Twitter and Square CEO Jack Dorsey tries to meditate for two hours each day and has attended several meditation retreats.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Jack Dorsey stepped down as CEO of Twitter this week. He will remain CEO of Square, now named Block.
He said mediation helped him manage the stress of running two companies at once.
I tried meditating in 15-minute blocks for one week and felt calmer but less productive.
Jack Dorsey stepped down as CEO of Twitter on Monday after almost 16 years at the company’s helm. Dorsey will remain CEO of Square, which changed its name to Block two days after his departure from Twitter.
The move follows concern from activist investors over Dorsey’s dual CEO gigs, claiming his attention and time were divided.
Dorsey said that he was able to manage the stress of running two companies at once by adopting a strict wellness schedule that included walking five miles to work, meditating for two hours, and eating one meal a day. The lifestyle allowed him “to stay above water” at work, he said.
“When I went back to Twitter and took on the second job, I got super-serious about meditation.” he said during an appearance on “The Boardroom: Out of Office” podcast.
I couldn’t realistically dedicate myself to following his entire routine, so I tried meditating for 15 minutes twice a day to see how it might impact my work-life.
Dorsey has specifically practiced Vipassana meditation, an ancient Buddhist meditation technique that frequently involves 10 days of silence. Also known as “insight meditation,” its guiding principle is non-judgment.
Unlike other meditative practices that focus on a specific mantra or visualization, you’re not supposed to consciously control your thoughts during Vipassana. Instead, you acknowledge any wandering thoughts and immediately return to your breath, ultimately seeking a calmer and more focused mind.
Dorsey isn’t the only tech CEO to swear by the technique as a secret to professional success. Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff became so convinced of its benefits that the software giant added a meditation room on every floor of its San Francisco office.
Here’s how meditation impacted my performance at work after setting aside 15 minutes twice a day over the span of one week.
I found the best times to meditate were immediately after waking up and between switching tasks
I had read online that Vipassana meditation works best first thing in the morning but was nervous the calming ritual would put me right back to sleep. I have never been a morning person and rely heavily on coffee to jumpstart my day.
So I was genuinely surprised that meditating immediately after I woke up made me feel highly alert, no caffeine necessary. Despite having my eyes closed for 15 minutes longer than I usually would, the focused breathing helped clear away any brain fog that normally lingers for the first hour at my desk.
I experienced similar effects when I meditated in between switching tasks, which usually fell around lunchtime. The moments when I feel the least focused at work are when I have to shift gears from one article to the next, or from writing to interviewing. Meditating in between created a buffer and allowed my mindset to refocus on my next task.
I felt noticeably less stressed, but not necessarily more productive
While I noticed that meditating helped lower my anxiety levels, I found it was more beneficial in regards to high-level problem solving than completing short-term assignments.
Usually, a healthy dose of stress and adrenaline is what gets me through breaking news and daily deadlines. Vipassana meditation doesn’t allow you to react to the checklist in your head and forces you to see things from a birds-eye view, something I found helpful in creative idea generation and goal setting.
Sitting still without distractions for 15 minutes was much harder than I thought
On the first day of this experiment, I didn’t think I could make it through the week. Part of Vipassana is observing — but not reacting to — sensations such as the urge to fidget, stretch, or even itch. Fifteen minutes of sitting up straight and engaging my core forced me to become highly aware of any physical aches or pains.
But after the first five minutes, focusing on my breath felt much more natural and intuitive. The hardest part was putting away my phone, closing my laptop, and convincing myself that I could spare 15 minutes in the middle of the day.
Therme is opening an eponymous “wellness center” in New York City that’ll start at $40 per person.
The center will have saunas, a water park, meditation spaces, a botanical garden, communal baths, and more.
Therme New York estimates it will cost about $300 million to $350 million to build.
Wellness and fitness tourism has been on the rise since before the anxiety-inducing, stress-snacking COVID-19 pandemic blistered the travel industry and our mental and physical health.The Therme center in Bucharest, Romania.
But in a few years, New Yorkers won’t have to travel out of the city for a blissful retreat from the hoards of people and screaming sirens.The Therme center in Bucharest, Romania.
Therme Group
New York City isn’t known as a destination for peace and tranquil getaways …The Therme center in Bucharest, Romania.
Therme Group
… but Therme Group, an international wellbeing resort company, is looking to change this mentality by opening what Travel and Leisure has called a “wellness theme park” right in the city.The Therme center in Bucharest, Romania.
“One simple way to describe the value of a Therme is it’s the antidote to the meta universe that Mark Zuckerberg just announced,” John Alschuler, the incoming Therme North America executive chairman, told Insider in an interview. “This is about an actual experience that can’t be and shouldn’t be digitized.”The Therme center in Bucharest, Romania.
Therme Group
Opening a quiet refuge in one of the world’s most bustling cities isn’t an easy endeavor.The Therme center in Bucharest, Romania.
Therme Group
To do so, Therme has tapped Robert Hammond, the co-founder of another NYC haven, the High Line park, to join the team …The Therme center in Bucharest, Romania.
Therme Group
… with the hopes that Hammond can bring the High Line’s design and emphasis of nature and community to Therme New York.The Therme center in Bucharest, Romania.
Therme Group
“All those things together, to me, is what makes the High Line and what will make Therme,” Hammond told Insider in an interview.The Therme center in Bucharest, Romania.
Therme Group
In April 2022, Hammond will leave his post as the executive director at the High Line to serve as Therme North America’s president and chief strategy officer.The Therme center in Bucharest, Romania.
Therme Group
The company — which can best be summarized by its “wellbeing for all” motto — currently has several locations around the world, specifically In Romania and Germany.The Therme center in Bucharest, Romania.
Therme Group
Its Bucharest, Romania location was the country’s “most popular attraction from 2016 to 2018, welcoming over one million guests in the first year of operation,” according to the company’s website.The Therme center in Bucharest, Romania.
This stateside Therme is still being designed, but it could take after the other centers, which combine live plants and large glass walls to create a bright, relaxing, nature-centered space.The Therme center in Bucharest, Romania.
Therme Group
Therme’s self-proclaimed “well-being center” in New York will be a combination of a family-friendly water park, meditation space, botanical garden, gym, spa, communal thermal bathhouse, and art gallery.The Therme center in Bucharest, Romania.
Therme Group
Together, all of these amenities will create a “wellbeing facility” that could be embraced by New Yorkers, Alschuler says.The Therme center in Bucharest, Romania.
Therme Group
“There’s a very strong demand from whole segments of America for this kind of experience, just fragmented, ” Alschuler said. “So when you put it together, the demand becomes exponentially stronger.”The Therme center in Bucharest, Romania.
Therme Group
The tradition of communal bathing has existed for centuries, from ancient Roman baths to Japanese onsens.The Therme center in Bucharest, Romania.
Therme Group
Communal bathing centers currently aren’t that popular across the US. But Americans love water parks, which is close enough: “I don’t think it’s a dramatic discontinuity with what Americans currently do,” Alschuler noted.The Therme center in Bucharest, Romania.
Therme Group
Therme’s goal is to “bring back the essence of these global bathing traditions,” according to its website.The Therme center in Bucharest, Romania.
