Home Tech ‘It makes me want to walk more’: 14 everyday items that could improve your life

‘It makes me want to walk more’: 14 everyday items that could improve your life

0 comments
'It makes me want to walk more': 14 everyday items that could improve your life

hHave you ever bought something small that changed your everyday life for the better? Could it be a product that helped you sleep better, eat healthier, or save money at the salon? Something that, for a minimal outlay, made a significant difference.

We asked our team about the things that improved their lives, no matter how small. From a reading light to a hair dryer, from a pair of walking shoes to a pair of tweezers, your answers inspired us and we hope they inspire you too.


1

The facial cloths that changed the way I cleanse myself

I’m not proud to admit that I had used single-use makeup remover wipes until I discovered these reusable facial wipes a few years ago. I use the microfiber cloths with oil-based cleansers (Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm when I’m blushing, other times just baby oil) to remove all traces of makeup before washing my face with a foaming cleanser. I also love how soft the cloths are and how they don’t cause friction on my sensitive 40-something skin. Emily Goddard

Reusable facial cleansing cloths, £4.99 for a pack of six
amazon.es

£8 for a pack of seven
superdrug.com


2

The garlic masher that elevated my kitchen

My boyfriend’s mother gave us a bowl of garlic one Christmas. It’s something very simple – a ceramic plate with little bumps on which cloves are rubbed to create a paste – but it really has been a game-changer. It’s much quicker and more pleasant than the tedium of chopping garlic into small cubes, and I cook with it a lot more than before. The result? Dinners are more delicious – and healthier. Kate lloyd

Handmade Ceramic Garlic Grater, £14
etsy.com

Sherry garlic crusher, £8.99
souschef.es


3

The toothbrush that revolutionized my brushing

I’ve always had terrible teeth but my previous stint with an electric toothbrush, about 30 years ago, didn’t convince me to switch to the manual one. About three years ago, I decided to try the rechargeable type again and the results were excellent – my dentist asked me what I was doing differently. A light prevents me from brushing my gums too hard, a previous bad habit, and a timer makes sure I clean every part of my mouth equally and for long enough. Unfortunately, I don’t mind flossing either. If that were the case, it would be perfect. Hilary Osborne

Oral-B Pro toothbrush, £40
store.oralb.es
amazon.es


As I approach (or, rather, endure) middle age, it’s rare to wake up the day after playing soccer without feeling like I’ve been hit by a truck. Fortunately, I have a pair of boots from 10 years ago that ensure the uniqueness of me. No my feet hurt. The Adidas World Cups have been around since the early 80s and are still loved by high and low level amateur footballers, although I can only speak for the latter. The version for playing on artificial grass, Mundial Team, are so comfortable and resistant that, with a little care (not stepping on the cement with the rubber studs), they should last a lifetime. In fact, they are so good that I bought the same pair for indoor play. will dean

Adidas Copa Mundial Boots, £150
adidas.com

€125.68
amazon.es


5

The pressure cooker that saves me time

When my boyfriend and I first moved in together, a family friend kindly gave us his late mother’s pressure cooker. An original high-dome Prestige from the ’60s, it’s heavy, powerful and a little intimidating (too many stories about exploding beans). It spent several years in the back of a closet. But last year, now married (to that boyfriend) with two young children, I discovered the joys of the pressure cooker. You can prepare curry in minutes. I can throw in a bunch of vegetables, lentils, broth and spices, heat it up with its clever heavy lid, and whip up a stew or dal in the time it takes me to tidy up the kitchen. I know there are fancy fryers, crockpots, multi-cookers and so on now, but I’m still devoted to my old pressure cooker. Thanks Lionel! Ruth Lewy

Prestige Pressure Cooker, £64.99
prestige.es

€52.99
amazon.es


6

The reading light that keeps me sane

Throughout the chaos of early parenthood—disjointed work schedules, toddler nighttime awakenings, and baby feedings—my clip-on reading light has helped create as much restorative escapism as a brandy bath. It’s lightweight, flexible, and much less dazzling than a table lamp. My partner and I have one each, and we can read using the brightness without disturbance at any time of the night, in any room of the house we are in. Matt Collins

