5 Affordable Mood-Boosting Items to Add to Your Home Office
It’s been three weeks of isolation. Work is already doing a fabulous job ignoring boundaries. You’ve said out loud, multiple times, “What day is it?” You’re worried about the state of the world and adjusting to the “new-normal” feels uncomfortable, strange even. On top of it all, that pesky co-worker Karen (your dog) got into the garbage again.
You could really use a pick me up right about now.
Well, thank goodness you’re reading this because I’ve compiled a list of 5 affordable mood boosting items everyone should add to their home office. From plants to phone apps, we’ll discuss the benefits of enhancing your space to increase your productivity and improve your work-from-home attitude.
While sun lamps are most commonly used to treat Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression that onsets when the days get shorter, it turns out they come in pretty handy when you aren’t able to leave the house, too!
Sun lamps are meant to mimic the light emitted by the sun. According to the healthcare experts at healthline.com, the light from a sun lamp is believed to have a positive impact on serotonin and melatonin. Increasing these important chemical levels in the brain help to control your sleep and wake cycle, reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression while improving mood.
To feel the mood-boosting effects from a sun lamp, the light distributed from the lamp must enter your eyes indirectly. Healthline suggests placing the sun lamp on your desk 16 to 24 inches away from your face, positioning the sun lamp 30 degrees overhead (if the lamp allows), and sitting in front of the lamp for 20 to 30 minutes.
While these UV-free lamps are generally considered safe, there are a few side effects to note. Headache, eye strain, and/or nausea may occur. Please consult a doctor before use.
Affordable finds:
Miroco LED Therapy Light: $39.99 on Amazon
UV-Free
Built-in timer
Portable design
Side note: This is the sun lamp I have and I highly recommend ;)
Circadian Optics Lattis Light Therapy Lamp: $69.99 on Amazon
Featured on The Today Show with Dr. Oz and Shark Tank
Decorative display
Long-lasting LED/ UV-free bulbs
The world-renowned Cleveland Clinic suggests that coloring takes your attention away from yourself and onto the present moment, all while relaxing your brain. So, set a midday alarm and spend 20-30 minutes coloring. Taking frequent breaks while working from home is necessary and adding a predictive form of creativity to your breaks will keep your productivity and mental health at max.
PTSD from forced coloring as a kid? Marygrace Berberian, a certified art therapist and Clinical Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator for the Graduate Art Therapy program at NYU suggests that coloring can be particularly effective for those who aren’t comfortable with more creatively expressive forms of art.
Ready to fill up some pages with colorful hues? Here are some totally FREE or affordable coloring page options to get you started:
Thousands of free color-by-number pages
Download your creations straight to your phone
Fount Leather Activity Booklet (IG: @fount)
Free downloadable activity booklet
Multiple coloring pages
Feel-good activities
Guided moment of silence inspired by Mr. Fred Rogers
Cat Willett Coloring Pages (IG: @catxwillett)
Free to $3.00
50% of proceeds support the World Health Organization
Options range from inspiring women leaders to big cats (ah, the oh-so-relevant Tiger King…)
Okay, so TikTok is not really an item, but if you’re bored in the house and you’re in the house bored, I’d put money on the fact that watching a few TikTok videos during your lunch break will increase your mood.
You don’t even have to participate. Just download the app to your phone and prepare to smile, laugh, and say “WTF” multiple times over.
However, if you choose to dive head first into the creative world of amateur video production, TikTok is going to be your new best friend. There are so many challenges to participate in and funny videos to imitate that you’ll forget quarantine is a thing (for a little while, at least.)
Just download it and experience the joy for yourself, will ya?
Forbes suggests that spending a little green on greens can do wonders for your well-being, and they’ve got the scientific evidence to back it up:
Plants reduce stress and anxiety: "It has also been established that plants confer positive changes in the brain's electrical activity, muscle tension and heart activity," notes environmental health expert Danica-Lea Larcombe, in an article published in The Conversation.
They improve air-quality: Research highlights that rooms with houseplants contain up to 60% less airborne molds and bacteria than rooms without any greenery.
Plants act as natural humidifiers: Plants release moisture from their leaves into the air, which is helpful when cooped up inside. Adding some greenery to your home is an all-natural way to regulate dry indoor air. If you have pets and kids, be sure to do your research before bringing any plants into the home to avoid unsafe situations.
They enhance your cognitive skills: According to a study conducted by Texas A&M University, keeping potted plants and flowers around your workspace can improve your creative performance and problem-solving skills.
Plants facilitate healing: A Kansas State University research study recommends keeping plants around your home office to feel calm.
If you’ve been ready to improve your well-being, here are some ways you can get your hands on some greenery without leaving your home:
Offers unique packaging technology to hold plant pots securely in place for mess-free delivery
Unpack, place, and enjoy
Packaging includes detailed instructions for plant care
Plant prices range from $35 to $190 (free shipping above $50)
Choose from pet-friendly options to the best home-office plants
Offers live plant and flower options delivered directly to your door with brick and mortar stores in Los Angeles, New York City, and San Francisco
Each package includes care instructions and direct access to their team of plan experts
Take your love for plants a step further with their COVID-19 friendly (and super affordable) on-line workshops
Monthly subscription options for plant-parent beginners
Prices as low as $5
*Small Business Plug: If you’re in the Cleveland area, Urban Planting Cleveland will provide no-contact delivery straight to your door. Visit their Instagram @urbanplantingcleveland for details.
You may have ignored the targeted social media ads for weighted blankets, or therapeutic throws weighing between 5 and 30 pounds, because you doubt they work.
But, hear me about for a sec.
Weighted blankets are actually scientifically proved to relieve stress, decrease symptoms of anxiety, and improve mood. A research study by The University of Massachusetts explains that deep pressure stimulation can reduce autonomic arousal, the stimulation responsible for symptoms of anxiety, such as increased heart rate. In the study, the researchers found that using a weighted blanket decreased levels of anxiety in 33% of the 32 participants.
If you love to fidget or find yourself increasingly off task while working from home, placing a weighted blanket on your lap or around your shoulders will improve your attention and reduce movements associated with hyper activity. In a different study, it was found that people wear weighted blankets a during continuous performance test experienced reduction in falling off task, leaving their seat, and fidgeting.
Pretty cool, huh?
Do yourself a self-care favor and buy one ASAP, but don’t forget to do some quick research before purchasing to find out which weight is best for you.
The weighted blanket I swear by is 20 pounds and only $39.99 on Amazon.
The Bottom Line
Working from home can be detrimental to your well-being if you forget stick to a schedule and take care of yourself throughout the work day. Stay on top of your needs by purchasing or downloading these super affordable mood-boosting items for your home office:
Sun Lamp: Turn that frown upside down by catching some UV-free rays in the comfort of your office
Coloring Pages: Feel an instant boost of creativity that forces you to be present in the moment during your frequent WFH breaks
TikTok: prepare to belly laugh (which is always good for the soul!)
Plants: scientifically proven to increase your mood and improve indoor air quality (bonus points because they’re pretty to look at!)
Weighted blanket: Relax your nervous system and improve your mood, all with one deep-pressure simulating blanket