“There’s no experience in the Therme that Americans haven’t already adopted,” Alschuler said. “What’s different is we’ve combined it all together with abundant nature and a focus on wellbeing.”The Therme center in Bucharest, Romania.
Therme Group
Therme centers around the world all have similar amenities and services …The Therme center in Bucharest, Romania.
Therme Group
… which include several types of saunas, lounges, pools, restaurants, and a water park, all of which attract a wide age range.The planned Therme in Manchester, United Kingdom.
“There’s a theme park component of this … and Americans love theme parks,” Alschuler said. “Americans flock in large numbers to Miami and the southwest to be outdoors in water, and that’s what we will have in New Yorkers’ backyards.”The Therme center in Bucharest, Romania.
Therme Group
The New York location specifically will reflect the “emotion, taste, and sensibility of the city,” Alschuler said, noting that the High Line — a public park that melds nature with the city — is an example of this sentiment.The Therme center in Bucharest, Romania.
Therme Group
And unlike other spas that primarily target adults with deeper pocketbooks, Therme wants to make its New York center widely accessible.The Therme center in Bucharest, Romania.
Therme Group
Entry into Therme New York will start at about $40. This price then increases when specialized services like a massage are added on.The Therme center in Bucharest, Romania.
Therme Group
“This is not an elite experience,” Alschuler said. “This is not for the Lululemon culture. It’s an inclusive experience that people of different ages, incomes, cultural, and racial experiences can all come and enjoy.”The planned Therme in Manchester, United Kingdom.
Therme Group
Unsurprisingly, all of the facility’s amenities will take up a decent chunk of square footage, something New York City doesn’t have much of anymore.The Therme in Bucharest, Romania.
Therme Group
The team is still looking for an ideal location in the city, but “there is no five-acre site waiting to be developed in the middle of Manhattan,” Hammond said.The Therme in Bucharest, Romania.
Therme Group
Hammond believes the facility will likely end up in an old repurposed industrial building, while Alschuler says he could see Therme in a Manhattan skyscraper or on an abandoned pier.The Therme in Bucharest, Romania.
Therme Group
The team is still figuring out the logistics and layout of the New York location, but one thing’s for sure: the New York location will likely have to be more vertical than Therme’s other centers.The Therme in Bucharest, Romania.
Therme Group
“We’re going to be a New York institution, so we will adopt … New York’s building typology, which is vertical,” Alschuler said.The Therme in Bucharest, Romania.
Therme Group
As of now, Alschuler estimates the project will cost about $300 million to $350 million to construct.The planned Therme in Ontario, Canada.
Therme Group
“What’s special about the Therme is that it takes combinations that are very familiar [to Americans] and combines them in a way that’s magical and new,” he said.The planned Therme in Ontario, Canada.
Location: Seattle, Washington; Los Angeles, California
Business: SoundMind, a music therapy app designed for those experiencing trauma, depression, and anxiety.
Backstory: The pandemic created a mental health crisis: People were isolated from others, while massive death tolls were broadcast across the news. Nurses and doctors dealt with unprecedented patient overflow in the hospitals, while families watched funerals on YouTube.
Travis Chen and Brian Femminella felt there was a lack of reliable mental health tech resources that could help with such levels of stress and trauma, so they launched the therapy app SoundMind in November of this year. The app uses music, created by an in-house composer team, to help reduce anxiety. It also directly connects users with useful resources, such as the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
“It not only was critical to start a tech app but to start building a community that is a lasting movement for people to be inspired by and hold onto, especially when times are tough,” Femminella told Insider.
SoundMind
Growth: SoundMind’s launch party at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles was attended by actors like Jennings Brower, who has 3.4 million followers on TikTok, and Matthew Dennis Lewis, who starred in Netflix’s “The Queen’s Gambit.”
To date, SoundMind has raised six figures in pre-seed funding, but the round will officially close in December. It also has corporate partnerships with organizations such as therapy service Okay Humans and digital business card company Popl to host mental health-related collaborations and events. Next year, SoundMind will launch a creators platform to commission artists, such as musician Nick Tangorra, who will create music specifically for the company.
Before SoundMind: Chen graduated from the University of Southern California in 2021, and Fremminella is finishing up his senior year at the same university. Previously, both were legislative interns on Capitol Hill and for the past four years, Femminella has served in the US Army reserves. Fremminella also worked at the USC Institute for Creative Technologies on the artificial intelligence research and development team.
Challenges: Both founders had to deal with investors questioning their young ages. Additionally, Femminella, who is openly gay, learned how to fully embrace his sexuality rather than hide it from backers. Meanwhile, Chen had to convince others of the importance of taking Asian-American mental health seriously.
Team photo of SoundMind
SoundMind
Business Advice: “You are going to fall down, but it is how you get back up and continue to build — with the knowledge you learned from past mistakes — that showcases who you truly are,” Femminella said.
Business Mentor: Femminella counts Dr. Scott B. Spencer of USC’s Thornton school of music as someone who’s helped him conduct research for the app. Chen leans on his 89-year-old grandfather, who taught him the importance of giving back.
Why now is the best time to start a business: The pandemic helped push people to pursue their passions more, Chen said. “It’s the prime time to do everything you can, eventually find what you love doing, and who you like doing it with,” Chen added.
On hiring: They currently have five full-time people on staff, including the two people on the in-house composer team. SoundMind plans to double the company’s staff by the end of 2022.
On managing burnout: Chen spends time with his family and friends, and enjoys hiking. Femminella takes long breaks away from social media and loves SoulCycle. “I like to skydive, crazy right?” he added. It’s “to really see the world and hear nothing but the air and the sound of the parachute as a way to reset my mind.”
Alcohol alternative drink sales rose this year, on the heels of the “trendy” sober curious movement.
Shea Gomez is a cool girl.
Gomez’s Instagram feed is a mosaic of her in trendy pink crop tops and dresses, flashing a toothy smile outlined with bold, pink lips. Like so many influencer feeds, Gomez is holding a liquor bottle or wine glass, and she’s dressed like she’s about to spend the night in the club.
But Gomez’s liquor bottle and wine glasses contain no alcohol. And alongside her perfectly lighted selfies, Gomez has graphics that outline some of the harms of drinking, as well as motivational quotes to help her followers get through the day sober.
Gomez founded No Booze Babes, an online community for people rethinking their relationship with alcohol. No Booze Babes has nearly 30,000 followers on Instagram and hosts get-togethers for the growing “sober curious” community.
A post shared by NO BOOZE BABES by SHEA GOMEZ (@noboozebabes)
The sober curious movement, which encourages people to rethink their relationship to alcohol, has taken Instagram by storm. Retired Party Girl, another community for young women ditching booze, also shares pink and purple outlined motivational quotes on sobriety to its 25,000 followers. Young women like Gomez are on a mission to prove it’s “cool” not to drink, and ditching alcohol can even help women achieve self-care and empowerment.
Gomez is “the optimum amount of class and sophistication,” said Nat Battaglia, who founded Mindful Mocktail, a recipe website for sophisticated cocktails made without booze.
“Girls just look at her and they’re like, ‘she’s amazing, I want what she’s having,'” Battaglia added.
American youths today just aren’t as interested in drinking as their parents were.
