge into slumber, and these gummies are a tasty way to get your herbal fix.
Hims & Hers
Faribault Wool Throw
Sometimes the best sleep happens in the form of an impromptu nap on the couch after a slew of Zoom meetings, when you're wrapped in a decadent throw. This is our very favorite for the occasion.
Brooklinen
Ostrichpillow Heatbag
With advanced technology that sustains the perfect temperature, Ostrichpillow Heatbag cushions and warms so you can stick it to winter all while having the sweetest dreams.
Ostrichpillow
For when you do venture out
Garmin Venu SQ
Garmin is best known for getting you where you need to be safely, but this smartwatch can also keep you active when you’re unable to frequent the gym, it syncs to your running playlists, and it detects and helps you combat stress.
Garmin
Hunter Original Chelsea Rain Boot
Get your daily walk in, even if the elements are less than ideal. These classic Hunters will keep you warm, dry, and, if you have waterproof headphones, singing in the rain. A sidenote: If you're a little flashy (and prefer a women's style), the Ralph Lauren Tally rain boot is our second runner up.
DSW
Allaric Alley Black Leather Biker Jacket
This guide is about feeling good, so here’s a leather biker jacket we love to leave the house in when the weather is brisk but not brutal: It’s buttery soft upon arrival, classic and fuss-free, and gender fluid.
The Jacket Maker
OM 4 Camera Stabilizer
People outside of your pod want to know what you’re up to, so keep those Stories and Reels coming, The magnetic, compact, user-friendly OM 4 well help you capture your best content even if you’re living your most sequestered life.
DJI
