Life

Social Distancing Is Much Easier Thanks To These 42 Brilliant Things

by Cliché Wynter
Updated: 
Originally Published: 
Amazon

As social distancing continues on, you may start to feel restless. Trust me, I get it. It's legitimately hard. But in order to ensure the health and safety of yourself and your community, we have to stay committed to distancing. And while it's not easy to stay inside and forego physical contact with the rest of the world, there are plenty of ways to distract yourself from any stress you might be feeling. These products that make social distancing easer aim to do just that.

I've searched high and low for products to keep you occupied at home. Obviously, you'll find some top notch self-pampering products (because we all could use some TLC), but I've also included products that will help you learn new skills, like this pasta maker for homemade spaghetti and fettuccine, or this beginner's sewing machine that'll let you live out your designer dreams. This is also the perfect time to dive into some reading — I know I plan to carve out some hours to finally finish Michelle Obama's memoir, Becoming.

Keep scrolling for tons of inspiration that'll help you get through this time. And remember — this is only temporary.

We only recommend products we love and that we think you will, too. We may receive a portion of sales from products purchased from this article, which was written by our Commerce team.

1

This Frother That Lets You Make Classic Coffee-Shop Drinks At Home

So you can't go to your local cafe — there's no need to fret. With this milk frother, you can whip up your own delicious beverages at home. The stainless steel gadget is battery-operated and effortlessly creates foam that will rival that of your favorite barista.

2

A Ring Light That'll Make Your Video Calls WAY Better

This selfie light attaches to your computer or smartphone to provide the perfect lighting for taking phots or video chatting. It has 3 brightness options and charged via USB.

3

The Legendary NSFW Game To Play With Friends & Family Close Or Far

Cards Against Humanity has always been a staple during my family and friends game nights, and this NSFW game is a great way to keep things lighthearted with roommates or a partner during social distancing. Here's how it goes: One person draws a question card and the other person (or people) will draw the most hilarious possible answer from their hand of cards. Beware: this is recommended for ages 17 and up.

4

The Portable Sewing Machine To Pass The Time (Maybe Make A Few Masks?)

Now is just as good a time as any to finally learn how to sew. (At least that's what I've been telling myself.) This beginner's sewing machine makes it less intimidating. It features 12 stitch options, and can be controlled by hand or foot pedal. It's compact and weighs only 7 pounds, so you can use it as a portable machine once social distancing is over.

5

Staring At Your Phone All Day? This Thing Magnifies Your Screen

Yes, this is in fact a very cool phone magnifying screen that blow up your phone screen, so you can watch movies or FaceTime in true-to-size form. The 12-inch screen provides two to three times magnification, and even improves the picture quality, so it won't look blurry.

6

A Cult Favorite Board Game That You Can Play For Hours

I'm looking forward to playing Catan to test the strategizing skills I like to think of myself as having. The objective of this classic game is to build roads and establish a full-fledged city before anyone else does, by collecting resources, trading, bartering, and outwitting the other "settlers" — i.e, players.

7

A Must-Read Memoir By Michelle Obama

Former first lady Michelle Obama broke all kinds of records when her best-selling memoir Becoming was released. If you haven't gotten around to reading it just yet, I highly recommend it. She gets deeply personal and shares previous unknown life stories that led her down the path to the White House. This is an inspiring read with so many gems.

8

An Easy-To-Use Pasta Maker So You Can Make Restaurant Quality Pasta At Home

Looking to up your cooking skills while you're spending more time at home? This pasta-making machine will help you do just that. After making the dough, feed it through to create a sheet of pasta, then use the cutter to turn it into fettucine or spaghetti noodles. Made from durable stainless steel, the machine allows you to make your pasta exactly how you like it. Perfecto.

9

A Cake-Pop Maker If You're Missing Your Fave Sweats From The Bakery

Feel free to indulge in a sweet treat here and there with this mini cake pop maker. It has space to make 12 cake pops at a time and the non-stick coating makes it easy to pop them out. The machine also comes with a fork tool, a holder, and sticks for your pops.

