This is a very selective list of tools that have changed my life. Most of them are centered around self care, healing, and DIY body work.
Straight up life hacks.
* This page may contain affiliate links.
Identity Theft Insurance
If you’ve ever had your identity stolen, or your email/social accounts hacked, you know how absolutely violating and traumatizing it is. This is exactly what happened to me a couple years ago.
An unknown hacker was able to chisel their way into one of my primary email accounts, and from there they were able to hack into multiple bank accounts of mine. Because they had access to my email, they were able to confirm changes to my banking accounts and control what notifications I was receiving about these changes. I didn’t notice the theft until 4 days in. By then, it was impossible to log in to my OWN accounts because the hacker had changed all the login credentials. It was also impossible to get on the phone with support quickly, since my credentials were no longer recognized by my financial institutions.
It’s for this reason that I subscribe to identity theft insurance and credit monitoring services. If I had had this insurance before the theft–I would have been 100% covered. That’s why it’s a no brainer for me now. I highly recommend it for anyone who exists in this modern (digital) age, and I welcome you to reach out to me for my personal recommendations of providers.
VPN (Virtual Private Network)
This recommendation goes hand-in-hand with my identity theft insurance rec. If you are a remote worker, or spend any time at all on public wifi (whether on your phone or on your computer), having a solid VPN is a must.
Without a VPN, hackers can gain access to your activity online which makes it much easier for them to target you. Installing VPNs on your devices is easy and pretty damn inexpensive. Some security programs or protection services even include a VPN. For instance, my identity theft insurance provides access to a VPN as part of the package, and a friend of mine gets free VPN access through his phone provider.
If you are a traveler or a digital nomad, this service is an absolute must-have.
It’s true that it can create problems for streaming services like Netflix and Hulu. Reach out to me for recommendations for VPNs that don’t effect your streaming accounts!
Shakti Mat / Pillow
Official Summary: This acupressure tool is a tension melter, and it’s a complete game changer on painful or stiff days. I use it everywhere. My favorite spot to use it is the neck and lower back, but I’ve even used it all around my head while battling a migraine and it’s incredible.
First, you will experience a prickly discomfort that is tempting to resist. Once you push through, the sensations melt into a tingly warmth, known as the addictive “Shakti burn”. After 20 minutes it’s time for the real reward—the full-body sensation kicks in, tension washes away and you’re ready for deep sleep.
I have linked you to the original Shakti brand pillow on Amazon, but there are plenty of knock off brands that do the job just fine and I’ve included a link to one of those too, in case you want to save some money!
Heated Jacket
Official Summary: I’m one of those people that are cold ALL the time. Wintertime is generally torture for me. I recently learned that there is such a thing as heated jackets, and I don’t know how I ever lived without one in the high desert winter.
The one I have has 3 different heating zones. One on the upper back, one in the lower front, and one around the neck. It’s also 800-down fill and has a detachable hood. I have never been more in love with an article of clothing. It allows three different heat settings, controlled by a button on the left chest. The jacket is battery-powered and the battery unplugs from the jacket to recharge with a standard charger via electrical outlet. Once the battery is recharged, you slip it into the jacket’s hidden pouch. Heat lasts between 6-10 hrs a day, depending on what setting you’re using.
I. Love. This. Ororo. Jacket.
They make many different types of jackets, including lighter shells, and fleece pullovers. Ororo also has heated vests of various materials and thickness.
Body Back Massager
Official Summary: Spending an hour with my Body Back massage cane is a close equivalent to an hour with my physical therapist and/or masseuse. There are many versions and brands of what most of us know as a Theracane, but so far, this Body Back is my favorite. It’s shape, and knobs designed for cervical relief hit in all the right places with minimal applied pressure. The leverage of the S shape allows for a huge amount of sedation with very little effort from the user.
This is the exact brand I own, and it’s made in the USA!
Cervical Traction Device
Official Summary: Last year I suffered a horrifically herniated disc in my cervical spine and this is the first tool I bought to help with my pain. This cervical traction device offers two different intensity levels and allows gentle self-administered traction to relief compressed or constricted discs.
I’ve seen these cervical traction “pillows” sold in many shapes and materials, but this one is my favorite. I recommend using this alongside the Shakti acupressure products I listed at the top of this page.
Brooks Running Shoes
Official Summary: I was a die-hard Solomon loyalist for about 14 years. But one day I went to replace a worn out pair of running shoes and started to wonder if there was something better out there for me…
The moment I put on my first pair of Brooks shoes was the moment I realized I would never buy a pair of Solomons again. I remember visiting my local Foot Zone where the salesman slipped a pair of these babies on me. It was like wearing clouds. They were the most comfortable shoes I’d ever worn. Instantly, right there in the store. No break in needed.
Since then, I’ve turned countless friends on to Brooks shoes, and tried several models. My favorite model is the Adrenaline series because it there’s extra support on the outside of the foot to discourage rolling. It helps me battle the instability caused from the genetic gifts that are my bunions.