Listening gear

My Bose QuietComfort Headphones

These ones are beloved, and I've never owned a pair with better sound quality. The noise canceling is the part that matters for a daytime session, because it switches on and you're in your own private bubble. That's exactly what you want when you're trying to find twenty quiet minutes inside a day that isn't quiet.

You can save a little with a refurbished pair. And there's a newer model available here.

The MusiCozy Sleep Mask

I'm a side sleeper, and headphones and earbuds just aren't comfortable enough for me at night. So I sleep in a MusiCozy, a soft sleep mask that blocks out light completely, with flat Bluetooth speakers tucked into the fabric right where my ears are.

• The speakers are flat enough to lie on, so nothing digs into your ear whichever way you turn.
• They're adjustable, so you can slide them inside the band until they line up with your ears.
• The eye part is indented, so it doesn't press on your eyes like some other sleep masks (that feeling drives me nuts).
• The buttons are on the front of the band, so you can adjust the volume level once you're already lying down.
• The mask is machine washable. You slide the electronics out first, and then it goes through the washing machine.