10

A Waterproof Speaker That You Can Use In The Shower

Whether you're taking a long shower, a relaxing bath, or going for a hike, this waterproof Bluetooth speaker can enhance the experience. The USB-chargeable speaker is shockproof, so you don't have to worry about drops, and it even has the ability to float. Cue up your favorite playlist or podcast and sync it to your phone.

11

This Book That Teaches You Calligraphy

I don't know about you, but I find that there's something soothing about putting pen to paper, and this calligraphy guide can help engage your attention even more. The book shows you calligraphy techniques and teaches you creative, historic lettering that will add a flourish to all your writing.

12

This Wine Glass Holder For Your Bathtub

Get cozy in your bathtub with this wine glass holder. Designed to hold both stemmed and stemless glasses, the holder suctions to your shower wall, so you can have your glass of pinot at the ready. And since it's made from silicone, it's entirely mold- and mildew-resistant.

13

This LED Shower Head That Changes Colors With The Water Temperature

Create party vibes in your shower with this handheld LED shower head that automatically changes colors every few seconds. The stainless steel shower head features an air jet design that maximizes the water pressure output as water flows through the nozzles.

14

The Exploding Kittens Card Game That's Tons Of Fun For All Ages

While the Exploding Kittens card game seems a bit wild, the makers guarantee that no actual kittens are harmed during the playing process. Perfect for ages 7 and up, the game gives you one goal: Do not get blown up by an exploding cat. Start with all cards facing down and take turns drawing one. If you pull an exploding cat, you're out of the game — unless you happen to have a "diffuse" card.

15

A Yoga Mat That'll Upgrade Your Home Workouts

Keep your mind and body nimble with at-home workouts on this yoga mat. The lightweight mat gives you just the right amount of cushioning and grip, so you can effortlessly move from tabletop position to downward dog. Choose from four colors: purple, green, blue, and pink.

16

The Waffle Maker That Lets You Make An Amazing Brunch At Home

Pull out the maple syrup and create restaurant level brunches at home with this highly-rated Belgian waffle maker. It features a nonstick coating that makes it easy to remove each waffle, and the overflow channels on the side ensure no batter spills onto your countertop. It comes in three diner-worthy colors: red, aqua, and black.

17

A VR Headset That Provides The Perfect Escape

The beauty of this virtual reality headset is that it grants you a moment of reprieve from the endless influx of news. Just secure it to your smartphone to play games or watch movies in 3-D. It's lightweight and features a touchscreen button and built-in microphone for game play.

18

This Coloring Book That's A Great Stress Reliever

When you're in need of some zen-style stress relief, turn to this adult coloring book. It has a total of 74 pages with intricate animal illustrations that'll keep you distracted and calm when life feels slightly overwhelming. Plus, the pages are thick enough to prevent color bleeding.

19

The Cocktail Book That Literature Lovers Will Adore

This cocktail recipe book has a literary bent: It's filled with a selection of 65 delicious cocktail recipes accompanied by entertaining commentary on some of the world's most famous and classic novels. This is perfect for the devoted reader, the English major, and the aspiring mixologist. And you know what? Go ahead and read each book while you're making the corresponding cocktail.

20

These Resistance Bands That Will Improve Your Workouts

Maintain your fitness goals with these power resistance bands. You can use them to target the calves, improve your glutes, or to challenge your upper body workouts. The set comes with three stretchy, multi-colored bands with different levels of resistance — work your way up to the strongest resistance over time.

21

The Book That Will Make You An Expert Bread Maker

If you're a lover of all things bread, allow me to introduce you to your new best friend: Flour Water Salt Yeast: The Fundamentals of Artisan Bread and Pizza. The New York Times bestselling baking guide is packed with delicious recipes for breads and pizzas from one of Portland's most revered bakers, so know your palate is in worthy hands. The book has ridiculously high ratings, and one reviewer wrote, "What was formerly a bit of a chore is now an art form and an opportunity to learn, smell, feel, engage, and interact with dough to create amazing breads." Hot tip: You'll want a 4-quart Dutch oven to go with this for baking.

