15 Items to Keep at Your Desk to Reduce Stress

By Lorena Roberts on August 20, 2017

Are you finding yourself pretty stressed at work or school? Do you feel like you’re getting bogged down in your to-do list and there’s no escape? Here are 15 items you should keep at your desk for those moments when you’re drowning in deadlines.

1. A stress ball

You probably saw this one coming, but keeping a stress ball at your desk will definitely help you keep calm. When your boss comes by and demands that report two weeks earlier than usual, you’ll have something to take your frustration out on. When you can’t remember what APA citation form is, you can squeeze out your anger.

2. Chinese meditation balls

Roll these in your palms to relieve stress. Don’t believe me? Don’t knock it ’til you try it. Pick up a pair of these on Amazon and I promise it’ll change your life.

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3. Scalp massager

The most dreamy feeling in the world is having someone rub your head — go ahead, agree with me. So imagine having one of these at your desk when you’re feeling extra stressed. Jump on Amazon and get you one — right now. And then keep reading.

4. Kneadable eraser

You’re going to make mistakes. Go ahead and just acknowledge that there’s no way you’re going to have a perfect day. So while you’re erasing your latest misspelled word, or changing up your penciled-in lunch dates, get you an eraser that forms to your frustration. It’ll give you a good daily hand workout.

5. USB aromatherapy diffuser

Did you even know this was a thing? You’re. Welcome. Sure, it might be like $20, but it’ll probably be the best 20 bucks you’ve ever spent. Imagine working your day away to the scent of your favorite spa. You’ll be in the clouds with this trinket.

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6. 3D pin art

I didn’t even know these were still around — but this is definitely something you’re going to need at your desk when you’re having a brain fart … or writer’s block. Whether you smush your face into it, or your hand, it’ll save you from having the meltdown you can feel coming on since lunch.

7. Finger skateboard

Annoy the heck out of your co-workers with this little diddy. You’ll be able to practice all your skating tricks at the convenience of your desk. Sit down and get a good triple flip thing in before you really settle down to be productive. It’ll start your day off on the right foot … or … finger?

8. Snacks

You’re bound to get hungry. Keep some non-perishable snacks handy throughout the day. When your tummy starts grumbling, it’s hard to concentrate. You’ll be thankful you stocked your bottom drawer.

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9. A soft rug

When your toes need to scrunch, you’ll want a soft rug to scrunch them on. This is a staple of any stress-free environment. Plus, you can make it cute as well!

10. Mala beads

These are used for prayer and meditation — both of which are things you do at work and school multiple times throughout the day. If you don’t have your own set of Mala beads, I honestly don’t know how you’re surviving day to day.

11. Gum

That weird taste in your mouth just isn’t going to go away — and there’s no way you’re going to be able to stop thinking about how gross it tastes. Keeping gum/mints handy will help you focus on what needs focusing, instead of wishing you listened to your dentist and kept a toothbrush at the office.

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12. A comfy scarf

Does your neck ever get chilly? Maybe it just needs a snuggle. Keep a comfy scarf close by so you can wrap up when you need to. A cold neck is not a productive neck.

13. An extra sweater/sweatshirt

The number one issue that can kill a productive work session is being too cold. All of a sudden your entire body is shaking and you just can’t focus. Avoid this by keeping a nice comfy sweater or sweatshirt within reach. Once you’ve easily fixed your temperature problem, it’ll be easier to get back to work!

14. Deodorant

Imagine your worst nightmare — panicking about a deadline and getting … wait for it … sweat stains. And then you stink. And you feel like the kid in the next study cubicle can smell you, no matter how hard you try to mask it. You even go to the bathroom and try to soak it up with paper towels.

Don’t be that guy. Keep a spare deodorant at your desk. It’ll come in handy, I promise.

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15. Slippers/comfy sneakers

Yeah. Wear your pumps to the office. Get blisters. Good idea.

No. Keep a pair of comfy shoes at your desk for during the day. Whether you’re running down the hall to check your mailbox, to the vending machine, or out to your car to get a charger for your phone, you don’t want to be stuck with one choice of shoe and one choice only. Trust me on this one.

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