Newer research could be behind the trend: a 2018 global study conducted by Oxford University showed no health benefits from drinking, which flies in the face of previous theories that a glass of wine benefits the heart.
Plus, CBD-infused drinks – like ultimate cool girl Bella Hadid’s Kin brand – promise a similar buzz without impairing your health or decision-making.
Tori Felder, Retired Party Girl’s founder, said she felt unwelcome at traditional sobriety support groups. The recent wave of sober-curiosity hinges more on living comfortably around a culture steeped in alcohol when you’re no longer imbibing.
“If people can glamorize alcohol, then why can’t we glamorize sobriety?” Felder said
Tori Felder, the founder of Retired Party Girl (right)
Tori Felder
Felder and Gomez both encourage an environment that welcomes not just people who don’t drink at all, but also people who only drink occasionally or are interested in stepping back. Gomez tries not to label herself or her followers as “sober” in order to create an inclusive space for people to learn how to be sober without stigma.
Where influencers are, brands will follow. Concurrent to the sober curious movement, a cottage industry of booze alternatives, or alcohol-free wine, beer, and liquor that have the sophisticated flavor profiles of whiskey or red wine, have sprung up over the last two years.
Nielsen data found non-alcoholic drink sales increased 33% to $331 million in the last year, and Whole Foods recently listed booze-free liquor as one of the food trends to watch in 2022.
Aishwarya Balaji co-founded A Fresh Sip, a marketplace and delivery service for alcohol-free beverages. Balaji said alcohol alternatives are “trending” right now because of the luxury and exclusivity of the products.
Alcohol-free liquor can range from $37 to upwards of $50, and Balaji said Soho House, the exclusive, invite-only social club, has even begun serving the product.
“We are seeing non-alcoholic cocktails offered at some of these more luxury or private events, and so I think it is now cool to be sober-curious,” Balaji said.
Aishwarya Balaji, the co-founder of A Fresh Sip
Aishwarya Balaji
Spiros Malandrakis, the head of alcohol research at Euromonitor, told me part of the reason why non-alcoholic alternatives are taking off is due to the “Instagram effect,” or the idea that people holding the drink are sending a message about their personal brands. Instead of a stirred martini invoking suavity, a Kin in Hadid’s hand could signal a commitment to health and wellness.
Gomez’s drink-less Instagram could have an aspirational effect: You can be a cool girl like her – if you don’t drink.
“On social media, women can see other women living a booze-free life and they can say, ‘Wow, if they can do it, I can do it too,'” Gomez said.
Ritual Zero Proof’s products include alcohol-free rum, gin, whiskey, and tequila alternatives.
Ritual Zero Proof
Non-alcoholic beverage sales increased 33% to $331 million in the last year, according to Nielsen.
Analysts told Insider non-alcoholic spirits will continue to grow in 2022.
“Sober curious” young people and wellness-minded drinkers are contributing to the non-alcoholic drink movement.
The popularity of veganism across the world helped spur a bevy of fake meat companies that even carnivores can enjoy.
Now, the $178 billion dollar beverage industry is hoping to replicate the trend with alcohol-free liquor as more and more young people reassess their relationship with booze.
Two years ago, David Crooch, the CEO and co-founder of Ritual Zero Proof, launched a line of booze-free whiskey and gin, which are meant to mimic the taste of liquor. Crooch said the company wasn’t meant to take a stand against alcohol and propagate sobriety – instead, Ritual intends to give customers options.
Like how Americans can choose from a variety of “milks” to pour into their coffee, drinkers can choose to mix a non-alcoholic cocktail if they’re looking to avoid the hangover and calories that come from booze.
Consumer data proves more Americans are looking for the non-alcoholic options like those Crooch is putting forward.
Non-alcoholic beverage sales increased 33% to $331 million over the last 52 weeks, according to data from Nielsen. The products have done especially well in e-commerce, as Nielsen found a 315% increase in online non-alcoholic and low-alcoholic beverage dollar sales in the same time.
Nielsen senior vice president Kim Cox said survey data suggests most non-alcoholic beverage consumers aren’t completely sober, but rather want to have a healthier lifestyle or are losing interest in alcohol.
“Consumers want to be really focused on what they’re putting in their bodies,” Cox said in an interview with Insider. “In general, there’s been such a huge trend over the last several years towards lower sugar, lower carb, lower calorie in the beverages space.”
Crooch’s booze-free booze earned early success by landing a partnership with Whole Foods and minority investment from UK alcoholic drink giant Diageo.
Spiros Malandrakis, industry manager and head of alcoholic drink research at Euromonitor International, said the rise of non-alcoholic spirits began in 2016, when the startup Seedlip began positioning alcohol-free adult beverages in a “positive light” and playing up the lack of calories. Diageo, which also owns Guinness, Johnnie Walker, Don Julio, and other popular spirits, acquired Seedlip in 2019 for an undisclosed amount.
Malandrakis credited the rise of non-alcoholic drinks to the growing popularity of the “sober-curious movement.” Per Insider’s Rachel Hosie, most sober-curious people still drink alcohol, but are mindful of the impact booze has on their physical and mental health.
Americans are drinking less overall than they have at most points over the last 20 years, according to a recent Gallup analysis, so it’s not surprising that non-alcoholic drinks are gaining popularity. And Millennials and Zoomers – who are drinking less than Boomers and Gen X did at their age – are leading the sober-curious movement.
Malandrakis sees the most growth coming from non-alcoholic spirits, rather than boozeless beer and wine. At Whole Foods, the company projects “buzz-less spirits” will be one of the biggest trends of 2022, largely due to innovation in the space.
Sparkling water and teas might rebrand themselves as “non-alcoholic alternatives,” according to Mary Guiver, Whole Foods’ global senior category merchant for beer and spirits. She said she anticipates more booze manufacturers to dabble in no- and low-alcoholic drinks. Heineken, for instance, bet big on its non-alcoholic beer and subsequently brought in $54 million in 2020 sales.
“I think this trend has staying power because we’ve seen both demand from the consumer and desire from brands to meet that demand by providing new, interesting buzz-less formats,” Guiver said.
Do you have thoughts on the sober-curious movement or on booze-free drinks? Email the author at aakhtar@insider.com.
Although high blood pressure is common, it’s also very serious and can be dangerous, or even deadly, if left untreated. If you go to the doctor and they reveal you have high blood pressure (i.e. hypertension), taking regular readings on your own at home gives you a better picture of where your health is at. This is especially true if you’re nearing dangerous levels that may cause a heart attack.
By owning an at-home blood pressure monitor, you have the ability to provide doctors with a larger set of data for examining chronic health issues or determining your current level of physical fitness. Studies show that being aware of your blood pressure on a daily basis can help you learn to control it and even lower it over time.
The Omron Platinum has an easy-to-read digital screen, support for multiple users, and the ability to track how your blood pressure changes over time.
Pros: Fast and easy to use, wireless cuff, rechargeable battery, multi-user support, saved historical data, irregular heartbeat alerts
Cons: Smartphone app not user friendly
Thanks to its ease of use and numerous features, the Omron Platinum tops our list as the best at-home blood pressure monitor. The device has a cuff designed to fit most people and it can wirelessly share its readings with the base unit. You can easily strap the monitor onto yourself, or someone else, while in a chair or even in bed for quick and easy checks.
