Health and fitness
More Health and fitness Posts
The Pandemic Has Messed With Kids’ Sleep. Here’s How to Get Them Back on Schedule.
by Joanne Chen
For many families, the pandemic has thrown bedtime schedules out the window. We have expert advice on how to get kids back on track.
I Spent 54 Days in the NBA Bubble. Here’s the Gear I Couldn’t Live Without.
by Marc Stein
Sometimes it takes being in a quarantined magic kingdom to realize what you really can’t live without.
R.O. Kwon on the Resistance Bands She’s Been Using in Quarantine
by R.O. Kwon
The Incendiaries author kept these resistance bands in her carry-on and now uses them to strength-train at home.
How to Wash a Face Mask
by Joanne Chen and Alejandra Matos
All cloth face masks, no matter what kind of material they are made of, need to be washed often.
How I Rode 743 Miles All Over the World on My Favorite Bike—Without Leaving My Deck
by Christine Ryan
During shelter-in-place, riding bikes with friends seemed impossible...until an online game and a smart bike trainer came to the rescue.
Your Coronavirus Questions Answered
by Erin Price, Janet Towle, and Wirecutter Staff
We’re answering Wirecutter readers’ questions about COVID-19 and how to responsibly manage it in your day-to-day life.
Can Air Conditioning Transmit the Coronavirus?
by Thom Dunn
Here are experts’ strategies for staying cool and healthy this summer.
Workout Clothes Stink. Here’s How to Clean Them.
by Ingrid Skjong
Performance fabrics can present unique laundry challenges. Follow these tips to keep your workout clothes fresh, clean, and in good shape for the long haul.
Why Do Hand Sanitizers Suddenly Smell So Awful?
by Gregory Han
You’re not imagining it—some new sanitizers stink. Here’s what changed with the manufacturing process.
Why We’ve Taken Down Our Outdated Coronavirus Mask Coverage
by Wirecutter Staff
Official guidance for wearing face masks during the coronavirus pandemic has changed. Here’s why we’ve removed outdated mask coverage from our site.
Why Your Kids Can’t Sleep, and How to Help
by Joanne Chen
These are tough, tense times, and kids may have trouble falling asleep because of it. We have some real-world strategies for making bedtime less of a battle.
Feeling Stuck in Place? A Fitness Tracker Might Help Get You Moving.
by Ingrid Skjong
If your fitness goals feel out of reach right now, an activity tracker could help you get back on course by reminding you to move.
What a Wirecutter Writer (and Personal Trainer) Uses to Work Out at Home
by Ingrid Skjong
Our fitness writer shares the nine items she uses every day to help keep her workouts focused and on track.
Three Really Expensive Razors and Why You Might Want to Shave With Them
by Dan Koeppel
Entrepreneurs and inventors are rethinking shaving by combining the traditional with the modern.
The Best Options for Grocery Delivery During the Coronavirus Pandemic
by Lesley Stockton and Haley Sprankle
Here are some tips and resources for ordering groceries online at a time when delivery services are in high demand.
5 Cheap(ish) Things to Help With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
by Melanie Pinola
The good news is, you don’t have to spend a lot to alleviate this potentially debilitating and common condition.
You Don’t Need That Brass Touch Tool You Saw on Instagram
by Nick Guy
Brass and copper tools have started popping up all over Instagram, and although they might be antimicrobial, they probably aren’t what you need.
How the 1918 Flu Epidemic Created One of Today’s Biggest Fitness Crazes
by Dan Koeppel
As disease ravaged the world nearly 100 years ago, the inventor of Pilates claimed his exercise method saved people from the 1918 flu.
You Can Still Use Laundromats Safely During the Coronavirus Pandemic. Just Take a Few Precautions First.
by Jackie Reeve
Experts say you can still use the laundromat or a shared laundry room safely while sheltering in place during this pandemic—just take these precautions.
How to DIY Your Own Dumbbells, Weights, and More for Home Workouts
by Sally French
Fitness gear is sold out or on back order as many people adjust to working out at home. But you can still get in a good workout without specialized equipment.
How to Cut Your Own Hair (If You Absolutely Must)
by Dorie Chevlen
Considering a DIY cut? If you can’t get to the salon, here are the tips and tools four professional stylists recommend to deal with unruly hair at home.
The History of Soap
by Dan Koeppel
Soap works—and has for thousands of years. Here’s why, and how it came to be.
The Best Soap for the Coronavirus? Any Real Soap.
by Ria Misra
Bar or liquid? Antibacterial or not? Mass-produced or “natural”? To slow the spread of the coronavirus, any kind of soap will do—as long as you use it correctly.
22 Free Workouts You Can Do at Home Right Now
by Ingrid Skjong
Social distancing may thwart your preferred exercise plans. Here are 22 apps, YouTube channels, and streaming services offering no-cost workouts.
How to Dye Your Hair at Home (Even Though You Probably Shouldn’t)
by Lesley Stockton
If you’re up for temporary solutions, these are the stylist-approved at-home hair dye options that are less likely to damage your hair.
