Lifestyle

Top 20 New Year Gifts for Stressed-Out Folks

Published

11 months ago

January 5, 2023

The new year is a blank slate, a time to kickstart all those new plans swimming around in your head. Still, after the holiday season and working hard year-round, many people are spent. If you’re looking to get a gift for the go-getter in your life who’s a bit burnt out, this is the gift guide for you. Help them accomplish their new year goals while getting some R&R at the same time.

1. Stress Wearable

Wearable technology is making amazing strides. Not only can you track your vitals during a workout – now you can track how well you slept or how calm your nervous system is. There are countless ones on the market like Apollo, WHOOP, and Rise Science Sleep Tracker. If you know someone who wants to get a hold of their sleep cycles and daily stress levels, a wearable can provide support.

2. Linens

There’s something about quality sheets that just makes everything ok again. After a long day of work and stress, flopping down on luxurious sheets is certainly better than flopping down on old, uncomfortable ones. These sheets are light and breezy and made to last.

3. Meditation App Subscription

Meditation is a good habit with tons of research-backed benefits. But it’s also a practice – the more you do, the better it gets. An app subscription is a great way to support someone while gently encouraging them to stick to good habits.

4. Good Tea

Anybody can buy themselves tea from the grocery store. That’s why when you’re giving a gift, you gotta go for top-shelf tea. It’s perfect for someone who’s trying to rely less on coffee or someone who just loves good tea in the winter.

5. Journal

Like meditation, journaling is often touted as a must-do daily self-development practice. But it’s easy to forget or get bored writing the same old stuff. Journals can be fit to match the individual. There are dream journals, goal-setting journals, gratitude journals, bullet journals, etc. The Best Journal Ever has a bit of everything, which makes it a great gift.

6. White Noise Machine

Most people are particular about how they like to fall asleep – eg. total darkness vs nightlight, watching tv vs silence. If you know someone who sleeps much better with subtle background noise, they’ll love you for this gift. White noise isn’t especially disturbing, so even if they’re bunking with silence lovers, they might not mind.

7. Decision-Making Wheel

An often-forgotten element of being stressed is decision fatigue. Even if we’re not working very hard physically, our brains may feel like they’re on fire after a day of decisions. Research estimates that the average person makes over 30,000 choices per day – likely much more than we had to make in the old days. This decision-maker tool can serve as a joke gift or even a real tool for the recipient to rely on. Boards are customizable so users can quickly decide what they’re having for dinner, what activity to do next, etc.

8. Quality Blanket

Weighted blankets, heated blankets, jumbo blankets, furry blankets – There’s no limit to the ways you can destress with a blanket. This blanket is touted by Puffy as the “softest blanket ever.” We’ll let you be the judge. Your recipient gets a 101-day trial (and a lifetime warranty should anything go fatally wrong with your Puffy blanket).

9. Sensory Deprivation Kit

Stress relief products are often focused around the senses – aromatherapy candles, warm blankets, back massagers. But this is quite the opposite. By depriving our senses of any input, we can actually enter a state of profound rest. If there isn’t a float tank in your area, this float kit is the next best thing.

10. Blue Light Glasses

Nowadays, life is lived via screens. Between office work, online education, social media, and dating apps, more and more elements of our lives are being digitized. Whether you think this is good or bad, your eyes are probably not so excited about it. Blocking blue light is one way to make screen time less irritating on the eyes. These ones by Goodr are affordable and get the job done.

11. Spa in a Box Set

A lot of people resist the idea of a spa day, but that’s a surefire indicator that they probably need one. For the spa-hesistant friend or family member, a spa-in-a-box will do the trick. This will allow them to get comfortable pampering themselves without a stranger putting cucumbers on their eyes.

12. Lavender Eye Mask

What’s better than blindfolding yourself and drifting off to sleep? Doing it with the relaxing scent of lavender, of course. These lavender sleep masks put you in the zone for relaxation.

13. Yin Yoga Pillow

It’s important to remember that yoga doesn’t always have to be an intense workout. For the yoga-lover in your life, encourage them to practice restorative positions with a yin yoga bolster. It allows you to deepen various stretches while getting some cushioned support.

14. Chill the F Out Supplement

This Apothekary supplement is making waves around the internet as the answer to everyone’s prayers. For the health nut or natural medicine lover in your life, this is a good bet. The powder contains reishi and ashwagandha, both known for their medicinal properties.

15. Massager

Massagers aren’t the sort of thing you buy for yourself. It’s the kind of thing you don’t think you need until you get one and find yourself using it constantly. Massagers have come a long way and this RAEMAO got a solid 5 stars on Amazon – an achievement indeed.

