Whether you’re feeling safe at home or stuck at home (or maybe a combination of both?), many of us can expect to be at home for a while longer. To help you get through it, I’ve identified a list of items that will help you to stay sane during quarantine.
While my current level of sanity is debatable (are any of us feeling totally sane right now?!), there are certain items that have made being in quarantine much more bearable for me.
I hope these items will help you to stay sane during quarantine. Hang in there. We’re going to get through this.
Related:
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1. Nespresso machine
A few months ago, I didn’t even drink coffee. So how did a Nespresso machine make it to the top of my list of items that will help you to stay sane during quarantine?
Simple – while I’m still getting used to the taste of coffee – I absolutely love the way coffee makes me feel.
I’ve been feeling really lethargic at home. I’m not sure whether it’s the inability to change my scenery or whether it’s the anxiety of what’s happening in the outside world. Whatever it is, I haven’t been feeling like my regular self.
Coffee gives me the pick-me-up to turn off the television and do something with my day.
Enter Nespresso. Drinking coffee is an *experience* with this machine. The foamy top. The creamy middle. The gentle hum of the machine that returns a perfect cup every single time.
While we can’t be sitting at a cafe in Paris drinking espresso right now, getting a Nespresso machine is the next best thing.
2. Nespresso milk frother
Did you notice above that I said I’m still getting used to the taste of coffee?
I haven’t 100% warmed up to the taste of just plain coffee. But do you know what makes it 27 times better? Two words: frothed milk.
My Nespresso machine came with a milk frother. At first, I didn’t understand its purpose. Why couldn’t I just pour milk straight into the coffee?
Oh, my friends. How I’ve learned.
The milk frother takes what was milk and changes its texture into a little blankety cloud of happiness. I get simple joy just from watching the milk frother work.
Get a milk frother. It will change your life.
Pro Tip: You need to clean the milk frother after every use. Not to worry – it takes all of 30 seconds. It seems like a no-brainer, but some people complain about the milk burning to the bottom of the milk frother. That’s because people let residue build-up and then don’t understand why it burns.
3. Noise-cancelling headphones
There is something so calming about noise-cancelling headphones.
For me, noise-cancelling headphones make the rest of the world disappear. And remind me just a little bit of the good times when I’d wear them on airplanes.
Whether you’re in a loud or quiet environment right now, these headphones are great for helping you to concentrate. For me, these headphones are the extra help I need to focus my attention right now.
4. Instant Pot
I don’t know how Instant Pot does it. You throw in a hodge podge of ingredients, close the lid, and it magically makes a perfectly cooked meal in usually less than 20 minutes.
My mind is blown every time.
I am moderately okay at using the stove. The slower cooker and I don’t get along. The oven and I have good days and some really awful days.
But the Instant Pot and me? We are best friends.
I’m trying to conserve as much food as possible and reduce my grocery store trips. That means I don’t really want to make an inedible meal right now. With my Instant Pot, I don’t have to worry about that. Everything I’ve cooked in it has turned out amazing.
Get an Instant Pot. It is one of the key items that will help you to stay sane during quarantine.
5. Workout sliders
Have you ever tried a pilates reformer machine? Or have been thinking about trying one?
A pilates reformer machine can give you an incredibly challenging workout. But most of us probably don’t have a pilates reformer machine sitting around at home.
Workout sliders fix that problem. These simple discs allow you to recreate a lot of the same movements of a pilates reformer machine. For some exercises, the workout sliders are even more challenging because of the friction between the slider and the floor.
If you want a super satisfying at-home workout using sliders, check-out [solidcore]’s virtual instructor-led classes. So awesome. I’ve taken a few of these classes while in quarantine. I feel like these workouts are just as tough (in a good way!) as the studio workouts.
I’ve also used the sliders for a few intense PopSugar Fitness workouts, like this workout with Jennifer Lopez’s trainer.
Who knew such a simple device could exponentially increase your at-home workout options?
Pro Tip: It can take a few tries to figure out how to balance your weight on the sliders so that the sliders actually move. You need to shift your weight as much as possible away from the slider and have only a small portion of your foot (either the ball of your foot or your heel) on the slider. If you put too much weight on the slider, those things are nearly impossible to move.
6. Something from a local or small business
One of the most important items that will help you to keep sane during quarantine is a purchase from a local or small business.
It can be tough sitting at home, worrying and wondering what you can do to help.
One way that you can help – while still staying home – is to make a purchase from a local or small business. You can purchase curbside pickup from your favorite local restaurant, have a book delivered from your local book store, or send a care package to a loved one using a local store’s online website.
Here are a few ways my community is encouraging people to support local businesses:
7. Nice candles
There is something about a wonderful-smelling candle that help calm your nerves and transport you to another place and time.
I’ve been loving all Jo Malone candles, but my absolute favorite is the Basil & Neroli. If I close my eyes, it *almost* feels like I’m in a relaxing spa.
I also love my Diptyque candles. Their nature-based scents make me feel like I’m walking through the forest or through a flowering field. All without leaving my living room. I like the sets of smaller candles because you can try out different candles without the commitment of a full-sized candle.
8. Wool cape
While the word “cape” sounds a little too sophisticated for quarantine, a cape is essentially a blanket.
But unlike a blanket, you can easily walk around while wearing a cape and not risk life and limb. Plus, when I’m covered in a blanket, it’s extremely hard for me to find motivation to get up. With a cape, I’m much more mobile.
That added mobility is key for my sanity while in quarantine. If I spend too much time sitting or lying around, I get more and more lethargic. And that affects my mental well-being.
Free yourself from your blanket prison and embrace the cape! You’ll be so happy you did.
9. Roku
I ordered a Roku on day 9 of quarantine. I’m on day 28 now and I’ve used the Roku every single day.
I don’t have a smart TV, so I had been using my laptop and phone to stream Netflix, watch YouTube exercise videos, and catch up on Amazon Prime shows.
I wasn’t sure I needed a Roku, but thought I’d give it a try during quarantine.
It was love at first use.
Instead of using a laptop, phone, and TV to provide my entertainment, I could now rely entirely on the TV.
Suddenly I had access Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime, Disney+, regular television, HBO, and other online apps (like NBC.com and Bravo.com) all on one screen.
Can you tell I love it?! It’s so easy to use. It may seem like a minor thing, but anything that makes life a little easier in quarantine is a win in my book.
I highly recommend getting a Roku.
10. Single-serve wine bottles
If you’re the only wine drinker in your house, you’ll absolutely love single-serve wine bottles.
As the sole wine drinker in my 1-person household, I don’t always want to open up an entire bottle of wine. Either I’ll drink one glass and the rest of the wine goes bad or I get carried away and give myself a major regrets headache.
Enter single-serve wine bottles. Perfectly sized for a single glass of wine. And if you feel like having two (or three!) glasses of wine, you just open up another single-serving size bottle. To me, they are perfect.
During quarantine, I’ve been loving La Marca’s mini prosecco bottles. The bubby is a little way to bring joy to the end of my day.
I’m also a huge fan of Vinebox. You can sign up for a single shipment or get a monthly subscription of single-serve wine sent straight to your door. It’s a great way to try different types of wine without opening a full-size bottle.
Bring single-serve wine bottles into your life. They are one of the items that will help you to stay sane during quarantine.
While it’s a mentally tough time for all of us, I hope that these items help you to stay sane during quarantine!
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Comments or Questions?
Have a comment or a question? I’d love to hear from you! Visit me on Instagram @eastbymidwest and leave a comment or DM, or send me an email at pam@eastbymidwest.com.
