How to relax in my cubicle at work
September 21, 2017 6:54 PM Subscribe
I've had a long and kinda-stressful week at work and it's not quite over. What can I do to feel super-relaxed and calm when I'm in a cube farm? (That is, in addition to the large quantities of herbal tea I already consume.)
I was just thinking about how when I come home I light some scented candles, switch from overhead lights to lamps, change into house slippers, etc... and yesterday I bought a face mask and lazed around with that on which was extra nice. All those things are super nice but not really feasible in my cube! So what is the cubicle-friendly equivalent to these things? Definitely willing to throw money at this problem.
I was just thinking about how when I come home I light some scented candles, switch from overhead lights to lamps, change into house slippers, etc... and yesterday I bought a face mask and lazed around with that on which was extra nice. All those things are super nice but not really feasible in my cube! So what is the cubicle-friendly equivalent to these things? Definitely willing to throw money at this problem.
Scented lotion and/or a sachet that smells awesome. Earbuds/headphones so you can listen to waterfalls or bird sounds or whatever sounds soothe you. A very smooth object, like a stone or a well polished piece of wood, that fits in your hand. As above, nature photos. Maybe a flip calendar so you can switch up the images.
posted by bilabial at 7:06 PM on September 21, 2017
posted by bilabial at 7:06 PM on September 21, 2017
I love noise blocking headphones with nature sounds. (Tons of phone apps for these sort of things). I also have a 3-monitor setup, but the third is almost always unused, and instead it's super important for me to have an awesome background picture on that monitor thats always right there in front of my face. It just makes me so much happier than anything else I have on my desk. I have the background pic rotating on a daily basis from my collection of high-res images I just love, so there's always something new every day.
posted by cgg at 7:09 PM on September 21, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by cgg at 7:09 PM on September 21, 2017 [1 favorite]
I have some incense-like perfume I wear that actually really really helps, as well as a potted plant (peace lilies are almost impossible to kill). I also keep meaning (and forgetting) to bring in a desk lamp. I am also tempted to get a sheet of wood the size of my desk and cover it, so more natural materials. Make sure your desk/chair etc is adjusted correctly, and bring in a new chair if you need to. Keep slippers under your desk and wear work shoes that slip on and off easily.
Can you have headphones? Music and podcasts. My headphones were about $30 and eliminate some white noise, which is nice. Sometimes I listen to coffee shop noise too.
Go for walks as much as you can get away with.
Find some nice desktop backgrounds (I use Unsplash).
If you have an office kitchen, making actual pots of tea or a little french press of coffee is really nice too, and a way to introduce a subtle scent to the cube. Honestly, cube life is sort of like sensory deprivation and scent goes a really long way towards relaxing me (YMMV?).
posted by jrobin276 at 7:11 PM on September 21, 2017
Can you have headphones? Music and podcasts. My headphones were about $30 and eliminate some white noise, which is nice. Sometimes I listen to coffee shop noise too.
Go for walks as much as you can get away with.
Find some nice desktop backgrounds (I use Unsplash).
If you have an office kitchen, making actual pots of tea or a little french press of coffee is really nice too, and a way to introduce a subtle scent to the cube. Honestly, cube life is sort of like sensory deprivation and scent goes a really long way towards relaxing me (YMMV?).
posted by jrobin276 at 7:11 PM on September 21, 2017
Lip balm, snacks, good smelling hand sanitizer - I splurge on fancy brands of things that I ordinarily wouldn't use so it feels extra special to get to use it when I'm working.
A low light or artificial plant.
posted by ilovewinter at 7:11 PM on September 21, 2017
A low light or artificial plant.
posted by ilovewinter at 7:11 PM on September 21, 2017
Acquire or make one of those rice bags you microwave and use for lumbar support or on the back of your neck. Get an unscented one so the office kitchenette doesn't stink of lavender. (If you want a nice scent experience, get a separate sachet that you just keep in your cube.)