The Omron Platinum has the ability to support two users and keep track of the results for each person individually. The device saves up to 100 readings per user and that information can also easily be shared with doctors.
Via the Platinum’s built-in Bluetooth capability, the base unit can also pair with a smartphone. You can add other users and results, and save them in Omron’s free app for iOS and Android. The app isn’t as user-friendly as it could be, but it is usable once you get the hang of it.
One of its more unique features is its ability to compare current blood pressure results with those stored in the memory and issue an alert if something looks wrong. The device can tell if the systolic or diastolic measurements are abnormal, which is especially helpful in the morning when there is a higher risk for heart attack or stroke.
Best digital arm monitor
Amazon
The Beurer BM47 is easy to use thanks to its digital screen, adjustable cuff, and ability to track four patients’ blood pressure over time.
Pros: Accurate, simple, multi-user support for up to four people, large LED screen
Cons: Only saves historical data for seven days
Inexpensive, easy to use, and feature-packed, the Beurer BM47 upper arm blood pressure monitor will suit the needs of most people. The compact device includes a soft, adjustable cuff designed to fit small and large arms. The monitor supports up to four users.
One of the BM47‘s best features is its simplicity. Once the cuff is securely in place, all you need to do is tap a single button to activate the device. Within a matter of seconds, the cuff will constrict and measure systolic and diastolic blood pressure. A series of colored lights along the edge of the unit serves as an indicator of a patient’s current danger level, making it easy to tell at a glance if their blood pressure is too high.
The BM47 is lauded for its accuracy and it has the ability to save up to 30 blood pressure measurements for four unique users in its onboard memory. When checking an individual’s current blood pressure, the device can then compare the results to the readings that have been taken over the previous seven days.
Because the BM47 tracks a user’s pulse, it also has the ability to identify unusual heart rhythms. This is yet another safety feature that could give users a warning if the device detects arrhythmia.
Pros: Traditional analog design may appeal to some, easy to use, affordable price, accurate readings, comes with a case
Cons: Analog dial not as easy to read as a digital screen, no alerts or digital monitoring system
Some would describe the Paramed Professional Manual Blood Pressure Cuff as an old-school method for monitoring your blood pressure, but we prefer to think of it as a tried-and-true approach instead. This monitor resembles the ones that were used by doctors for decades before high-tech, digital devices came along. The traditional method continues to work well, particularly for those who just want as simple a monitor as possible.
Technically defined as a sphygmomanometer, this monitor features a traditional cuff that wraps around the upper arm. The user then squeezes a small air pump that causes the cuff to inflate and constrict. As pressure releases, it equalizes at approximately the same level as the current systolic pressure in the body. It then provides a blood pressure reading on its built-in analog screen.
This model is a no-frills, simple, and very accurate way to monitor your blood pressure. That said, all of its components are durable and made of high-quality materials which makes it feel like a premium product, even though it has an affordable price tag. The sphygmomanometer even comes with a handy case for storage and transport.
Best wrist-based blood pressure monitor
Amazon
If you’re looking for a wrist blood pressure monitor, the Paramed Automatic is a good choice because it is easy to operate and more accurate than most wrist-based monitors.
Pros: Small, lightweight, easy to carry, accurate for a wrist monitor, large LCD screen, can store up to 90 results
Cons: Screen can be hard to read in some lighting conditions, only single-user support
The main appeal of this monitor is how small and simple it is: Its onboard memory can store the results of 90 blood pressure readings, which can help you better understand trends in your levels. It can only hold one person’s profile but it’s compact enough to be carried anywhere, making it a great choice for folks on the go.
With its surprisingly large display, this wrist-worn blood pressure monitor presents information in a clear, easy-to-understand fashion. The monochrome screen works well in most circumstances but can get a little washed out in direct sunlight. It can be hard to read while outdoors, but it functions just fine under most other circumstances.
Pros: Inexpensive, easy to use, supports two users, stores 90 readings per user, can be powered by batteries or wall outlet
Cons: Slower than some other models
There are a number of inexpensive blood pressure monitors to choose from, many of which will perform adequately when it comes to monitoring your health. But few models offer the same level of value that you’ll find in the Hyology Arm Blood Pressure Monitor, a device that packs in a lot of features for an easy-to-swallow price.
It has a large, bright LCD screen that displays both systolic or diastolic readings, along with heart rate. It offers a simple one-button operation, supports two users, and can store 90 readings for each individual. It can even detect an irregular heartbeat and alert the user if something seems amiss.
Unlike the other models we recommend, this device can operate with either standard AAA batteries or charge up with a USB-C cable and power adapter.
FAQs
What’s the difference between wrist- and arm-based blood pressure monitors?
When shopping for a blood pressure monitor of your own, you’re likely to come across two distinct types: those that wrap around the upper arm and those that go around the wrist. Generally speaking, the monitors that take their readings from the upper arm tend to be more accurate and consistent. That’s not to say that wrist monitors can’t be reliable too; they are just a bit more finicky to use.
Arm monitors fall into two distinct categories: aneroid or digital. An aneroid model features a more traditional design with a cuff that wraps around the upper arm and is inflated by squeezing on a bulb. The blood pressure is then read from a mechanical gauge. These types of monitors are slower and can be less accurate, but they are also more affordable.
Alternatively, a digital monitor inflates the cuff either with a bulb or automatically from the device depending on the individual model. The results are displayed on an easy-to-read screen. Digital monitors are simple and straightforward to use. That simplicity comes at a price, though, as digital models are usually more expensive than their aneroid counterparts.
Are at-home blood pressure monitors accurate?
Good-quality at-home blood pressure monitors are accurate, but it’s important to do the research to find the best option for your needs. No matter which type of blood pressure device you choose, it is a good idea to check its accuracy before relying on it too closely.
You can check its accuracy by bringing the monitor along with you on a visit to your doctor’s office and comparing the numbers between your monitor and the one that is used by the healthcare professionals. Slight variances in accuracy are normal, but if the numbers vary dramatically, you should return the one you purchased for a different model.
When deciding which specific blood pressure monitor is right for you, you’ll want to be sure that the cuff fits properly before purchasing. Most devices have a fairly universal fit, but some arm cuffs can be too large or too small. If the cuff is too loose or too tight, the blood pressure readings may not be accurate, invalidating any tests.
It helps to try a few of the monitors out ahead of time to ensure that they’ll work for you and to get a sense of the other features they offer as well.
Many people have enjoyed working from home during the pandemic. Whether you’ve loved watching true crime shows from the couch while you work or you’ve been more productive by avoiding hallway conversations with your colleagues, you’re not alone in wanting to skip returning to the office.
As a therapist, I’m hearing from plenty of people who are dreading the return to the office. Some people say they’re going to miss the time they’ve had with family, while others have grown comfortable spending their workdays alone.
But if you don’t have a choice and your office reopening date is looming, here are some steps you can take to muster the mental strength you need and reduce the back-to-work dread.
1. Create a list of the positive aspects of being in the office
Having a handy list of the positive aspects of going back to work can balance out the negative thoughts you experience when your emotions run high. Anxiety, sadness, and dread can lead to exaggeratedly negative thoughts about how awful going back to work is going to be.
