Combat coronavirus-related anxiety by baking

Not that you’re not already aware, but the coronavirus outbreak is delivering a one-two punch of health and financial fears across the globe. In fact, our collective COVID-19-related anxiety levels have gotten so high that earlier this month, the World Health Organization issued guidelines for mental health management amid the spread of the virus (now officially a pandemic).

In this time of crisis, it’s safe to say we all deserve to have baked goods.

In her deep dive into the phenomenon for Eater, Jenny G. Zhang writes that “stress baking” can be an effective means of relief and distraction for those of us coping with coronavirus, especially if you’re social distancing/stuck at home right now. Following a recipe line by line provides a sense of control and structure, she points out, and the end result is something comforting and decadent — a “salve for [one’s] anxiety” in these dire times. (Better yet, it’s physically impossible to panic-scroll through your Twitter feed when you’re elbow-deep in cake batter.)

SEE ALSO: Our picks for the best bread makers

If you’re new to the whole baking thing, you’re probably a little intimidated by the notion of homemade bread: It’s one of those things where, if you don’t get your measurements, the timing, or the texture just right, you’ll ruin your whole batch. That’s where a bread maker comes in — it’ll mix, knead, proof, and bake your dough for you and thus minimize the chance of human error.

A couple of these countertop appliances have sold out on Amazon within the past couple of days as more people decide to spend their quarantined time with baked goods, but we managed to track down five models that were still in stock there or at Best Buy. (Note: All prices and availability are accurate at time of publication.) Check ’em out:

Our favorite bread machine for bakers on a budget, this Hamilton Beach model features three crust settings and 14 programmed cycles for different recipes — plus, it comes in three different colors (black, white, and red). Get it at Best Buy for $89.99.

Cuisinart’s sleek, stainless steel bread maker boasts 12 pre-programmed settings and a 13-hour delay start feature that can be set to begin baking overnight so that you wake up to fresh bread. It’s the No. 1 bestselling bread machine on Amazon, where it’s currently sold out, but Best Buy still has it in stock — get it here for $109.99.

Perfect for smaller households, this mini bread maker from the Japanese manufacturer Zojirushi is an eight-program machine that pumps out one-pound loaves. Amazon happens to have it on sale right now for just $183.48, or 21% off its suggested retail price of $233 — get it here.

Zojirushi’s fancy Virtuoso Plus model is a serious baker’s dream: It’s equipped with two kneading blades for properly mixed dough (most bread makers have just one); dual heaters that ensure even baking; a quick-bake option for a fresh loaf in just two-and-a-half hours; and tons of different recipe settings, including gluten-free, vegan, and sugar/salt-free options. Get it on Amazon for $339.99.

Highly rated on Amazon for its customizability, the KBS Pro Stainless Steel Bread Machine features 17 (!) different programs, a large loaf capacity of up to 2.2 pounds, a built-in fruit/nut dispenser, and a 15-hour delay start feature. Get it here for $154.99.