5 ways tech can help you stay sane while you stay home

I can’t stop thinking that I am in the middle of a thriller about a sinister virus that causes a global pandemic. But this is no made-for-Hollywood screenplay. It’s a real catastrophe.

Many people are dealing with frustrating tech challenges while trying to find a new normal. You can Google anything; it’s just that you never know if the search results are legit. That’s why, in my Komando Community, I’m helping readers and listeners just like you get answers to their tech questions.

Whether it’s an issue you’re having trouble with working remotely or trying to figure something out, you can leave questions on our forum for me and a team of experts to answer. You’ll also be able to listen to my most recent national radio show and have access to the past three months of shows.

But if you’re just going a little stir-crazy, tech will do wonders to bring back some semblance of your previous life. Let me show you how you can use certain apps, sites and tools.

1. Reach out and see someone

To flatten the curve, we’re all staying home. This drastic change is tough, especially for close-knit families and people accustomed to working as a team. Remember, a text is nice but seeing someone’s face takes communication to a different level.

If you have an Apple device, there’s FaceTime. It’s straightforward to use. Simply select your contact’s phone number or Apple ID and then Video. You can connect to up to 32 people at once. The bummer is it only works with other Apple devices.

For times when everyone is not in the Apple camp, there are other options. Microsoft’s Skype has been synonymous with video calling for many years and supports calls for up to 10 people. It’s simple to set up and works on Mac, Windows, Android and even some Linux machines.

Google Duo works on Android and iOS devices and supports calls for up to eight people. It also has a feature called Knock Knock. When you make a call, the person you’re calling sees a live video preview of you before they answer — just something to keep in mind.

Facebook Messenger works well because it’s likely everyone you know is already on Facebook. You can group video chat with up to six people; however, 50 more people can listen in on the call and send emojis, GIFs and stickers during the call. In the Messenger app, just tap Groups to get started.

You’ll find the apps above in Apple’s App Store or Google Play. Since the kids are home, schedule regular daily or weekly calls with any elderly family members, friends and neighbors. If you’re working from home, have a morning video call with your team members to start the day and maybe another one later on.

2. Get in shape for free

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This tasking tool isn't a day planner – It's a life planner

Every day, there’s a new gadget or a supposedly better version of an old one. We’re surrounded by widgets and programs promising to make it easier for us to commute, communicate, clean and more.

But technology hasn’t really answered the big-picture question: With all these time-saving devices around, why are we still so busy?

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Feel-good finds

💪 Staying healthy isn’t always easy. These picks actually help.

  • 🎧 From gym to nap: These Bluetooth sleep headphones (24% off) double as a soft headband for your workouts.
  • 🛏️ No chiropractor? No problem, a roll pillow (13% off) supports your neck, back and legs. Bonus: washable cover.
  • 🏋️ Mini bands = major gains: Resistance bands (33% off), level up home workouts. 4.7 stars with 10,000+ reviews.
  • 🧊 Icy relief: Snag an ice pack ($26) that wraps around your neck like a scarf. Way better than a lumpy bag of peas.
  • 📉 Tracking made easy: This body measuring tape (17% off) syncs with your phone to keep you motivated.
  • ❤️ Your heart’s in good hands: Get a chest strap monitor (10% off) that pairs with your favorite fitness apps.

🍽️ Healthy starts in the kitchen: Click here for the tools I count on to cook better, eat cleaner and save time.

💪 Wanna get in shape? Ask your favorite AI chatbot to create a custom fitness plan. Try this: “Create a 30-day fitness plan for fat loss and muscle gain tailored to a [male/female] beginner at [your age].” Or get specific: “Create a four-week fitness plan to help me run a mile for the first time.” Don’t sweat it.

Make AI your fitness coach

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You don’t need an expensive gym membership to get a workout in. All you need is ChatGPT.

🧠 New Gen Z term to know: “Locking in.” If someone you know uses that phrase, it means they are cutting out distractions to focus on a personal goal. Think quitting social media, skipping parties and going all-in on fitness or making money. My dad used to call it “a kick in the a$$.”

Up over 2%

Shares of Primo Brands after Saratoga water went viral. The hype started when fitness influencer Ashton Hall dunked his head in a bowl of it for his morning routine. Now, 100 million views later, folks are rushing to buy it and bananas since he rubs the peels on his face.

