I feel that these are all things that have made really positive impacts on my mental health, physical well-being, confidence, and happiness. The intent of this post is to share and inspire. These items might seem mundane or quite obvious to some, but they helped me a lot. I am not a medical, health, or fitness professional, so please consult appropriate professionals for any advice mentioned. Just because these things improved my quality of life, does not guarantee that they will help you as well.
#1 Proper Office Chair
I would argue that I spend more time sitting at my desk than I do sleeping. A few years ago I partially herniated a disc which led to a few weeks of lower back pain. One of the causes of that was my poor sitting posture. I didn’t get adequate support from my regular IKEA chair. A good chair provides proper lumbar and pelvic support as well as helps to improve your posture. I regret all of the years I spent at the computer scrunched in awkward positions, and how all of that must have impacted my spine.
Office chairs from brands like Herman Miller, Knoll, and Steelcase when brand new are really expensive. After doing research I found a website called Madison Seating – Office Chairs and Home Furniture which sells refurbished office chairs for reasonable prices.
I bought the Steelcase Leap V2 chair with added lumbar support for somewhere around 300$ (Before Covid-19 pandemic, when work from home and supply chain disruption increased the prices). The original price is around $1000 so it was a pretty good deal. My back no longer aches when sitting for long periods of time thanks (in part) to this chair.
#2 Height Adjustable (Standing) Desk
Sitting for extended periods of time is also something that I believe was contributing to my lower back pain. Many doctors and physical therapists recommend to take breaks in between long sessions of sitting, but sometimes it’s hard to break away from your task. My standing desk allows me to continue working comfortably. Another good thing about the standing desk is that you can adjust the height while you are sitting such that your arm rest and your elbows are perfectly level with the desk and form a 90 degree angle no matter how tall you are. This also enforces good posture. My husband researched a good mid-range price desk.
We ended up ordering the Home Office Collection – Alfa Furnishing standing desk from Amazon. There are definitely cheaper options, but apparently some of the cheaper frames wobble a lot (causes monitors to shake when typing) at the higher height settings. Ours desks are pretty stable, however the height adjustment pad buttons were very difficult for us to press. Additionally, one of the desk slabs we received was damaged in transport. The customer service was quick to respond and did offer to replace it for free or provide a 40$ credit.
#3 Portable USB – C Monitor
When my office job sent me a work laptop, they also sent me this clunky docking station that I could use to attach to my at-home monitors. At first, this was not an ideal set up because it restricted my mobility. That’s when I wondered if there was something tablet-sized and portable with the sole purpose of being a second screen. This is what led me to the current portable monitor I am using, the ZenScreen MB16AC｜Monitors｜ASUS Global.
This portable monitor is completely powered through a single USB type C cable, thereby reducing the amount of wires. Additionally, it’s super lightweight and has a good stand that doubles as a screen cover. I have an efficient work station no matter where I go now. It is convenient because not only does it plug into the USB C port of my work laptop, but it also works on my M1 MacBook Pro as well.
There are tons of other brands out there for portable monitors. I purchased mine second hand off of someone on Mercari. I’d also check eBay before getting one brand new in order to save.
#4 Insoles and 3/4 Insoles
I started wearing insoles to help alleviate foot pain and improve posture. Insoles definitely make a difference in how far I can walk and jog comfortably. I have narrow feet with higher arches. The EASYFIT Women’s: 3/4 Insoles for Arch Support | Superfeet insoles are extremely clever because they take up much less space in the shoe so it’s not a snug fit at the toe box. Their smaller size also makes them really easy to move from one shoe to another. You can also easily put them into boots or even booties with a 1 inch heel with no problems.
Consider visiting a physical therapist or podiatrist if possible. They may suggest treatment and / or custom orthopedics to help you out.
#5 Proper running sneaker, sized up half a size
When I started jogging and running, I didn’t know that there was a science behind the designs of running sneakers. Sneakers can be specially designed for a variety of feet and foot issues, including: varying levels of arch support, pronation (bending foot inward slightly), under-pronation (bending foot outward slightly), and providing additional support to help correct your running form and prevent injury and fatigue.