Commit a fashion crime: loosen a pair of sandals so they are a bit big on you and wear them with the squishiest socks you can find. Leave this setup in your cube and change in and out of them there or else the fashion police will get you, but this has the added bonus of ritual where the shoe transition will assist in shifting your mental state. If you have a budget, there are relatively attractive slipper shoes available that you could probably wear around the office without being a fashion criminal, like fur lined loafers.
posted by Mizu at 7:55 PM on September 21, 2017
Commit a fashion crime: loosen a pair of sandals so they are a bit big on you and wear them with the squishiest socks you can find. Leave this setup in your cube and change in and out of them there or else the fashion police will get you, but this has the added bonus of ritual where the shoe transition will assist in shifting your mental state. If you have a budget, there are relatively attractive slipper shoes available that you could probably wear around the office without being a fashion criminal, like fur lined loafers.
posted by Mizu at 7:55 PM on September 21, 2017
Ugh, please be careful with any use of scents. Your Deeply Soothing Rejuvenation Aroma may be someone else's What the F*** Is That Reek, and there's no way for people sitting nearby to get away from your smells.
Five minutes with a microwaveable eye mask can work wonders for soothing.
posted by praemunire at 8:03 PM on September 21, 2017 [25 favorites]
Five minutes with a microwaveable eye mask can work wonders for soothing.
posted by praemunire at 8:03 PM on September 21, 2017 [25 favorites]
I keep little desk toys that I can mess with for a minute to get out that nervous energy that builds when I'm stressed (this toy was a lifesaver).
I will go wash my hands when I'm stressed out but if you can't get up from your desk, rubbing your hands together as if you're washing them (palm to the back of your other hand, not palm to palm) can have a similar effect.
posted by toomanycurls at 8:15 PM on September 21, 2017
I will go wash my hands when I'm stressed out but if you can't get up from your desk, rubbing your hands together as if you're washing them (palm to the back of your other hand, not palm to palm) can have a similar effect.
posted by toomanycurls at 8:15 PM on September 21, 2017
My boss wears proper perfume that wafts in with her, and depending on what it is I might love or hate it. Agree try not to annoy whoever sits next to you.
Mine comes in an eyedropper - I can judiciously apply it to myself (under a sweater is good) so that I can smell me, but anyone else would have to be right up in my grill to smell it. I also had a solid version for a while that came in a tube like chapstick, and I'd just sort of huff it when I was tense and not even wear it. It's Breath of God (Lush). I also like some of the ones by Pacifica at WholeFoods. (Also, we're restructuring and I'm sitting in an empty corner of the building alone, so...)
Have you seen kinetic sand?! I definitely should get some more. I had some knock-off version that was neon yellow but it stained my fingers after awhile - I'd go for "natural".
posted by jrobin276 at 8:26 PM on September 21, 2017
Mine comes in an eyedropper - I can judiciously apply it to myself (under a sweater is good) so that I can smell me, but anyone else would have to be right up in my grill to smell it. I also had a solid version for a while that came in a tube like chapstick, and I'd just sort of huff it when I was tense and not even wear it. It's Breath of God (Lush). I also like some of the ones by Pacifica at WholeFoods. (Also, we're restructuring and I'm sitting in an empty corner of the building alone, so...)
Have you seen kinetic sand?! I definitely should get some more. I had some knock-off version that was neon yellow but it stained my fingers after awhile - I'd go for "natural".
posted by jrobin276 at 8:26 PM on September 21, 2017
This is sorta weird, but I put a mason jar full of chocolate eggs on my desk around, um, Easter, and I still have some left because apparently I enjoy looking at the jar and occasionally opening it to smell the chocolate to actually eating the eggs. I don't think other people can smell anything since the jar is usually sealed, and it's really aesthetically pleasing, with soothing pastel colors that people compliment. Seriously, I have never felt more put together than when I behold that jar, plus I also get to eat the eggs when I want a snack.
posted by ferret branca at 9:04 PM on September 21, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by ferret branca at 9:04 PM on September 21, 2017 [1 favorite]
Best answer: plants are really great for making your desk feel like an oasis. Pothos do well in low light, and will grow long tendrils that you can drape all over your desk area. I used command hooks to create a living wall once my plant got big enough. If there is no natural light you can get a small desklamp and use a grow bulb with it. Also, if you have the cubicle dividers that are fabric covered, it is super easy to re-cover them with fabric that you like, in a colour you find soothing. Just pin the fabric on and you have turned your cubicle into a cozy den.
