A futon.
I used to regularly get cramps in my back when I slept, bought a futon, never had one since.
Ask HN: What did you purchase that measurably improved your quality of life?
111–120 of 530 posts
Re: Ask HN: What did you purchase that measurably improved your quality of life?
#112Smart watch.
Why?
Re: Ask HN: What did you purchase that measurably improved your quality of life?
#113Extra device chargers. Now wherever I sit around the house I have a cable nearby, I don't have to be lugging them around everywhere. So worth.
A power tower. Simple, doesn't take up much space, but lets me do a variety of upper body exercises on-demand without having to set anything up. A great way to fit exercise into the day without friction.
A good rice cooker. Makes the rice perfectly every time without me having to think about timing.
A good wardrobe. Started getting compliments on how I dress all the time. I never cared about this very much, and that made me unaware that other people did care.
Re: Ask HN: What did you purchase that measurably improved your quality of life?
#114Youtube Premium for $10/month. No ads to break your focus.
An ad-blocker does the same for free. And both methods don't get rid of sponsor ads within the video.
Re: Ask HN: What did you purchase that measurably improved your quality of life?
#115Supplements, especially L-DOPA (amazing mood improvement and libido boost), L-citrulline (libido and energy boost) and niacin. There are other supplements¹ in my stack but these three stand out as the effects are near immediate, measured in mere minutes/hours. ¹zinc methionine, L-taurine, Ashwagandha, Boswellia serrata, fish oil, cod liver oil, vitamins B1, B2, B6, B9, B12, C , D, K, calcium, resveratrol.
L-DOPA as well as L-Citrulline are Rx only, so you're either outside of US/EU or you suffer from some condition that requires that medication.
Re: Ask HN: What did you purchase that measurably improved your quality of life?
#116Noise-canceling headphones. I recommend Bose QC35 IIs. You don’t realize how loud the world normally is until you take them off.
Could I use them to cut off external noise that keeps me awake when I am trying to sleep?
You might be interested in these: https://www.bose.com/en_us/products/wellness/noise_masking_s...
Re: Ask HN: What did you purchase that measurably improved your quality of life?
#117Youtube Premium for $10/month. No ads to break your focus.
Or just use uBlock origin which is free
Re: Ask HN: What did you purchase that measurably improved your quality of life?
#118Anyone suffering from Dry Eyes: https://www.amazon.com/Tranquileyes-Travel-Sleep-Nighttime-R.... Expensive but worth the price compared to cheaper warm compress masks.
Re: Ask HN: What did you purchase that measurably improved your quality of life?
#119The best mattress you can afford is the single best investment you can make in your life. You spend 1/3 of your life asleep. Getting more high quality sleep has a direct impact on your mood, general health and personal productivity/effectiveness.
PS. Don't buy memory foam, it doesn't breathe well, makes you sweat and if its a thick layer of memory foam will make it impossible to turn on at night (you will sink into a stupid, sealed hole). A little layer of memory foam is bearable, but what would be the point then? The only reason they add it is marketing. A good breathable mattress is far better.
Your mileage may vary. I have a memory foam mattress and it works fine for me. I never noticed a particular sweating problem, haven't noticed any problems turning over. But, then, I just try to pick a position and go to sleep. I don't look for a comfortable position, per se, more of "I've conditioned myself to go to sleep when my body goes to this position".
I like modal sheets which run very high in absorption, so perhaps covering with extremely breathable bed materials makes a difference.
Re: Ask HN: What did you purchase that measurably improved your quality of life?
#120High quality floor standing speakers, although I would say the average person can get almost the same QOL improvement from $500 bookshelf speakers. I use them for music, movies/TV, watching videos on YouTube including technical ones, and even occasionally video conferencing. Wearing headphones for more than 30 minutes is fatiguing and uncomfortable for me. Listening to people's voices on tiny laptop or iPad speakers…
Which speakers did you buy and which would you recommend for someone that feels overwhelmed by the entire industry?
Not the GP, but I really like the Polk LSiM 707 I picked up during clearance a year ago.