Clip light, £11.99
robertdyas.co.uk

€9.99
amazon.es


7

The vegetable box that changed the way I eat

We got stuck in a vegetable rut, a hangover from when the kids were home and we bought broccoli and carrots over and over again. But receiving a selection of seasonal vegetables on our doorstep (we receive a box of Riverford every fortnight) forces me to look for recipes for things we’ve never eaten before. Kohlrabi and black kale are now among my favorite ingredients. And Riverford’s deals with organic growers in Spain and the south of France mean the boxes include tomatoes, peppers, aubergines and more, rather than endless turnips and cabbages during British winters. We also receive sourdough, eggs, and butter with our veggie box. And my husband makes a great soup with everything we haven’t managed to get through. Liz Boulter

Of £15.15 for a small weekly box of organic vegetables
riverford.co.uk

From £15.30 for a small weekly box of organic vegetables
abelandcole.co.uk

skip past newsletter promotion


8

The knee pillow that saved my sleep

It’s probably the least sexy thing I own, but my memory foam knee pillow has been a game-changer. And if, like me, you’ve reached the age where back pain and snoring forces you to sleep on your side, and your legs are a little thin and your knees are knobby, one might be for you too. Mine has a loose strap, which means the pillow comes with me when I turn from side to side, keeping my knees pampered and comfortably apart. Simon Usborne

Knee pillow, £10
dunelm.es

€13.95
amazon.es


9

The dryer that leaves my hair shiny

There are all kinds of fancy hair dryers out there these days, but I’m still completely devoted to my Parlux. I have thick hair and it takes forever to dry with anything else. Professional hairstylists use them, they last forever and mine cuts drying time in half. It also leaves my hair shiny and manageable, and that lasts until the next wash (weather permitting). My Parlux always travels with me. Laura Potter

Parlux 3200 compact hairtumble dryer, £126
lookfantastic.com

€109.95
parlux.es


10

The sunscreen my kids don’t complain about

I discovered roll-on sunscreen this summer and it was truly transformative. The mechanism created for hassle-free application – a game-changer when it came to my restless children whose default position is always “resist”. And it’s easy when your hands are wet or sandy. The kids even loved putting on sunscreen. You buy the empty roll-on container and you can fill and refill it with any sunscreen. We bought a duo pack, so the kids could have one each and avoid fights. Abigail Radnor

Solar Buddies Sun Cream Applicator, £7.98
boots.com

Duo Pack, £16.98
amazon.es


11

The shoes that made me walk more.

I am not a driver and I am used to walking everywhere. I’m probably a little hooked on walking the streets of London, even when I have to spend a day at the office, and I make sure I get in at least 10,000 steps a day. Since finding these waterproof, grippy black Salomon hiking shoes, I’ve hiked even more and in all weathers. They are so elastic and light that they make me want to travel more kilometers. jose griffin

Ultra 360 Hiking Shoes, £140
salomon.com
cotswoldoutdoor.com


12

The headphones that took me from Couch to 5K

I’m a slow but very sweaty runner, and my old headphones used to die or fall out of my ears when I ran. Using them, I finally completed the Couch to 5K and followed a regular running routine. Rachel Dixon

JLab Sports Headphones, £29.99
johnlewis.com
argos.es


13

The goggles that improved my swimming game

I spent years wearing contact lenses while swimming, meaning that every quiet moment was punctuated by a growing panic that a dastardly microorganism could squeeze its way under the seal of my goggles, get trapped beneath my lenses, and leave me blind. Then I discovered prescription swimming goggles and #MyStruggle was over. The only downside is that I’m so nearsighted that I have to wear them to get from the sun lounger to the pool, which may not be a great look. joe stone

Prescription swimming goggles, £24
prescription-glasses.com


14

The tweezers that finally gave me beautiful eyebrows

I get my eyebrows professionally done once a year, at most; the rest of the time I try to follow the eyebrow line with tweezers. These slants were a game changer because they are thin enough to ensure precise plucking. Stubborn lip and chin hairs are also easy to remove. hanna cabin

Slanted Tweezers, £23
boots.com
cultbeauty.es



iframeMessenger.enableAutoResize();” class=”js-embed__iframe dcr-uzb1jv”>

You may also like