I like to think of myself as a well-rounded anxious person. I have situational anxiety—like with public speaking and flying—as well as general anxiety about everything else. What if the elevator I’m in breaks down? What if the subway gets stuck underground? What if the giant rock we’re living on decides to suddenly spin out into the depths of space?
Even if you aren’t anxious in normal circumstances, the pandemic we’re living in is not normal. Staying indoors for such a long time, away from family and friends, and only hearing bad news week after week can take a toll on the mind. I’ve curated some suggestions to help you feel some semblance of calm during this difficult time. Note: These are not meant to treat serious anxiety disorders—those should be discussed with your doctor or therapist.
If you’re more in need of traditional self-care, we’ve got you covered with our Ultimate Quarantine Self-Care Guide, and our manuals on How to Cut and How to Dye Your Hair at home. We also have a handpicked selection of gadgets under $20 the WIRED Gear team loves, movies and TV shows we’re rebinging, plus YouTube channels we can’t stop watching. Hopefully, they keep you entertained.
Updated for July 2020: We’ve added more products, like a bird feeder, an acupressure mat, a Theragun, and a fluffy robe to relax in.
If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more.
Create a Sanctuary
While it might be especially obvious right now, your surroundings affect your mood. If I’m feeling bad about myself or the world and I let my apartment get messy, it only amplifies those emotions and makes me feel more overwhelmed. I moved in the middle of this quarantine and made it a mission to get unpacked and decorated quicker than normal. I needed a space that felt like me. No matter how much you meditate, exercise, or pick up a new hobby, if your sink is full of dirty dishes and you’re stepping over last week’s clothes to get to bed, you aren’t setting yourself up for much success.
Start with a clean state and then fill your space with things that make you calm just by looking at them. For me, that’s candles, robes, plants, crystals, and cozy blankets (plus my two cats).
Add Fresh Scents
Candles are especially calming to look at, and scented candles can help with your overall mood. Here are some of my favorites.
- Yankee Candles’ ($30) holiday scents, like Balsam and Cedar, are my go-tos.
- DW Home ($6+) has some great options. I’m particularly fond of Warm Tobacco Pipe.
- Otherland ($36) has a few WIRED fans. You can get a sampler to try before you buy.
Oil diffusers are another great way to turn your home into a sanctuary, and you won’t have to worry about an open flame. (Just be careful if you have pets.) Senior associate editor Julian Chokkattu says watching a stream of mist shoot out of Muji’s diffuser ($70) is “as calming as the scents it brings to the room.” Its design is minimalist, it’s easy to use, plus it lights up for added effect. Most diffusers are designed similarly, some with faux wood and modern shapes if that’s more your style.
Diffusers are generally simple to operate. Pour water in the main chamber, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil, then choose the desired run time. Muji’s can run up to three hours and its whirs aren’t very audible. It’s recommended for spaces around 100 to 133 square feet, but the Japanese brand has a larger version ($119) for bigger rooms.
Wrap Up in a Robe
Maybe you’ve taken this opportunity to rewatch (or watch for the first time) some classic TV, like The Sopranos. If so, you may have noticed that Tony Soprano has a robe collection fit for a king—that’s because lounging around your house in one just feels good. I put together a list of some of his best, but my top pick is Brooklinen’s Super-Plush Robe ($98) if you don’t know where to start. It’s a classic fluffy robe perfect for after a shower or even if you haven’t made it out of bed in two days (we’re not judging).
If you’d rather channel Carmela Soprano, the Alexander Del Rossa Satin Robe ($65) made me feel like a rich housewife. What more can you ask for?
Let Greenery Grow
Plants can transform any living space, making it feel like your own oasis. I tend to lean toward the artificial kind, eliminating my unwavering ability to kill plants with even the lowest amount of maintenance. Target and West Elm have a lot of great faux options.
If you want the real deal, Lula’s Garden has excellent succulents that are easy to take care of, including this Glow Garden ($32) that I am currently attempting to keep alive. Everything comes in a pretty gift box that doubles as a planter, so you don’t have to repot them until they grow out of it; they also come with plastic droppers for easy watering.
The Sill also has a beautiful selection, including this snake plant ($62) that is easy for beginner plant parents. If you have pets and aren’t sure what plants you can have around them, the company has a pet-friendly subscription box ($35), too.
Make sure to also check out any local plant shops in your area. Local businesses are some of the hardest hit during this pandemic, and it’s important to support them if you can.
Invite Some Birds
It might sound dramatic, but getting a window-mounted bird feeder changed my life. It finally connected me to the birds I’ve been so intrigued by. Even if you don’t love them as much as I do, you might find that having all these little birds come to your window, chirping and playing with each other, is quite relaxing during a time of uncertainty.
There are a lot of options to choose from, but a simple rectangle ($46) is all you really need. Or you can go for a hummingbird feeder ($17), if you’re committed to cleaning it every other day (and don’t use red dyes in thei