22

An Ice Cream Maker For Your Sweet Tooth Cravings

Can you believe this ice cream maker can make a pint of ice cream, sorbet, gelato, or frozen yogurt in as little as 30 minutes? (Perfect for sudden cravings.) The one-touch button makes it easy to use, and it comes with a mixing spoon and a small recipe book to help you get started. Choose from aqua and red.

23

The Arcade Hoop That Will Take Game Night To The Next Level

When you're ready to give the card games a rest and be a bit more active, this foldable basketball arcade game will do just the trick. It comes with four rubber balls, two hoops, and an electronic scoring board. Choose from eight games as you go head-to-head with a competitor, or while shooting hoops during a solo session.

24

This Peeling Foot Mask That Will Leave You With Super Soft Skin

Treat yourself to the ultimate pedicure with these peeling foot masks. Simply slip the sock-like masks on and leave them in place for 60 minutes before removing. The gentle exfoliants work to remove rough skin over the course of four to six days, leaving you with significantly softer feet.

25

The Essential Oil Diffuser That Doubles As A Night Light

There's nothing I love more than a product that serves multiple purposes, which is why I'm sold on this essential oil diffuser that doubles as a night light. The diffuser can release mist continuously for up to six hours, or up to nine hours on intermittent mode, and the soft light gives off just the right amount of soothing glow.

26

This That Kit Lets You Create Your Own Bath Bombs

Haven't quite found a bath bomb that speaks to your body's needs? Try creating your own with these DIY bath bombs. The kit is packed with bath bomb mix, glitter, molds, dried flowers, moisturizing coconut oil, and lavender and vanilla essential oils for a heavenly scent. Follow the included instructions, and you'll be well on your way to bath time bliss.

27

A Bubble Mask That Exfoliates Skin And Improves Texture

Full disclosure: I'm completely obsessing over this K-beauty charcoal bubble mask that yes, literally bubbles up on your face. But it's not just fun — the mask also deeply cleanses, exfoliates skin, and removes blackheads. Plus, it contains no sulfates, mineral oils, or synthetic coloring agents, making it gentle enough for sensitive skin.

28

These Super Comfy Slides That Come In Tons Of Colors

These lightweight, waterproof slides just might be the perfect social distancing shoes, since you can shuffle around the house in them and then wear them out to do some gardening. The shoes feature arch support, treads, and two adjustable buckle straps. Choose from 49 colors and styles. One reviewer wrote, "For what I paid for these shoes, I did not expect much beyond the fun style. Instead, I’m pretty sure I just found my favorite summer shoe! These are insanely comfy and pretty darn cute too!"

  • Available sizes: women's 6 - 10

29

This Weighted Blanket That Helps You Fall Asleep Faster

When it comes to getting an extra bit of comfort, this weighted blanket delivers big time. It evenly distributes deep-touch pressure across your body, which can help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep, too. The gentle pressure also releases calming chemicals in your brain, so you'll feel a lot less anxious. Choose from 13 colors and patterns.

30

A Cocktail Set That'll Turn You Into A Mixologist

Craving a delicious cocktail (or just a stiff drink) while your favorite bar is closed? This cocktail set is here for you. The nine-piece set comes with a metal spoon, shaker, tongs, muddler, shot glass, strainer, metal shaker base, and a 20-ounce mixing glass with four imprinted recipes. Put this to work, and you'll give seasoned bartenders a run for their money.

31

An Exercise Ball That Will Improve Your Strength And Flexibility

I am a strong advocate for owning a stability ball. It's the perfect accessory to your daily workouts, as it helps to increase your flexibility while building strength and optimizing balance. The ball's anti-burst construction can withstand up to 2,200 pounds, and it comes with a pump for easy inflation.