From wearing dress clothes to battling traffic, you can probably think of plenty of things you don’t like about going back to work. So it’s important to remind yourself that there are some good things about being there too.
Perhaps you enjoy having lunch with your colleagues. Or maybe you know it’s good for your mental health to get out of the house.
Try to come up with at least 10 good things about going back to work. Write them down and keep that list handy. When you find yourself dreading the return to the office, read your list.
2. Identify changes that can make going back to the office better
You’ll likely find that things have changed quite a bit since you last went into work. You might be working with different people. Or maybe the workplace has instituted some new safety measures.
So it’s a great time to consider this a fresh start – and an optimal time to make changes that will make your work life even better.
Some changes might be personal. You might decide it’s a great time to start a new workout schedule – like hitting the gym before you go into the office.
You also might identify some professional changes you want to make – like setting better boundaries with your time.
Look at the return to work as a new opportunity, not just going back to the same old job. Take what you’ve learned from working from home and try to make office life better.
3. Problem-solve the issues you’ll miss about being at home
Think about the conveniences you’ve enjoyed when working from home. Doing laundry during the day, being able to cook your lunch, or having the freedom to run errands might have made your life better.
Consider what steps you can take to enjoy some of those conveniences when you go back to work. Does it make sense to hire a laundry service? Should you hire someone to run errands for you? Would meal prepping on Sundays increase the chances you’ll eat a healthy lunch?
In this way, see if you can find creative ways to carry forward some of the conveniences you’ve enjoyed about working from home.
4. Change the channel in your brain when you’re ruminating
When you find yourself rehashing all the things you disliked about being at work or you’re predicting all the things that could go wrong, change the channel in your brain.
Get up and do something, like organize a closet or call a friend to talk about something pleasant. But don’t let yourself sit there and dwell on unpleasant thoughts you can’t do anything about. If you do, you’ll just drag yourself down.
5. Establish a transition plan
In an ideal world, going back to work in a slow, scheduled manner works best. That may mean starting out with just two office days per week and working yourself up to five. A slow transition can help you get used to being around people (something most of us haven’t done much) and it can help you ease back into a new routine.
If your boss isn’t interested in a slow transition plan, don’t worry – you can still design a personal transition plan. Get yourself on your back-to-work sleep schedule and start working during your normal hours to get your brain and your body ready to go.
Keep your mind and your options open
You might find that going back into the office isn’t as bad as you imagine. It may take a few weeks to get back into the routine but ultimately, it may be better for you. If, however, you discover that your life is enhanced when you work from home, you might look for other opportunities. Remote work is plentiful these days and even though switching jobs might feel daunting, remind yourself that you have choices.
Earlier this year, like so many other companies, my workplace heard loud and clear from our employees that they were feeling exhausted, disconnected, and burnt out. Sadly, this wasn’t a surprise.
The pace of high-growth organizations is often unsustainable. In a recent survey, nearly 70% of US workers said their level of burnout has worsened throughout the pandemic. My workplace responded by introducing a few days of rest and new initiatives to normalize taking breaks and prioritizing wellness. But steps like these aren’t enough – employees everywhere still need more balance and less burnout.
That’s why companies need to invest in long-term changes to how they operate in order to truly battle burnout. While my workplace hasn’t banished burnout for good just yet, we have discovered strategies that are helping employees prioritize rest and minimize stress. Here are three to consider bringing back to your organization:
1. Be vulnerable with your customers
To respond to burnout, companies like Bumble have given their staff a week off. I know what you might be thinking: That would never work for your organization, right? You have customers who depend on you – they’d be livid if you were offline for a week.
We were worried about this, too, before implementing HubSpot’s annual “Week of Rest” and so we proactively communicated to our customers why we were taking time off as a company and what to expect from our support staff in case of emergency. We braced for hundreds of angry replies but instead, we got the opposite.
Our customers were thrilled that we were investing in our people’s well-being, asked how they could implement the same benefit at their company, and even said they were proud to work with us. This was a good reminder that when customers invest in your product, they’re investing in your people, too.
So if you’re adopting initiatives to prioritize employees’ well-being, proactively let your customers know. It helps set expectations for how they can work with you, but it also gives them transparency into your culture, values, and priorities.
2. Prioritize deep work
When was the last time you had a few hours to dig into a strategy document, plan ahead, or think creatively? If you can’t remember, you’re not alone. Jumping from Zoom meetings to Slack to email barely leaves time for lunch, let alone productivity.
That’s why we adopted a “No Internal Meeting Fridays” rule. This ensures we’re taking care of our customers and candidates by continuing external meetings, but that we’re creating space for our employees and leaders to do deep work.
The goal isn’t to cram meetings into every other day of the week, either. It forces us to ask the million-dollar question: Can this meeting be an email? By having an operating system that values intentional work over time-in-meetings, people have more time to think, create, and reflect.
3. Set the tone at the top
Building a culture of flexibility and balance only works if employees feel empowered to use it. That’s why your leadership team needs to be leading from the front in battling burnout.
For example, when we had our global “Week of Rest,” our executive leadership team fully unplugged. If you tell employees not to work but then spend the week racking up tasks, emails, and assignments for them, you’re missing the point.
Similarly, leaders should practice leaving loudly, using Slack statuses to signal that you’re with family or taking a break, and prioritizing your own time to rest and recharge. It’s critical we’re normalizing unplugging and mental health by walking the walk ourselves.
We learned the hard way that burnout gets worse before it gets better. Uncertainty has only made burnout even worse, so I wish I had made deeper changes earlier to our operating system to address them.
If you’re struggling to get buy-in or alignment on long-term burnout initiatives, just remember that your people are your strongest asset. Investing in their success long-term is investing in your company’s and customers’ success long-term.
When Hannah Mendoza was nine years old, she had an idea: a smoothie bar for kids.
She set up shop in her home economics class and organized a group of classmates to help sell her creations. It was something she loved, Mendoza told Insider. She didn’t know it would foreshadow the business she would one day run.
Today, Mendoza, 29, is CEO and cofounder of two-year-old Clevr Blends, a company that sells instant, “SuperLattes,” infused with “superfoods” like mushrooms and probiotics, which help with digestion. Priced at $28 a bag (each bag makes around 14 lattes), the company told Insider it saw a substantial increase in sales last year and is expecting the trajectory to continue throughout 2021.
On Tuesday, it launched its latest product, a Rose Cacao mix, infused with calming herbs.
Instant coffee has a bad reputation, Mendoza said. However, in her view, it works for next-gen consumers who are always on the go. By marketing her instant coffee as a healthy form of self-care, Mendoza is attempting to tap into the intersection of the billion-dollar coffee market and the trillion-dollar wellness industry. It seems to be working: Meghan Markle – who, alongside Prince Harry, made Times’ 2021’s 100 ‘most influential’ people list – invested an undisclosed amount last year. Oprah also posted about the brand on Instagram. Overall, packaged coffee sales rose during the pandemic, Bloomberg reported.
In an interview with Insider, Mendoza reveals the steps her company is taking to remake instant coffee’s reputation and connect with young consumers, including making sure the brand’s actions match its ethos of empowerment and investing in a sustainable supply chain.