My husband and I visited a running store called JackRabbit. The staff members there helped analyze our running gait in slow motion on a treadmill, and then suggested the right sneaker and insole specifically for us. Sizing up half a size is also important to account for any swelling that you may get while exercising. If you wear shoes that are too small for you frequently enough, it can cause problems like bruised toenails, and bunions. Not only that, it can deform the skeletal structure of your foot causing problems down the line.
#6 Laundry Sorting Hamper
For most of my life I had just one all-purpose hamper that I would toss my clothes into. Then, on laundry day I had to drag it to the laundry room and start creating “piles” for the colors, lights, and darks. I purchased this style of laundry sorter / hamper once I moved to a new apartment and it has been a great time saver. Not only do I no longer need to waste my time sorting through dirty clothing, I can also isolate the laundry based on which section fills up first.
Additionally I can easily roll the cart into my building’s elevator and down to the coin operated laundry in the basement thanks to the wheels. The flat top lifts up and I use it for ironing, pre-treating stains, and laying clothing flat for my fabric shaver. I also use it as a place to fold, and a mini table to hold my detergents.
The model I purchased is Amazon.com: Honey-Can-Do Rolling Laundry Sorter with Ironing Board but there are plenty of other brands which make the same style.
Below are some additional links to similar hampers, but also make sure to check Walmart, Wayfair, Target, etc. to find the best priced one. Keywords are “3 section sorter with ironing”. I paid roughly $50 for mine.
- Amazon.com: STORAGE MANIAC 3-Section Laundry Sorter, Heavy-Duty Rolling Laundry Cart with Ironing Board and Removable Bags
- Amazon.com: Ollieroo Classic Rolling Laundry Sorter Cart Heavy Duty 3 Bags Laundry Hamper Sorter
#7 Stainless Steel Kitchen Prep Table
Short on counter space? We sure were. The 30″ x 72″ Stainless Steel Commercial Work Table from Webstaurant Store was a huge success in our apartment. These things come in a few different sizes and we were able to buy one with cosmetic damages for less through the store and save around 100$. The table is so easy to clean after cooking. The extra space is great for two people cutting and chopping side-by-side. Also, the bench underneath is excellent for storing pots and pans for quick access if you can’t hang them and are low on cabinet space.
#8 Pressure Cooker and Air Fryer
My InstantPot and it’s air fryer lid add-on have become kitchen staples that I use almost every day. I use them to make perfect rice, stews, soups, super crunchy tater tots, chicken, hash browns, and lots of other stuff. No more waiting for the oven to preheat, and no more sitting around stirring and simmering forever. Just set it and forget it. Perfect rice is ready quick and without supervision. Perfect crispy textured hash browns fry in 15 minutes. Fresh apple sauce takes 5 minutes.
It’s so satisfying to not have to hover over the frying pan and monitor everything. The clean up is also really straight forward. Our space is limited so it’s just perfect to be able to have our instant pot double as the air fryer as well. I dislike having too many appliances. This Instant Pot® Duo™ 6-quart Multi-Use Pressure Cooker is our instant pot and this Instant Pot® 6-quart Air Fryer Lid is the air fryer lid. We purchased them separately during online sales, from Costco and Amazon, respectively.
Definitely price check because they go on sale often. We paid 70$ at Costo for the main unit and it came with useful accessories. The air fryer lid was 50$ during Black Friday deals off of Amazon.
#9 Heated Throw Blanket
We recently moved to New England and the winters here can get pretty chilly. I am the type of person that is always cold. Ever since I bought my heated blanket I have used it every single day. My favorite thing to do is spread the throw across my sofa, plug in the blanket and just lay on top of it instead of underneath it. It gets warm without being uncomfortably burning or hot. The constant stream of heat, especially on a cold day is very comforting and soothing. I also like to use it to heat up the bed before going to sleep.
The blanket I purchased feels soft like a baby blanket and is machine washable. It also has a safety feature that shuts the blanket off after 4 hours. The specific blanket I purchased is this Serta Silky Plush Electric Heated Warming Throw Blanket Plaid Blue. There are a lot of options out there but I thought maybe Serta would be a more trustworthy brand over some of the unbranded cheaper ones on Amazon.
From an energy perspective, this blanket draws 100 watts, which is significantly less than keeping our heater running.
