By: Danny Bradbury
Your desk is your office sanctuary. No matter what happens at work, it’s the place where you have everything you need to get through the day. Be sure that you’re well stocked up to cope with every situation by shopping from our list of emergency desk items. It’ll keep you functional and comfortable during everything bar a zombie apocalypse. If that happens, you’re on your own.
Charger
If you don’t forget yours, someone else will. You can be the office angel with a spare charger always on call.
Comfortable shoes or flats
Nothing screams misery more than painful shoes. They may be necessary for meetings but when back at your desk, try to kick them off and put on something soothing. Why not fuzzy slippers? Go nuts!
Community snacks
You can boost your social status by bringing in snacks for colleagues to graze at when they pass by. Try to keep them relatively healthy and easy to pick at. Chocolate pretzels, veggie chips or granola bites are all good options.
Deodorant (travel size)
For hot days or after awkward meetings, it pays to have something that keeps you fresh.
Dryer sheet or static spray
Prevent the dreaded cling while in the office. Stay looking sharp and put together with anti-static spray. Your co-workers will also thank you when you save their outfit.
First aid kit
Try to include the basics for cuts, scrapes and burns. Also, ensure that your kit includes plenty of padded bandages to help with those uncomfortable shoes.
Tissues
You can keep colds and sniffles away by having a box of these handy at all times. Level up with moisturizing ones.
Hand sanitizer
It’s flu season! Hand sanitizer is very important to keep. For added points, you can use a sanitizer dispenser at your desk for visitors.
Headphones
A set of headphones not only keeps you fueled up with Arcade Fire awesomeness to get you through that quarterly marketing analytics spreadsheet, but also stops Oliver from customer service regaling you with his lame jokes. Bonus.
Lint roller
Useful for dark clothing days. Essential if you have an office pet. Unless it’s a goldfish.
Nuts or trail mix
A handful of these high-protein snacks can keep you feeling full throughout the day, without bloating you with carbs or spiking your blood sugar.
Mints or breath freshener strips
A handy pack of breath fresheners can keep you confident and fresh, no matter who swings by your desk. Especially Derek from sales.
Scarf, sweater and mittens
When the heating is a little too low or when the weather takes a turn outside, some extra layering never goes amiss. Try to keep mittens fingerless in case you need some extra warmth while typing at your desk.
Spare cash
Occasionally, nothing but a chocolate bar from the vending machine will do. And office gift collections can sometimes be unexpected. Try not to be caught without cash.
Umbrella
When the rain picks up and you need to make a dash outside the office, a compact brolly can be invaluable. It can also make you a superhero when you lend it to a colleague.
Water bottle
Stay hydrated and support the environment without spending needlessly on bottled water. Try to keep a BPA-free water bottle filled and at your desk.