Spotting an intersection of two thriving markets
The global instant coffee market hit $12.1 billion last year, while the global wellness market was estimated at over $4.4 trillion in 2019. Mendoza saw the chance to tap into both by making a coffee and tea alternative that has less sugar and uses an organic mushroom-infused latte mix instead of just coffee beans.
“I would love to be in a position where I can squeeze my own nut milk and blend up an elaborate drink, but that’s not the case and I know that’s not the case for a lot of people,” she continued.
The goal of Clevr Blends is simply to make people feel good, Mendoza said.
Courtesy of Hannah Mendoza
It took one year and “thousands” of iterations for Mendoza to settle on a recipe, she said. The result is now five different instant latte mixes, each infused with ingredients such as lion’s mane, a mushroom that helps improve memory, and ashwagandha, a root that helps reduce stress.
Young consumers, especially, seek to support brands that match their eco-conscious and social values, and Mendoza says it’s important for her brand to “put the money where its mouth is.”
That’s why the company strives to be transparent about its supply chain, touts its mostly female and non-binary team, and donates 1% of its revenue to charity.
“If there are 20 different types of matcha, we ask, ‘which one tastes the best, which one has the best transparent supply chain?” she said, adding, for example, the company sources matcha from Japan and buys turmeric from Diaspora Co., a company specializing in equitable spice trading, located in Oakland.
Clevr Blends also sources cocoa from a regenerative farm in the Ecuadorian rainforests, where farmers manage their lands to make the soil richly bio-diverse. This helps contribute to natural carbon mitigation, and the practice has been a growing trend as brands pivot toward becoming more environmentally friendly.
Knowing your customers intimately is key
In its early days, the Clevr Blends team took the time to meet with customers to garner feedback on how the products made them feel.
Daisy Pyo, a graphic designer based in Brooklyn, discovered the brand on Instagram, where its photos feature soothing pinks, yellows, and greens, waves crashing at the beach, and selfies of people sipping their instant lattes. Pyo told Insider she loves that the powders already contain adaptogens and probiotics so she can skip taking additional supplements in the morning.
Courtesy of Hannah Mendoza
“I really enjoy the ritualistic aspect of starting my day with making matcha in the mornings,” Pyo said. “It’s also just really tasty, so I see it as my little ‘pick-me-up.’ I feel good about incorporating it into my daily routine because I know it’s good for me.”
One high-profile customer turned out to be Markle, as Fortune reported, who found the brand after trying one of its instant lattes and became attracted to its ethical ingredients, community-focused business model, as well as the fact the company is female-led. Fortune reported that after news of the investment spread, the company had a month-long waitlist.
Hannah Mendoza
Courtesy of Hannah Mendoza
Working at a start-up was useful training for running her own
Mendoza always wanted to open her own business.
Growing up outside of London, she decided to move to California, without knowing a soul, after seeing an article about Emma Watson applying to school in the US.
Mendoza figured she’d give it a try, and went on to attend the University of California, Santa Barbra, where she studied applied psychology, global studies, and entrepreneurship.
Her first job was at food startup Imlak’esh Organics, where she learned the importance of organic farming, fostering healthy company culture, and how to be comfortable with the unknown.
It doesn’t hurt to take chances, either.
For instance, Clevr Blends is primarily e-commerce but is sold in one store – Erewhon Market in Los Angeles. A friend of Mendoza’s had a meeting set up with Erewhon buyers for his own product but believed in Clevr Blends so much, he snuck Mendoza and her cofounder into his own buyers’ meeting.
The buyers were skeptical at first but eventually fell in love with Clevr Blends. The same way Markle did, and Oprah, and all those kids at Mendoza’s elementary school. “It was an incredibly rough year for everyone,” Mendoza said. “But if what we’ve created made people’s mornings even ten percent easier – I’m really grateful for that.”
Whether you work a job that keeps you on your feet like restaurant service, retail, or medical care; you’re a runner or other athlete whose feet take a regular beating; or you have plantar fasciitis or swelling issues, your feet deserve a spa day – and, ideally, every day.
If achy or painful feet are a common problem for you, buying an at-home foot massager can actually help provide relief from the comfort of your couch. In fact, most of us would benefit from a little foot care: Simply walking on hard, flat surfaces while running errands and commuting can limit the foot’s range of motion over time, California-based physical therapist, Chad Walding, DPT, told Insider.
Stimulating the muscles and tissues in your feet releases tension, which in turn helps relieve pain and improves your foot’s freedom of movement and balance.
To narrow in on the best foot massager, we spoke with a physical therapist, a podiatrist, and a massage therapist about what to look for in a safe and effective device. If you’re not sure what exactly you’re in the market for, check out our FAQs for some additional guidance from our expert sources.
With customizable patterns of kneading, compression, and heat therapy, the RENPHO Foot Massager Machine is a full-service Shiatsu device and feels like a home spa for your feet.
Pros: Kneads and compresses, customizable settings, washable fabric cover for hygiene, optional heat therapy to help relax muscles and tendons
Cons: A little noisy, might be too intense (or not intense enough) for some users
The best foot massager on the market for value, the RENPHO Foot Massager Machine offers a little bit of everything: kneading, compression, and heat therapy, and the intensity level of each can be customized to suit your piggies’ needs.
There’s no remote to keep track of, and the on-device control panel is wide and spaced out so you can either reach down and make a selection or easily press with your toes. With a removable, washable fabric lining cupping your feet, it’s easy to keep clean and sanitary.
Many people report the RENPHO feels more like a human touch and less mechanical than comparable products. Because it envelops your entire foot, it also offers more attention to heels and ankles — important for tight tendons.
There are three different settings each for kneading and air compression intensity, creating a very personalized experience. There’s also a warming setting to help loosen tight muscles and keep your feet cozy.
Folks with plantar fasciitis report feeling less tension after use in the reviews, especially when used a few days in a row. But if your feet are simply tired, it’s a great choice for relaxation and pampering after a long day, too.
It does take a while for the warmth to kick in (up to 10 minutes), but this is a safety feature to prevent a fire. It’s made to accommodate up to a men’s size 12 foot. Those with small feet will obviously find the device a bit roomier, but you can experiment with different foot placements.
The best budget foot massager
NekTeck
At just $60, the NekTeck offers a heat function with a deep, thorough kneading massage for stiff feet.
Pros: Deep kneading, gentle heat therapy, can be used to massage other parts of the body
Cons: No air compression, one mode and intensity, may have difficulty reaching high arches, only massages bottom of feet
If you’re looking for a Shiatsu-style massage machine but don’t want to spend too much money, the NekTeck Foot Massager offers heat therapy and an intense kneading massage for about half the price of the RENPHO and similar machines.
Instead of fully encasing your feet, this machine cradles from the bottom. With a smooth surface, it’s easy to move your feet around as needed to target the spots that ache, but it requires more finagling to knead out, say, achy arches. The machine’s height can also be adjusted for your ergonomic comfort, and, like the RENPHO, it can be easily turned on and off with your toes.
Since it’s essentially a flat panel, the NekTeck fits a range of foot sizes and is actually a pretty versatile device, in that it can be used on virtually any part of the body — try placing it under sore calves or thighs for some relief.