32

This Kit That'll Have You Growing Your Own Herbs In No Time

Tired of running to the market just to grab some herbs for a recipe? Grow your own at home with this herb garden kit. Each kit comes with three pots and three organic seed packets for growing dill, rosemary, and basil. And as a bonus, you'll receive a "garden mama" embroidered towel.

33

The Water Bottle You Can Connect To Your Fitness Apps

This smart water bottle is absolutely revolutionary. The battery-operated bottle syncs to your favorite fitness apps, so you can track hydration throughout the day. But it gets better — the bottle actually glows to remind you to keep sipping. It's BPA-free, holds up to 20 ounces, and comes in six iridescent colors.

34

The Smart Color-Changing Light Bulbs

Let's keep the innovation train going with these smart light bulbs that are compatible with Alexa and Google Home Assistant. The pack of four includes color-changing bulbs that can be controlled by the sound of your voice or via an app on your phone, which means you can even turn the lights on when you're away.

35

The Blanket That You Can Wear As A Sweatshirt

I'm not sure there is another article of clothing in the entire world that's as comfortable as this wearable blanket sweatshirt. It's essentially an oversized hoodie lined in warm fleece, and it will transform the way you do movie nights at home on the couch. And I have to say — I'm a fan of that front pocket that's handy for stashing snacks. The one-size-fits-most comes in five color options.

36

An Enchanted Coloring Book That Requires You To Solve A Puzzle

This isn't your typical coloring book — the pages actually take you on a journey through an enchanted forest, and you have to find hidden objects along the way, so that you can solve a coloring puzzle in the pull-out poster at the end of the book. It's an awesome challenge and a great way to keep your mind stimulated during much needed screen breaks.

37

An Exercise Bar That You Can Mount To Your Doorway

If you can't make it to the gym, you can still build your upper body strength, thanks to this best selling pull up bar that fits neatly inside a doorway. Made from high-grade steel, it can withstand up to 220 pounds and features padded grips for wide, narrow, and neutral pull ups. It's versatile, too: You can also use it on the floor for sit-ups and dips. The bar is extendable, fitting doorways between 24 and 32 inches.

38

The Magnetic Phone Stand That's Totally Fuss Free

This tablet and phone holder is as low maintenance as it gets. Instead of having to hold your device while you FaceTime or watch videos, you can place it in the holder, then clip it onto the edge of your table or desk. Then, use the flexible gooseneck to get the perfect angle. It fits phone and tablets from 4 to 10.5 inches.

39

A Throwback S'mores Maker That'll Cheer You Right Up

Fully lean into good old-fashioned nostalgia with this s'mores maker. The flameless heater lets you roast marshmallows, while the compartments on the sides are perfect for storing graham crackers and chocolate. It even comes with two stainless steel forks for roasting — perfect for recreating those campfire nights.

40

The Bath Caddy That Will Elevate Your Routine Soak

This bath caddy is just the thing you need to take your baths to the next level. Made from eco-friendly bamboo, it features, compartments to store your toiletries, a stand for your tablet or novel, and a drink holder for a mug of tea or glass of wine. The arms are extendable from 28 to 41 inches, so the caddy will fit most tubs.

41

This Book That Will Change The Way You Organize Your Home

Now is the perfect time to declutter your home and Marie Kondo's The Life-Changing Magic Of Tidying Up is the greatest tool to help you accomplish that feat. Famous for its "spark joy" approach, the book takes you on an exploration of the Japanese art of decluttering, and guides you along as you make keep-it-or-throw-it decisions.

42

A Wine Filter That Helps Eliminate Unpleasant Side Effects

This wine filter wand is pure magic: Swirl it around your glass of wine for a few minutes and it'll remove the histamines and sulfites which have been found to cause congestion, flushing, and headaches. It's super easy to use and won't interfere with the flavor of your wine. Each order comes with 8. Now you can get back to enjoying that glass of cabernet.

This article was originally published on