5 Ways to Beat Coronavirus Anxiety So You Can Sleep
by Joanne Chen
Can’t sleep? Try these expert-recommended anxiety reducers.
Kids Exercise Videos to Help Keep Your Family Moving (and Sane)
by Ingrid Skjong
Free online exercise videos can help everyone from toddlers to teenagers stay active and calm during a coronavirus self-quarantine. These are our favorites.
3 Ways to Thank and Support Essential Workers
by Ellen Airhart and Elissa Sanci
Show your appreciation by checking in, cooking (or ordering) delivery meals, and choosing gifts they can use right now.
Have a 3D Printer? You Can Use It to Make Face Shields for Medical Workers
by Signe Brewster
If you are looking for a way to help medical workers get personal protective gear, there are local, organized efforts that 3D-printing hobbyists can join.
It’s Still Safe to Order Food Delivery From Restaurants. Just Take These Basic Precautions.
by Ganda Suthivarakom
You may not need to sanitize the food that arrives from delivery or takeout, but you should definitely be washing your hands.
Don’t Overdo the Coronavirus Stockpiling
by Ganda Suthivarakom
Tips on why and how to shop for food responsibly, without overstocking your bunker.
Should You Sanitize Your Groceries?
by Michael Sullivan
What you need to know about handling grocery bags, packaged food, and produce after you return from the store.
People Are Sewing Face Masks for Medical Workers. Should They?
by Signe Brewster
As a last-resort measure, some hospitals would consider using homemade masks for patients who don’t have COVID-19.
A Brief History of Quarantines
by Dan Koeppel
Isolating the sick and maybe-sick is nothing new. It’s hard, but history shows it often works.
How to Eat and Snack Smartly When You’re Working From Home All Day
by Nick Guy
We’ve been working from home for years. Here’s what we’ve learned about shopping for food, scheduling daily meal times, and prepping food for the week.
How to Handle Packages During the Coronavirus Pandemic
by Ganda Suthivarakom
Be cautious and careful. But there’s no need to go overboard with panic.
Our Favorite STEM Toys for Kids Stuck at Home During Coronavirus
by Signe Brewster
For kids stuck at home right now, STEM toys and kits can offer open-ended and educational exploration. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorites.
Out of Toilet Paper? You Have Other Options. Just Don’t Flush Them!
by Doug Mahoney
Here’s how to handle TP scarcity without ruining your local water treatment systems.
Discover Your Ideal Sleep Position—Then, Train Your Body to Use It
by Dan Koeppel
Changing your sleep position can change your life. Here’s how you can do it.
4 Ways Wirecutter Staffers Spark Joy While Working From Home
by Sarah Witman
These are the tried-and-true strategies of our experienced work-from-home team to make working from home suck less.
What to Do If You Can’t Buy a Top-Rated Thermometer Right Now
by Wirecutter Staff
Our thermometer picks are either out of stock or extra expensive right now. But you still have options.
Stay Focused While Working From Home With Apps the Wirecutter Staff Uses
by Signe Brewster
Staying focused at work is hard, and it becomes harder when you’re unexpectedly working from home. Here are five apps to help you stay on task in trying times.
How to Properly Care for a Sick Person at Home (and Not Get Sick Yourself)
by Ellen Airhart and Christina Colizza
If you’re taking care of an ill person at home, you should prep your space with a “hot zone” to keep the virus as contained as possible.
Which Common Household Cleaners Work Against the Coronavirus?
by Christina Colizza
Check this EPA-approved list of common household disinfectants that neutralize the coronavirus, before you buy any more cleaning supplies.
You’re at Home. The News Is Intense. Make Time for Self-Care.
by Ingrid Skjong
Whether you’re self-quarantined or social distancing, you may be spending more time than ever at home. Here’s how to care for your mind and body.
How to Be Social While Social Distancing During the Coronavirus Pandemic
by Tim Barribeau
Advice from a professional shut-in on how to maintain social relationships while you’re not in the same space as your friends.
Dry Skin From Coronavirus Handwashing? Here’s What Dermatologists Recommend.
by Ganda Suthivarakom
All this extra handwashing may dry your hands. Lotions, creams, and ointments can help.
5 Ways to Help Your Community Combat Coronavirus (While Still Social Distancing)
by Ria Misra
In addition to isolating, here are five ways you can help your neighbors and community.
What Is Prop 65? And Why Is There a Warning Label on This Thing I Bought?
by Ganda Suthivarakom
Our readers have noticed a spike in alarming warning labels that are showing up on things they’ve purchased online. Here’s what’s going on.
What ‘Coronavirus Supplies’ Should You Have at Home? The Same Things You Always Should.
by James Austin
Being prepared is smart! Panicked hoarding, not so much.
Coronavirus Has Caused a Hand Sanitizer Shortage. What Should You Do?
by Ganda Suthivarakom
Using hand sanitizer is one of the only legit ways to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. So what do you do when Purell is sold out?