The kneading massage only has one mode and intensity, but sensitive users can wrap their feet in socks or a towel to soften the sensation. Like the RENPHO, the device may take 10 minutes to fully heat up.
The one major downside to this device is that it only makes contact with the soles of your feet. If your ankles are a particularly painful spot, the NekTeck may not be able to help you much.
Pros: Affordable, convenient, effective, doesn’t require charging or battery
Cons: Doesn’t penetrate as deeply as some other devices
This simple wooden device is a great tool for working out tight, painful spots due to conditions such as plantar fasciitis, or overworked muscles, tendons, or tissue.
Devices like the Theraflow Dual Foot Massager work by applying pressure to the trigger points where pain and tension are held with its pointy nubs, according to Dr. Walding.
While you might think electric and expensive machines would be better, many people actually report this simple version provides more relief to their aching feet thanks to its pinpointing of trigger points and ability to manually control the pressure. It’s also lightweight and small, so you can move it around the house easily and massage your feet under your WFH desk.
Note that those seeking a very intense, deep massage might need something spikier and/or electric-powered. It definitely doesn’t offer the total, at-home spa experience that Shiatsu-style machines do with their humanlike kneading, but if you’re just hoping to manage chronic aches and pains, the Theraflow will likely do the trick.
Compression has long been used as a key treatment for everything from sports-related inflammation to total-body swelling from activities like extended standing or air travel. Sometimes, that simply looks like wrapping the limb in an ace bandage.
But air compression devices “can help squeeze the swelling back up to the heart or lymphatic system, which then helps relieve the symptoms associated with edema, or swelling,” Ashley Lee, DPM, a board-certified podiatrist in Illinois, told Insider.
Of all the foot and leg compression devices online, the FIT KING takes the title for fan favorite — as demonstrated by its nearly 10,000 positive reviews. It is essentially an inflating sleeve that wraps around your foot and calf and is secured with Velcro. It then inflates with air and provides comfortable compression.
Beret Loncar, a NYC-based massage therapist whose practice specializes in massage for medical problems, says a device like the FIT KING can minimize muscle contraction and potentially help move lymphatic fluid through the body, thereby reducing swelling by rhythmically applying small amounts of pressure. This kind of gentle pressure has been demonstrated to help with pain and swelling symptoms caused by fibromyalgia.
That being said, if your swelling is related to a medical condition, diagnosed or not, you should consult with a doctor before buying this or any other medical device. Compression isn’t right for all swelling.
The FIT KING comes with a remote control to adjust between two modes — sequence mode, in which pressure moves up and down the foot and leg, and circulation mode, wherein the pressure is applied everywhere at the same time — and three levels of intensity. It automatically shuts off after 20 minutes.
It’s important to note that compression boots are an entirely different kind of device than, for instance, a Shiatsu machine, so don’t expect a similar experience. These work primarily at the surface of the skin, rather than targeting deep muscle spots like the other products on this list. If swelling isn’t your primary concern, or you want more intense massage options, these boots aren’t for you.
The best foot massager to take on-the-go
Amazon
Recoup Cryosphere is a manual roller that stays cold for up to six hours to help relieve pain.
Loncar suggests using a device that ices your muscles and massages them at the same time, and she, as well as thousands of positive reviews, stand behind the Recoup Cryosphere. Icing helps to increase blood flow and decrease inflammation, Kenneth Jung, MD, orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute in Los Angeles pointed out during medical review.
You can detach the metal ball and throw it in the freezer for a couple of hours, then put it back into its plastic casing for a comfortable handhold. The ball will stay cold for up to six hours and how you use it is up to you — you can sit in a chair while rolling it under your foot or hold it in your hand to really target tight spots.
Being manual, it obviously doesn’t require charging or battery changes. And because it stays cold for so long, it’ll still provide cool relief even after sitting in your gym bag for a while. At $50, it’s not cheap for a non-electronic device, but users swear that its large size, temperature retainment, and ease of use make it genuinely superior to knock-offs.
While the Cryosphere works great as a foot massager, the device is actually designed for full-body use. If you’re an athlete, work an active job, or otherwise deal with muscle soreness in other parts of your body, this versatile roller provides even more bang for your buck.
The best total-body foot massager
Best Buy
The Hyperice Hypervolt is a powerful massage gun that can provide relief for not just sore feet, but also sore muscles anywhere on the body, making it a great investment for active people.
Pros: Powerful, long battery life, versatile use, comes with five head attachments. TSA-approved for travel
Cons: Expensive
If it’s not just your feet but also other muscles that are regularly sore, like for athletes or folks with physical jobs, a versatile, total-body massager may be the smartest investment. Podiatrist Ashley Lee, DPM, and physical therapist Chad Walding, DPT, both recommend a massage gun for relieving sore muscles and agree the device can be used on the bottom of your feet as well.
Walding prefers the top-of-the-line Theragun, but Lee backs the Hyperice Hypervolt, which I’ve been using for two years and also love. For $350, it has the power of expensive massage guns without the nearly double price of a Theragun.
Hyperice’s Hypervolt provides a deep, percussive massage with three speeds reaching a max of 3200 percussions per minute, which is as powerful as most people will need to feel relief.
It’s quiet for a massage gun, and has a ridiculously long battery life — Lee says she can go months without charging hers. It comes with five head attachments and, in my extensive testing of the device, the bullet and fork are ideal for a bottom-of-the-foot massage. My partner is a chef and therefore on his feet all day and night, and he regularly uses our Hypervolt to soothe his sore feet.
As a recreational athlete, I’ve found the Hypervolt has paid for itself in soreness relief, everywhere from my feet after long training days to my glutes and quads. Lee recommends using massage guns like the Hypervolt before an intense activity to loosen and warm up muscles, which can help you feel less sore, as well as after to minimize stiffness.
One note: Lee advises not to use massage guns on bony areas to avoid pain, so skip the top of your foot and stick to the bottom and sides. –Ariana DiValentino and Rachael Schultz, Insider Reviews health and fitness editor
The best basic foot massager
TriggerPoint
The TriggerPoint MBX Massage Ball provides firm pressure to roll out sore arches or your plantar fascia tendon, for a great price.
Pros: Affordable
Cons: Not super versatile on foot pain
This manual massage ball is another of Dr. Walding’s top choices. The lacrosse-style ball really gets in there — it’s meant to mimic the pressure of a massage therapist’s elbow. If you suffer from sore arches or pain with your plantar fascia tendon, put this ball under your foot and let your bodyweight work with the targeted pressure to provide relief. For some, this is really the heart of what they need a foot massager for, and the $20 price tag is a true gift.
However, the ball is a bit of a one-trick pony when it comes to foot pain — if your feet are also sore at the Achilles tendon, ankle, or top of your foot, it’s hard to nail targeted relief with this device.
That being said, this massage ball is intended to be used anywhere on your body to provide trigger point relief, so you can place it between your shoulder blade and a wall to roll out tight spots in your back, or between your calf and the floor to roll out tight muscles that may be contributing to foot pain. –Ariana DiValentino and Rachael Schultz, Insider Reviews health and fitness editor
How we chose which foot massagers were best
I spoke with a physical therapist (DPT), podiatrist (DPM), and a licensed massage therapist about their general advice on buying foot massage devices, which types work best for various issues, and what customers should look for and avoid. I also read through editorial reviews and customer reviews to compare similar products and determine which devices are most loved by users.
