Desk Accessories
If you’re one of the millions of people that work the classic 9-5 job at the office, you’re in good company. In fact, most of us end up working some type of desk job at some point in our lives.
If you have worked a desk job at any point in your life, you’ve probably had small ways to make the workspace your own. Adding small personal touches makes a huge difference in making possibly long days go by more quickly while going through paperwork at your desk space.
Your desk is going to be a place that you’ll be spending a good amount of time. Typically, around 40 hours per week, to be exact. So why not make those 40 hours a bit more comfortable and pleasant?
We think your desk should never just be a desk. It should be a place that’s conducive to a good day at work. Whether you are looking for office desk accessories for your work or home office, you need to do some research into what office supplies and devices can give your workstation a better feel.
Here are a few accessories to make your desk more comfortable.
Working at a Desk Job is Harder than it Sounds
We often hear people say that office jobs are “cushy” or “comfortable,” but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
In fact, there are a lot of hidden dangers lurking in an office setting. The biggest ones come from the same thing that everyone believes is the easiest part: sitting at a desk all day.
Remaining seated for long periods of time can lead to some surprising health issues. These typically include things like lower back pain, possible formation of clots in your legs, and overall poor circulation throughout your body.
That’s what makes it so important to expand your buying choices to find office accessories that help your body deal with the hours of being seated in your workspace.
Here are a few of our recommendations.
Ergonomic Mouse Pad
If you sit at a computer through your work schedule, you need to use some form of an ergonomic mouse pad or keyboard pad.
One of the biggest concerns when it comes to long hours of typing on a laptop is carpal tunnel syndrome. This condition is caused by a pinched nerve somewhere in the hand or wrist that causes a stinging or aching pain in your hands and fingers.
Frequently the risk of getting carpal tunnel increases with typing and using a computer mouse. By propping your wrists up on a gel pad when you type or click, you take pressure off of them, leading to less stress and pain.
Gel-Infused Coccyx Cushion
When you sit at a desk all day, your backside is bound to get a little bit sore or achy after a while.
If you notice that your tailbone, also known as your coccyx, is sore after a long week at the office, you should consider getting yourself a coccyx cushion. These comfy pillows sit in the seat of your desk chair and provide the perks of extra contoured support to your backside.
This support results in an even distribution of weight, allowing you to avoid that achy feeling when your backside seems to “go to sleep.” The redistribution of weight also encourages you to maintain better posture throughout your shift, helping reduce future aches and pains.
The gel infusion also creates a cooling effect, reducing that overheated situation that often happens when you sit in a chair for too long. Maximum comfort when you’re working is the name of the game.
Foot Rest
If you sit for too long, your feet eventually begin to fall asleep or get that “pins and needles” feeling. You’ve probably only wished that you didn’t have to deal with that feeling, right?
Luckily, you don’t have to. Too many people (especially those of us who are a little shorter than average) suffer from an insufficient elevation in their feet and legs. This can lead to not only those pins and needles but numbness and long-term effects like blood clots or unsightly varicose veins.
A footrest or foot hammock can keep your feet in an elevated position that allows them to truly relax. A footrest also holds up the full weight of your legs and feet, taking pressure off of your back.
Chair Arm Rest Cushions
Sometimes, we use chairs that have terrible armrests. When you take a break from all of that furious typing that you do throughout the day, you want to be able to take a break and rest your sore arms.
When you get to kick back and relax, you need to be able to rest your arms on something comforting. That’s where a special cushion armrest can enter your life and shake things up.
Armrests that are made from memory foam or even a special gel can give your arms the much-needed rest that they deserve.
Essential Oil Diffuser
Working at a desk all day can become a bit stressful or tiring. After all of that looking at a screen, you’re bound to suffer from a bit of fatigue and even the occasional headache.
To prevent that midday burnout without reaching for another cup of cheap coffee, try using an essential oil diffuser or humidifier at your desk. Using scents like lavender can relax and relieve your anxieties, where peppermint oil can lift your mood and inspire energy.
Switch it up with different scents to keep things interesting.
If you do work in the office, make sure you check with your cubicle-mates since some people can be sensitive to certain scents. If you work at home, of course, you won’t have to worry about this.
You’re Going to Spend a Lot of Time at Your Desk
When you work at a desk all day, you spend quite a lot of time there. If you’re going to be spending the majority of your weekdays at your desk, why not make it somewhere that you can feel comfortable relaxing in during long shifts?
Look to fill your space with whimsy and make sure that any sort of decoration you chose for your space helps you feel more comfortable during the week.
Sources:
Office work: Safety basics | WorkSafe
"Can using a computer cause carpal tunnel syndrome?" | Joseph J. Schreiber, MD