16. Tea Tree Oil Foot Soak

Combining the tingly, soothing feel of tea tree on your skin with a warm footbath? Genius. This is the perfect stocking stuffer for someone who’s always complaining about their sore feet.

17. Therapy Dough

This essential oil-infused play dough isn’t marketed to kids. It’s for stressed-out adults who want to relive a bit of childhood glee. This gift is great for chronic fidgeters or anyone who needs a little stress relief technique to keep at their work desk.

18. Muscle Rub

There are those who need muscle ointment and those who NEED muscle ointment. In any case, once you apply it, you’ll be in heaven. Chronically sore and achy muscles are soothed in just minutes. Again, a perfect stocking stuffer for hard workers who need some R&R.

19. Bath Bombs

You’re either a bath bomb person or you’re totally not. If you know a bath bomb enthusiast, this is the ideal gift for them.

20. Ax Throwing Kit

If the soothing suggestions above don’t quite cut the tension, a round of ax-throwing should do the trick. It’s perfect for those who prefer more rugged stress relief techniques. Just remember to teach the recipient some safety precautions before handing over this gift.

And for other gift ideas, check out more here at Owner’s Mag!

Lifestyle

The Best Robot Vacuum of 2023

Published

4 months ago

August 17, 2023

Amaya Maravilla

Are you looking to maintain spotless floors effortlessly? With robot vacuums becoming increasingly capable and budget-friendly, these top-tested models can ease your household maintenance task. However, finding the right robot vacuum is easier said than done. We’ve curated a list to help you choose the best robot vacuum of 2023.

1. Roborock S8

The Roborock S8 is our number one best robot vacuum of 2023. It is the top tier of Roborock’s extensive collection of robot vacuums. This model is an upgraded version of the existing Roboroc S7 MaxV. Roborock has a dual-sensor mapping, hazard recognition system, and a more powerful suction motor. Likewise, its new cleaning head with twin rubber rollers is more resistant to hair wraps. The build quality is also excellent and easy to maintain, allowing a smart, effortless cleaning experience.

Pros:

Excellent performance on bare floors
Relatively easy to maintain
A wide array of cleaning configuration options
Impressively effective mopping system

Cons:

Expensive

Price: $999.99

2. Dreametech DreameBot D10 Plus

Here comes a mid-priced robot vacuum and mop with an auto-empty station. The Dreametech Dreame Bot D10 Plus two-in-one robot vacuum is an efficient workhorse of a robot vacuum that also has a mopping module for hard floors. It has an auto-empty station that will empty its onboard dustbin into a giant bag that can be emptied in 30 days.

For anyone wanting hands-free sweeping and mopping, the Dreame Bot D10 is a must-have. It will sweep your floor to the schedule you wish to daily or even multiple times per day. Just set the schedule and forget that it is there. If you have hard flooring, fill the 145ml water tank with clean water, which will mop your hard floors.

Pros:

Real-time smart tracking
Auto-empty
Voice notifications
Strong suction

Cons:

Large charging dock
App download required
Water-only mopping

Price: $399.99

3. Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra

Our next featured item is one of today’s most advanced robot vacuum cleaners. It can mop and vacuum floors simultaneously while requiring minimal human intervention. In addition, its built-in camera allows the robot to identify obstacles precisely. As one of the original models on the market with a self-cleaning dock, the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra has two water tanks and can wash the robot’s mop.

Pros:

Great cleaning performance
Efficient self-cleaning
Good navigation
Clever mop mechanism

Cons:

Bulky dock
Cable and small obstacle detection isn’t great
Expensive
No consumables included in the box

Price: $1,086

4. Bob Sweep PetHair SLAM

The Bob Sweep Pet Hair Slam robot vacuum is designed to tackle the challenge of pet hair and general debris on your floors. SLAM stands for Simultaneous Localization and Mapping. With laser vision and state-of-the-art mapping and localizing technology, Bob creates a map of his surroundings and plans the best cleaning path, providing full cleaning coverage of the entire house. Its advanced features make it stand out in the market of automated cleaning solutions.

Pros:

Pet Hair Expertise
Powerful Suction
Advanced Navigation
App Control
HEPA Filtration

Cons:

It is relatively pricier compared to some other robot vacuum options on the market
Learning Curve

Price: $619.99

5. Shark AI Ultra™ 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum and Mop

This model from Shark is similar to other vacuum-and-mop combos, effectively cleaning floors. It has an easy-to-use app for cleaning a room or a specific area. The app is used for turning on the robot vacuum to clean even when you’re not home.