We evaluated items based on:
Ease and comfort of use
Value for price
Usefulness in treating specific symptoms (pain, swelling, poor circulation, etc.)
What to consider when buying a foot massager
First and foremost, if you have a medical condition that causes your foot pain or limits your circulation, talk to your doctor before using any device on this list.
If you’ve been given the green light, your best bet is to look for a massage device that’s able to treat your specific issues, like plantar fasciitis, circulation problems, general aches, or swelling due to a job that keeps you on your feet all day.
Loncar advises those with poor circulation in their feet, due to diabetes or other causes, to look for machines that vibrate or for water massagers. Both of these will help stimulate blood flow and sensitivity. She does warn, however, that those with limited sensation in the skin should steer clear of anything that applies deep pressure or kneading in order to avoid unintentionally hurting themselves.
“The concern for diabetics is sometimes they lose sensation in the limbs, or have neuropathy,” Loncar said. “If you cannot tell how deep or strong the pressure is then you risk injury to the skin and foot. It is better to stick to gentle massages that pose the limited risk of being too aggressive.”
If this is you, Loncar advises erring on the side of caution by skipping anything percussive or kneading, including targeted massage guns and Shiatsu-style machines. Dr. Jung adds that neuropathic patients must also be careful with cold or heat because their protective sensations are weakened, so they could get thermal injuries or burns.
If your primary symptom is pain, Loncar suggests trying something with a cold element, like devices that incorporate ice packs. If you’re an athlete or otherwise very active, you probably already know that icing your feet after a long day can provide some relief. A combo cooling-massage device rolls both treatments into one.
If swelling is your biggest concern, she suggests devices that utilize compression. These focus on the lymphatic system and work to push fluid back toward the heart and out of your feet and ankles. Dr. Jung adds that sequential compression works to mimic your natural muscle contractions, which helps mobilize fluid that’s accumulated in the soft tissues.
If you’re having recurring pain, talk to your doctor about it. They can help identify what might be causing it, and what kind of massage treatment is best for you.
Additionally, Dr. Walding recommends looking for foot massagers with a rounded surface, as these provide the best support for muscles and tendons.
What else we considered
Theragun series ($299 – $599): If you’re willing and able to shell out a few hundred dollars (or more), the Theragun line of products is versatile, offering a percussive massage to any part of your body that needs it, feet included. These massage guns can get seriously intense, and are a favorite of professionals, including Dr. Walding.
Theraband Foot Roller ($13.50): Dr. Lee recommends this foot roller for multitasking — if you don’t have time to sit down and roll your feet out on lacrosse balls, this roller is great for stretching tendons while sitting in front of your computer. Try freezing it for extra pain relief.
Med Massager Foot Massager ($299): Designed as a therapeutic device, the Med Massager offers oscillating movement at a whopping 11 different speeds. Massage therapist Loncar likes this for people with circulation issues, such as those with diabetes, because of its stimulating vibrations.
HoMedics Shower Bliss Foot Spa ($66): According to Loncar, water massagers can provide gentle circulatory stimulation for those who need it. This model was Loncar’s top pick, and we like it because it combines the soothing action of bubbles, jets, and massaging nodes that work the soles of your feet.
FAQs
Do foot massagers work?
Foot massagers are useful for relieving pain from a variety of causes by relaxing muscle and tendon tension and loosening the fascia (the soft tissue that surrounds muscle) and the plantar fascia (a large ligament in the arch of the foot), according to Dr. Lee.
They also help restore mobility lost thanks to walking on flat surfaces like pavement in cushioned shoes, says physical therapist Chad Walding, DPT. This everyday activity “ultimately puts our feet and ankles in a cast that further leads us to lose a range of motion, leaving us to get weak in certain areas.”
“When everything [that we walk on] is nice and even, we lose that general functionality,” he explained, referring to the foot’s full range of motion. “Having a foot massager will help break up restrictions within the foot (such as tight ligaments).”
For that reason, foot massagers can be particularly helpful to those with balance problems or frequent falls by improving the foot’s range of motion and general dexterity.
Even if you’re not experiencing specific foot problems, Dr. Walding says massage can be good for “general body hygiene” to counteract the effects of everyday walking.
How often should I use a foot massager?
It’s safe to use a foot massager daily, confirms Dr. Jung. However, you should take care to not use it too intensely, too often. You should never use them to the point where they cause muscle or ligament soreness or pain, and if you feel any tenderness in your soft tissue, give it time to recover and lessen your intensity and time next time.
How do I clean a foot massager?
How to clean a foot massager depends largely on the device. Most ideal is if the foot massager has a removable lining like our top overall pick, the RENPHO, which has a detachable cloth cover you can throw into the washing machine.
If it doesn’t have a removable lining, most plastic or wood machines, like our top budget pick and chronic pain pick, can be wiped down with an anti-bacterial wipe, or, for cloth machines, a damp rag and soapy water.
Which is better: manual or electric?
Manual devices, like rollers and massage balls, can help release tension in the tissue surrounding the muscles. The very common myofascial pain, caused by repetitive activities or lack of activity at all, usually centers on a trigger point — a “knot” that you can feel under the surface. A manual roller or ball can help knead that out.
If you’re looking for more intense treatment for overall tension relief, electronic devices are the way to go, Lee says. Some also provide some air compression, which can help mitigate swelling.
If your primary reason for wanting a foot massager is just for some pleasant self-pampering, an electric massager is probably ideal since it does all the work for you. Most of the mechanized devices you’ll come across offer a Shiatsu-style massage, meaning it uses nodes to simulate the feeling of human hands pressing and kneading that you’d experience in the traditional Japanese practice of Shiatsu, which translates to “finger pressure.”
Are foot massagers safe?
If your foot pain is accompanied by severe swelling, you might want to hold off on anything with strong pressure or kneading. Those with edema or an acute injury may not benefit from deep and forceful massage; instead, it might just cause discomfort in sensitive areas.
“In general, if a part of your foot is super inflamed, then you are not ready for a massage yet,” says Walding.
Lee also advises avoiding massaging any painful areas, particularly “bony prominences,” or places where the bone is close to the skin’s surface.
If your foot pain is related to any specific diagnoses, always check with your doctor prior to any treatment. And of course, any recurring, unexplained pain should be brought to your practitioner’s attention to rule out underlying causes.
Expert sources
We tracked down what foot massagers doctors recommend, along with physical therapists and massage therapists. To do this, we spoke with:
Chad Walding, DPT, physical therapist and co-founder of Glendale, CA-based wellness brand NativePath
Ashley Lee, DPM, a podiatrist with double board certifications in foot surgery and ankle and rearfoot reconstructive surgery. She practices at Northern Illinois Foot & Ankle Specialists in Hinsdale, Illinois.
Beret Loncar, a licensed massage therapist and the owner of New York City clinic Body Mechanics Orthopedic Massage Therapy, which specializes in massage therapy for medical problems. She is also a RRCA certified running coach, certified yoga therapist, and personal trainer.
