7 things I Keep At My Desk That Make Me Happier + More Productive

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Olay. The opinions and text are all mine.

If you work outside the home (or at home) and you feel “meh” about your work space, I hope this post helps you transform your mindset and space into one that inspires and energizes you and brings you both calm and joy! Here are five things I keep at my desk that make me feel happier, more energized/productive and calm in my workspace.

An espresso machine
An espresso machine at work may seem like a ridiculous splurge (after all, we have a communal coffee maker at work), but since I spend 40 hours a week at the office, it made sense for me. Making myself an almond milk latte with cinnamon infused into the milk every morning (and after lunch) is such a treat and worth every penny. I love starting off my mornings with hot coffee and having a second after lunch. Making my own lattes still feels special, even though it’s something I enjoy daily.

It starts my morning off on the right foot and I love sipping my latte as I read my morning emails. My espresso machine is set up at an area of my desk away from my computer (I have an L-shaped desk) and I keep my almond milk in a mini fridge a few co-workers and I share. Several of my co-workers have their own Keurig too.

If you don’t like coffee or espresso or can’t have a machine at your desk, you can still bring in things that make your morning coffee more awesome like your own creamer, a milk frother or even an assortment of your favorite teas.

Art and framed photos
I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to make your work space (whether it’s at home or in an office), yours. For me, that means surrounding myself with things I love – I decorate my cubicle space in the same way I’d want a space in my home to feel. I love art and framed photos, brass and other décor elements. I want the space I work in everyday to bring me joy – so being surrounded by things I love and are visually pleasing to me is important, especially in a beige, bland space.

I totally re-did my cubicle last year and doing so made it a space I love coming to every day. I hung a mix of art and framed family photos in a gallery-wall style on every “wall” of my space (I was able to use thumb tacks – they remove totally and you can’t tell there was ever a tack there if you need to move something – how you hang frames may depend on the material your walls are made of).

I also used decorative boxes to store my espresso pods, vitamins, etc. I have a decorative box elevating my computer monitor too, which helps with neck strain and looks much prettier than the typical plastic boxes that are designed for this purpose.

Your space is yours and unless you work in a very conservative office where decorating would not be OK, I encourage you to think of your work space as a place to style to make you happier and more productive. I get compliments on my set up all the time!

A cozy blanket
If your office is like mine, it’s chilly. I’ve never quite gotten used to the AC blowing all day long and so I’m never without a space heater and cozy blanket. A blanket is as useful as it is pretty – you can drape it over your chair when not in use and I think it looks chic! I currently have a black and white striped blanket – super simple and it was under $20 at IKEA! I can’t concentrate when I feel too cold, so for me, warmth is a productivity essential! For some people who run hot a small desk fan may be the better option – whatever optimizes your comfort!

A mid-day refresher
Flourescent office lighting does nothing for anyone’s skin, but there’s a way you can calm and refresh your skin mid-day, no spa visit required. I was introduced last month to Olay Mists – they’re spritz-on essences (great to use over makeup or on bare skin) with ingredients (like aloe leaf, chamomile and B3) to moisturize, soothe and refresh your skin.

I proclaimed my love for toners and essences recently and this mist falls into that category for me (I use the calming mist, but have also tried the energizing). Much like it feels amazing to breathe in a soothing, relaxing or energizing essential oil, Olay’s Calming Mist does that for your skin. It replenishes moisture you lose throughout the day and helps hydrate, calm and reduce inflammation. It also contains no oils, parabens and artificial colors or dyes, which is a big YES in my book.

You can apply Olay Mist prior to your moistuzier or anytime you need to refresh your skin (yes, you can spray it over makeup as it’s a really light formula). I’ve even read reviews where women use it as part of their evening skin care routines. To apply, hold it 5-10 inches away from your face and let is set (dry) on its own. I always keep lip blam and gloss at my desk, so adding this beauty mist with skin-benefitting ingredients has been something that feels like a luxury during my 9-5, and I don’t even have to leave my desk. I’m especially looking forward to amping up the moisture in my skin all winter since it’s always more dry in colder months.
Healthy snacks
Staying on track with healthy eating at work requires preparation. I keep an entire desk drawer full of healthy snacks like RX Bars, almonds, peanut butter, GG crackers, pop chips, plantain chips, etc (I also keep apples in the fridge!) I never want to be in a place where I’m relying on the vending machine. Eating right helps me have more energy and not have those dreaded sugar crashes, and I absolutely consider it one of my self-care priorities.

A good pen and fun accessories
There are so many cute office supplies nowadays (I love Emily Ley’s new line at Target). From a cute stapler to notebooks, desk calendars, pens, etc., I don’t mind splurging on the items that make my smile every time I use them. Plus, they make my work space/desk brighter and happier, too. There’s nothing wrong with basic office accessories, but I’ve always found getting a calendar with artwork I love, nice pens, a cute mug to hold pens, a tray to keep thing at my desk, etc makes all the difference in how I feel working in my space. 

A fabulous work tote
I purchased my LV Neverfull bag when I was pregnant with Harper and it was my first big designer handbag splurge. I’ve carried it to the office on and off for the last five years (I also use it for travel) and it’s such a great bag, it makes me happy every time I see it! I have other handbags and totes I use for work as well and I love catching a glimpse of a favorite bag during my work day. This is along the same lines as surrounding yourself with things you love in your work space – treat yourself to a good quality bag that makes you smile! Barrington Gifts makes a similar bag to the LV for much less and I also use my Tory Burch York tote a ton.What do you keep at your desk or work space that brings you joy? You can purchase Olay Mist at Target!