#10 Hot Water Bottle
Hot water bottles are pretty old school but they’re awesome for relieving aches, pains, cramps and keeping you warm. These are an alternative or an addition to the heated blanket since they aren’t restricted by a cord and outlet. I like to use my hot water bottle as a back cushion in my chair to ease lower back pain if it ever flares up. It also feels really good to rest your feet on top of one if they’re cold.
My mother in law bought me a set of hot water bottles and they have a cute soft cover over the rubber to prevent burns. The soft covers make them easy to snuggle, use between your knees when sleeping, use as a neck cushion, etc. The only down side is that they do need to be refilled with hot water every few hours. I think they are well worth it for the comfort!
#11 Compact Adjustable Weights Set, Bench, Pull-up Bar
Adjustable weights take up very little space, are cost effective, and are all you really need to start your home gym. Be honest with yourself though. If you’re not the type of person who has the motivation to exercise at home, then this may not be for you. However, if you’re a consistent gym-goer and you’re looking to transfer your routine home to save on a yearly gym membership and lift weights at any time in the comfort of your home, this is a game changer.
We purchased the PowerBlock 50 lb Adjustable Dumbbell Set from Woot! during their Black Friday specials for 50% off. (Set of 2 50lb dumbbells for 250$) and this Adjustable Weight Bench for around 115$. The bench folds up and can be wheeled away. Gym equipment is also pretty easy to resell on Craigslist or Facebook marketplace if you decide you need to upgrade or no longer need it.
#12 Hair De-tangle Brush and De-tangle Spray
My hair managed to grow really long during the pandemic and because of that, it’s prone to more tangling. I’ve tried a couple of de-tangling hair brushes from Wet Brush and Tangle Teezer. My favorite has been the Wet Brush with the blow-dryer heat safe bristles that don’t melt. The brush also lets you blow dry hair faster because of the vents in the design. This combined with a little bit of any detangle spray or conditioner and hair oil works wonders to de-tangle the knots from my ultra fine and long hair.
The Tangle Teezer didn’t really work for me and I found it quite hard to clean (even though the designs are so cute!). I prefer the Wet Brush Osmosis Speed Dry Hair Brush. My goal is to minimize breakage and brush the knots out of my hair as fast as possible. The tangle teezer brush just takes too long (I tried both the original, and the ultimate detangler styles) and still prefer the Wet brush.
#13 Dyson Air Wrap
Pros: This thing takes hair from wet to salon blow out in 10-15 minutes all while minimizing the heat damage done to your hair. It actually doesn’t get very hot at all, yet it is powerful.
Cons: Big learning curve, longer hair needs longer barrel attachments, and it’s really expensive (the Ferrari of hair dryers)
I added this to my list because it saves time and makes my hair look great, which boosts my confidence.
#14 Fabric Shaver
Many pilled sweaters and sweatshirts have been saved thanks to my nifty Conair Battery Operated Fabric Defuzzer/Shaver. I recorded a little video showing what this thing can do to a really beat up pair of my husband’s sweatpants.
#15 Sensitive Teeth Toothpaste
I have sensitive teeth. The kind that give a serious brain freeze if I bite into ice cream or drink hot tea. Or rather, I used to have sensitive teeth. I learned so many mouth movements to try to avoid exposing my teeth (especially the front teeth) to any hot or cold foods. When I switched over to Sensodyne toothpaste with Novamin, after a couple of uses, my teeth started to be able to tolerate these types of extreme temperatures. I would say this significantly improved my quality of life and eating.
Due to USA regulatory reasons, the toothpaste I rely on can only be purchased outside of USA (Europe, Asia, etc), but you can easily get it from Amazon via import. The curious history of NovaMin toothpaste | by Ten Bitcomb | Medium is a good read about the NovaMin ingredient and why it’s not allowed to be marketed in USA.
#16 Supplements
I would say taking vitamins consistently stabilized my mood and helped me with my memory. Your mileage may vary, but I eat pretty far from a what I would call a “balanced diet.” I take Vitamin D, Omega 3, and Magnesium. In addition to those, for the past two years I’ve been adding one scoop of collagen protein into my morning coffee to boost my daily protein intake. It gives coffee more ‘body’ and is tasteless, unlike whey protein. Always make sure your vitamins are NSF certified since they are not regulated by the FDA.