Sore today, zen tomorrow

🏋️ You move, you sweat, you rest. I’ll help you with all three.

  • Work out anywhere with some resistance bands (10% off).
  • These clamps (33% off) keep slippery barbells in place.
  • Put your shower stuff in a mesh bag (20% off) that dries fast.
  • Unwind with a foot massager (29% off) after a long day.
  • This ice pack (20% off) molds to your body for pain relief.

🌧️ Muggy air? Get a dehumidifier (36% off) to pull the damp right out. Bonus: The color-changing light gives a total spa vibe.

🏋️‍♀️ Meet me at the bar

The weather’s warming up and so are these fitness finds. Summer bodies are made in spring … or at least added to cart in spring.

  • Get more than just your weight with a smart scale (17% off) that syncs to health apps. Step on, scream, repeat.
  • Resistance bands (36% off) are great for stretching and strength workouts, or launching snacks across the kitchen. 
  • I love Pilates. An exercise ball ($20) takes it up a notch.
  • Nonslip socks ($14) help keep you steady in a bunch of colors. Basically tires for your feet.
  • Snag a gym bag for women (48% off) or men with a USB port to charge your phone, headphones or whatever.

I ♥️ this: Track your heart health at home with a blood pressure monitor (23% off) or a less-expensive ECG monitor (18% off).

I’m scratching my head on this one: People who use a Garmin smartwatch are upset about a monthly fee, and it’s not that they are still using a Garmin. The app’s new AI health and fitness tracking tools cost $6.99 a month ($69.99 per year). Apple Watch, anyone?

This is not humerus

👩‍⚕️ Feeling your best is serious

😉 You deserve extra: Click here to explore even more health and fitness goodies you didn’t know you were missing.

💘 Dating apps are out: My son has been telling me this for years. Folks are still finding love online but through shared interests and hobbies instead. Nate and Jess developed a long-distance relationship playing World of Warcraft. And it’s not just gaming. People are meeting through fitness apps like Strava, too, and social media DMs.

Gotta close my rings: Fitness influencers are all over a new “hack” for more accurate step tracking: Strapping a smartwatch to your ankle instead of your wrist. One woman tried it with a 10-minute jaunt around Target. On her wrist, the watch recorded 91 steps; on her ankle, 835 steps. If you try it, know you’re losing out on features like heart rate and CO2 tracking. Another downside is you look like a prisoner with an ankle monitor.

Start 2025 right

💪 Focused on your health in the new year? Grab your supplies now!

  • Not into going to the gym? A dumbbell set is perfect for at-home workouts.
  • Walking is one of my favorite ways to move. Replace your worn-out sneakers — options for guys and gals.
  • Get your protein on with an easy-to-use personal blender.
  • Keep your calories in check with a food scale. This one has an app with a nutritional calculator.
  • I love doing Pilates to get strong. Grippy socks are great and work for barre and yoga, too.

Why even the pros are dumping their fitness trackers

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Do you measure the steps you take every day? Here’s why that could be a thing of the past. 

Smart car privacy hack, top fitness apps, worst iPhone alarms to wake up to

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Want to take a nap in your self-driving car? You might wake up in the middle of a police chase. Plus, a mom cyberbullied her daughter for a year, police used DNA evidence to catch a killer and my smart advice for callers like you.

These three apps will get you in shape

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Want to lose a few pounds or get in 10,000 steps a day? In 60 seconds, you’ll get the inside scoop on three must-have fitness apps.

How your Apple Watch or fitness tracker triggers the nocebo effect

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Is there an Apple Watch or fitness tracker on your gift list? Listen now to find out how they can do more harm than good.

Fitness trackers are compromising military security

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Fitness trackers can track more than fitness

Secret ways to make money on social media

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Social media and websites have not only changed the way we promote ourselves and our business, but it’s also changed the way we make money. In this podcast we’ll tell you about some young people who have used social media to earn more money than their parents, and how social media helped take a fitness nutrition company from making thousands of dollars in its first year to millions in the second year. Plus, get tips on how to use social media to make money on the side or even grow your new business.