Pros:

Excellent vacuuming and mopping power
The app is easy to use
It can be set to clean when you’re not home

Cons:

Expensive
Battery life and charging speed are not comparable with other robot vacuums
Starter cleaning solution may not last a long time

Price: $699.99

6. iRobot Roomba 694

The iRobot Roomba 694 is the most affordable product on our list. Even without advanced navigation technology, it captured dust and pet hair. It offers slightly better battery life than its excellent predecessor, the Roomba 675.

Pros:

Affordable
Rarely gets stuck
Seamless app setup
Supports Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant voice control
Allows for scheduled cleanings
Detects and focuses on heavily soiled areas

Cons:

Loud
Missed some debris on carpets in testing
Lacks smart navigation and mapping abilities
No carrying handle

Price: $179.00

7. Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo T8 AIVI

This feature-rich hybrid vacuum and mop uses artificial intelligence to detect and avoid many obstacles other robot vacuums wouldn’t get.

The Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo T8 AIVI combines powerful cleaning capabilities with artificial intelligence and visual interpretation (AIVI) technology. This enables the robot to vacuum and mop different floor surfaces effectively and identify and avoid obstacles like shoes, cables, and pet waste.

Pros:

Automatically recognizes and avoids obstacles
Exceptional battery life
Allows for remote home monitoring with a built-in camera
Supports virtual boundaries
Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice support

Cons:

Expensive
Mops with water, not cleaning solution
Moderate learning curve

Price: $400.99

8. Eufy RoboVac G30

Measuring 12.8 inches in diameter, the Eufy RoboVac G30 is one of the smallest robot vacuums we’ve tested. It can clean where many other robot vacuums won’t fit, like under couches. The RoboVac G30 smartly navigates your home, cleaning in orderly lines instead of randomly bouncing from wall to wall like some other affordable models.

Pros:

Compact, low-profile design
Strong suction power for its size
Well-designed app
Easy to set up and use
Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
Features smart navigation for systematic cleaning

Cons:

It doesn’t support strips or virtual boundaries
Battery life is on the short side

Price: $400.99

Conclusion

Do you agree with our line-up and pick your own choice of the best robot vacuum of 2023? As mentioned earlier, these smart vacuums can clean different types of floors and even adapt to our schedules. They have cool features like maps of our homes and can be controlled with our phones. But remember, these advanced robots might be expensive, and setting them up could take some time. Still, they’re a big step towards having homes that stay clean with less effort.

Explore Owner’s Mag for more product and service reviews.

Lifestyle

Sweet Dreams Await: The Best Mattresses of 2023

Published

4 months ago

August 16, 2023

Carmen Day

Welcome to a comprehensive guide that will transform your nights into a haven of unparalleled comfort and rejuvenation.

These days, finding the perfect mattress has become an art that combines science, sleep technology, and the pursuit of the ultimate slumber experience. Over the years, a myriad of mattresses have emerged, each promising to be the key to unlocking the realm of sweet dreams.

In this article, we’ll explore the best mattresses in the market in terms of design, material advancements, and personalized sleep solutions, helping you make an informed choice for a restful and revitalizing night’s rest.

1. Saatva Classic Mattress

Do you wake up with a sweaty back? Then the Saatva Classic Mattress may be your new bed buddy.

That’s because it’s made up of springs and foam; it’s perfect if you want the body-hugging effect. Plus, it’s best for different sleepers because of its various firm levels, namely plush, luxury, and firm. The price can be from $995 to $2710, depending on the firmness.

2. Helix Dusk Luxe

Another best mattress of 2023 is the Helix Dusk Luxe. This mattress is not too firm, and its medium support level is excellent for combination sleepers. The model is a hybrid one, with layers of foam over carefully placed coils to provide soft yet firm cushioning.

Oh, and if you love luxury items, you’ll love their features, like a moisture-wicking cover, ergonomic zones, and a built-in pillowtop for support. Finally, the cost of the Helix Dusk Luxe ranges from $1,099 to $2,349.

3. Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Cloud

Many hail Tempur’s classic memory foam mattress as the best luxury mattress. The Tempur-Cloud is a more affordable model that offers pressure relief for a low-cost price. The bed comprises three layers of proprietary foam that are great for taking the pressure off your spine, lower back, and hips.

The more you use the mattress, the more comfortable it gets. That’s because the foam adapts to your body shape for a snug fit! Plus, it’s currently on discount for $1,399.

