1. A Bottle of Water

Water is very important to your health. Our bodies have to have water to stay well-hydrated. While the amount of water that we individually need can vary, going for four 16 ounce bottles of water a day is a good goal. Water is also helpful in fighting the dry skin winter can cause. Make sure that a bottle of water is among your work desk essentials.

2. Hand Sanitizer

With cold and flu season in full swing, hand sanitizer is a must for your work desk. It’s best if you can wash your hands with soap and water but when you aren’t near a faucet, hand sanitizer is a good second. Use it before eating and after handling germy things like money. If a sick co-worker stops by, it’s a good idea to use some after they go on their way. You can also use it when you’re sick so you don’t spread germs to others.

3. Kleenexes

Kleenexes help you keep from spreading germs by catching sneezes and sniffles. It’s also good if you can have them on your work desk for others to use if they’re in your workspace. If you suffer from allergies then you won’t want to go without Kleenexes. It’s just a must for your work desk. One nice thing about this work desk essential is that Kleenex boxes now come in lots of cute designs.

4. Healthy Snacks

It’s good to keep a stash of healthy snacks in your work desk. This’ll help you to stay away from the office vending machine, which probably doesn’t offer as many healthy choices. There are many healthy snack options you can take to the office with you, such as dried fruits and nuts, fruit juices, healthy granola bars and more. This can also help you stay away from the office candy dish.

5. Hand Lotion

Dry, cracked hands hurt. They’re also an invitation for germs because of the cracks in your skin. Keeping some hand lotion on your desk can help to prevent this. I love Mary Kay’s hand lotion but there are many different options to choose from. Choose one that feels good and has an appealing scent and you’ll be more likely to use it.

6. Clorox Wipes

Clorox wipes are a work desk essential you don’t want to be without. This is especially true if you share a work station. They come in handy whenever your work desk partner is sick and you don’t want to catch their yucky illness. Even if it’s just you, they’re good to have. Try to get in the practice of wiping down your desk, keyboard and phone at the end of each day. This allows you the peace of mind to know you’re coming into a clean work station the next morning.

7. An Ergonomically Designed Work Station

Sometimes you don’t have a choice in the work equipment that’s provided to you. But when you do, always go for an ergonomically designed work station. This can save you hours of aches and pains. If you have an opportunity, express your desire for ergonomically sound equipment for your work station. Many times a company will be agreeable because they realize this can mean fewer work-related injuries.

These are 7 work desk essentials. How did your desk stack up? Do you have some of these work desk essentials in your workspace?