4. Bear Elite Hybrid

Looking for the best mattress for back pain? That’s Bear Elite Hybrid. Aside from relieving your sore muscles, it has an adaptive cushion that promotes muscle recovery. This makes the Bear Elite Hybrid the best choice for people with active lifestyles.

Its other features include a cover that keeps you cool at night and a foil-over-coil design to provide cushioned support. Finally, it retails from anywhere between $1,721 to $3,565.

5. Leesa Studio Mattress

Wondering what the best affordable mattress is? It’s the Leesa Studio Mattress. With this low-cost option, you’re not sacrificing anything–not even the air quality in your home. Why? The Leesa Studio is Greenguard Gold-certified, meaning it has low emissions and likely won’t release a gassy smell.

This mattress comes with a knit cover to help prevent moisture. The model is firm but can sink when you first lie down, making it a great choice for stomach sleepers. The mattress is currently on discount for $749.

6. Casper Original Mattress

One of the best mattresses for side sleepers comes in a box. The Casper Original Mattress is a must-have for people who want a quick bedroom set-up.

Don’t let the packaging fool you. This memory foam mattress isn’t just an easy DIY set-up; like other luxury mattresses, it has zone layers designed for spine alignment. Plus, the mattress is currently $1,036 at Amazon.

7. Tuft and Needly T&N Original Mattress

Need a luxury-like mattress for the bedroom? The Tuft and Needly T&N Original Mattress is the one you’re looking for.

In fact, the mattress has an adaptive foam that contours your body. In addition, it’s got a graphic and ceramic gel in the foams to help regulate your body heat. So overall, this is the best mattress of 2023 that won’t break the bank. The mattress is currently on sale for $780 at Amazon.

8. The WinkBed

Want a mattress that reduces spine soreness? Check out The WinkBed. This is the best mattress of 2023 to soothe that pressure point. The mattress is made of polyfoam and pocketed coils, divided into zones based on gauge and strength.

The coils even wrap around the mattress to prevent sinking, so you can enjoy stable support. Finally, the spaces between the coils allow air circulation, so it’s a great option for sweaty sleepers. Because of the premium features, the mattress retails for $1,499.

9. Nolah Evolution 15

Thick mattresses are always either a hit or miss. Most people might like their plushness, but they often feel too soft. But the Nolah Evolution 15 isn’t like that. In fact, it’s got strong and stable support, making it the best mattress for side sleepers.

Oh, and because of the balance of cushioning, they even provide spinal alignment and prevent sores in your shoulders and hips. The mattress is currently on discount at $1,699.

10. Avocado Green Mattress

Last but not least, here’s a latex mattress option that’s both eco-friendly and suitable for people with allergies. For context, latex is an excellent alternative to memory foam mattresses because it’s naturally hypoallergenic.

For latex mattress lovers, this Avocado Green Mattress is the best mattress of 2023 for back sleepers prone to allergies. It has over a thousand coils arranged in specific zones for targeted support and firmness that’s great for back sleepers. The Green Mattress is available for $1,999 at Amazon.

BONUS: Eight Sleep Pod 3

Promoted as the ultimate solution for enhancing sleep quality, Pod 3 is Eight Sleep’s latest iteration of the Pod series. This new product integrates innovative, dynamic cooling technology into the sleep environment, offering an unparalleled sleep experience.

Serving as a remarkably advanced mattress cover, the Pod 3 boasts an array of sophisticated technologies specifically designed to regulate temperature with exceptional efficiency. The Pod 3 employs Temperature Autopilot, a feature that automatically configures the ideal temperature for an individual’s entire night of rest, thus promoting optimal sleep conditions.

Selecting the ideal mattress is a deeply individual journey that hinges on your unique preferences, sleep habits, and physical needs.

For one, Your preferred sleep position is pivotal in determining the level of support and comfort you require. In addition, materials can also make a world of difference – from memory foam and latex to innerspring and hybrid designs. Each material offers distinct advantages: pressure relief, motion isolation, or cooling properties.

Whether you find solace in the embrace of memory foam, the bounce of innerspring, or the natural resilience of latex, the mattress you choose will play an integral role in shaping your nights and, ultimately, your days.

Lifestyle

AI in Healthcare: Advantages and Limitations

Published

5 months ago

July 13, 2023

Skylar Lee

Artificial intelligence (AI) is prevalent across various industries. It’s also integrated into the healthcare industry, helping providers and patients. But with the emergence of AI, is it doing more harm than good? We explore AI in healthcare below. Plus, we list AI-powered apps to help you with your health.

Advantages of AI in Healthcare

Automate Administrative Work

Healthcare providers can be swamped with administrative work in one day. That could take precious minutes off their day to help patients. But with AI’s help, they can reduce hours of administrative work and depend on AI to organize notes and data in a few seconds. Additionally, AI can help providers send reminders or notify patients about bills and insurance.

Access to Basic Mental Health Help

Going to therapy can be expensive. Although experts encourage patients to reach out to mental health providers for diagnosis and treatment, some AI chatbots can help patients with their mental health state. For example, if a patient is feeling sad at the moment and want someone to talk to immediately, an AI can follow a CBT-based framework to help the patient with their present emotions.

Analyze Trends and Data

Another benefit of AI in healthcare is helping healthcare providers with insights and data that take time to evaluate. For example, AI can identify possible diagnoses in a couple of minutes, saving patients’ lives sooner. Additionally, data can improve the patient-doctor relationship through communication and monitoring patient health without the need for an immediate consultation.

Limitations of AI in Healthcare

Diagnostic Concerns

Since AI can be trained to organize and analyze data, an AI may provide diagnostic information to patients. However, AI can provide inaccurate diagnostic information, making patients anxious or worried about their health.

That’s why AI should be trained extensively in this area. Or doctors should review AI’s suggested diagnoses before it reaches the patient. Some experts have said that AI should provide links to where it obtained data to ensure it doesn’t misdiagnose patients.

Data Privacy

One concern about using AI in the healthcare industry is the patients’ private data.

Strict rules are enforced to ensure that patient data is protected by organizations and compliant software applications. Although AI can be a helpful tool in analyzing patient data, it’s possible that AI could still make mistakes, especially if it’s untrained. It can make an error in showing the wrong patient data to another or analyzing data meant for another patient.

Lack of Empathy

AI can play a big role in patient care, especially in mental health. However, considering AI isn’t human, it will not grasp the idea of emotion. Sure, it could be trained with how emotions work. But it cannot empathize with a human when it’s experiencing emotional distress. It’s important to work in conjunction with a mental health professional to help you tackle your mental health concerns.

AI-assisted or AI-powered Health Apps

Note: All AI-powered apps on this list are safe to use and ensure that your data is secure.

Merative

Formerly IBM Watson Health, Merative is an all-in-one AI solution for hospitals, clinics, and other health institutions. An advantage of using Merative is making better decisions and enhancing the patient experience. Plus, it helps in imaging (radiology and cardiology) to create efficient and scalable workflows.

Even though Merative is ideal for health and government organizations, businesses can benefit from this too. They provide solutions for making better health decisions, such as insurance and health programs, for employees leading to happier and healthier employees.

ADA

If you want a personal AI-powered health app, ADA is one of the best options. What ADA can help you with is understanding and managing your symptoms. The AI suggests conditions based on what the users have submitted. After that, doctors review what the AI suggests. Finally, users learn possible conditions that they can show to their physician.

Babylon Health

If you want an alternative to ADA, you should consider subscribing to Babylon Health. Although their AI focuses on helping their doctors give proper care to patients, you can use Babylon Health to check symptoms too. But with Babylon Health, you can connect to a physician directly and set an appointment. Aside from this, Babylon Health can provide you with health insights.

Buoy

Buoy is another AI symptom health checker. However, Buoy ensures that they’ll be with you every step of the way. They can help you schedule an appointment with a doctor and to monitor your progress. Another thing to note is Buoy is community-based so that you can share your experience with other Buoy users too.

Youper

Youper is the first on our list of AI mental health apps. It’s an all-in-one solution for patients, employers, and mental health providers. The app has served over 2,000,000 patients and improved their patients’ well-being. Additionally, the AI runs on an evidence-based framework for helping patients manage their mental health.

Woebot

Are you not feeling great and just want to talk to someone immediately about what you’re currently feeling? Woebot is another AI mental health chatbot to consider. The Woebot AI will train with you by talking to you and checking in with you. Additionally, the AI provides personalized advice and action-oriented solutions to help you. You can download Woebot on Google Play or App Store.

Florence

If your goal is to become healthier in life, Florence is one of the best AI apps for that purpose. Are you forgetful when drinking your meds? Florence can remind you when to take them. You can also keep track of your health, like your mood, weight, and periods. Finally, you can rely on Florence if you need to buy medication and find a doctor.

Key Takeaways

AI has made significant strides in the healthcare industry. Providers can get more work done and assist more patients with their concerns. Meanwhile, patients can use AI to get suggestions about their concerns or access to basic mental health needs like talk therapy. While AI has impressed patients and providers, it still has a long way to go in providing more accurate data and empathizing with humans to enhance their experience.