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 9:39 PM on September 21, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 9:39 PM on September 21, 2017 [1 favorite]
I may just be weird but if you like that kind of thing - a microwaveable wheat or cherry stone cushion can live in your desk and be deployed as required. I find it super relaxing to have that kind of hot and heavy thing on my neck or the small of my back or to just cuddle it.
posted by koahiatamadl at 12:32 AM on September 22, 2017
posted by koahiatamadl at 12:32 AM on September 22, 2017
Can you find a picture of a favourite peaceful spot, a place that you associate with relaxation? Maybe your yard, or your parents' yard, a nearby park or that lovely place you found while on holiday? Have that printed in a large size, maybe on fabric, and hang it where you can see it.
posted by Too-Ticky at 4:57 AM on September 22, 2017
posted by Too-Ticky at 4:57 AM on September 22, 2017
Best answer: I've also started sending myself / bringing in cut flowers. I like the low-light plants, but something about flowers, especially lilies is just nice. Treated well, with plant food and refilling the vase as needed, they can last 2 weeks or more.
posted by dame at 6:20 AM on September 22, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by dame at 6:20 AM on September 22, 2017 [2 favorites]
I have a thin rope to practice different knots when i want to relax. Super-effective ("left of right, first this then uhm, that part above that one ... huh, stress is gone") and useful as well.
posted by kmt at 8:02 AM on September 22, 2017
posted by kmt at 8:02 AM on September 22, 2017
Depending on your workplace's facilities guidelines, these might work for you:
- I covered my desktop surface with cork tiles attached together with tape on the underside. The color and texture are a vast improvement on beige melamine, it's a softer surface for elbows and wrists to rest, and as a nice bonus, absorbs minor water/tea spills. You can easily cut it to size or to fit around corners. I found mine in 4-packs at a craft store.
- Artwork. I hung posters and postcards from museums and national parks I've visited. Other folks around here have lightweight decor like pretty scarves/bandanas, garlands, etc. It's probably possible to "wallpaper" an entire cube in nice-colored fabric cut to size. We stick T-pins or quilting pins into the fabric of the cube walls; if you have a hard-walled surface, Command strips might work.
posted by fifthpocket at 8:20 AM on September 22, 2017
- I covered my desktop surface with cork tiles attached together with tape on the underside. The color and texture are a vast improvement on beige melamine, it's a softer surface for elbows and wrists to rest, and as a nice bonus, absorbs minor water/tea spills. You can easily cut it to size or to fit around corners. I found mine in 4-packs at a craft store.
- Artwork. I hung posters and postcards from museums and national parks I've visited. Other folks around here have lightweight decor like pretty scarves/bandanas, garlands, etc. It's probably possible to "wallpaper" an entire cube in nice-colored fabric cut to size. We stick T-pins or quilting pins into the fabric of the cube walls; if you have a hard-walled surface, Command strips might work.
posted by fifthpocket at 8:20 AM on September 22, 2017
Best answer: I bought a plush bath mat that I use under my keyboard. My hands and wrists get achy and this is much nicer to rest them on than the cold hard desktop. (I got mine at Walmart, I think I paid about 15 bucks.)
A set of office chair arm pads!
This soft foam foot rest is super comfy
A set of small sturdy balls for rolling your stocking feet on under your desk. A bit of exercise and foot massage all in one!
A heating pad with a cozy cover. All kinds of uses. Warm your cold feet, use at your back to soothe strain & pain, put it on your lap if you get chilly. Super comforting.
Comfort food such as hot cocoa mix & soups
Gregorian chants are quiet and soothing when you feel frazzled and need to block out obnoxious office noise.
LED flickering candles
Aromatherapy inhalers, to enjoy scents without bothering your neighbors. These are pre-infused with various scents for different moods, or you can buy blank inhalers to infuse with your own personal blend.
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 9:20 AM on September 22, 2017
A set of office chair arm pads!
This soft foam foot rest is super comfy
A set of small sturdy balls for rolling your stocking feet on under your desk. A bit of exercise and foot massage all in one!
A heating pad with a cozy cover. All kinds of uses. Warm your cold feet, use at your back to soothe strain & pain, put it on your lap if you get chilly. Super comforting.
Comfort food such as hot cocoa mix & soups
Gregorian chants are quiet and soothing when you feel frazzled and need to block out obnoxious office noise.
LED flickering candles
Aromatherapy inhalers, to enjoy scents without bothering your neighbors. These are pre-infused with various scents for different moods, or you can buy blank inhalers to infuse with your own personal blend.
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 9:20 AM on September 22, 2017
I've been thinking of getting a tabletop fountain for my cubicle, and possible some bubble-drip hourglass toys. Or maybe an actual hourglass.
To sort out how to make your space more relaxing, you need two starting points: Do you want it more relaxing in general, or are you looking for specific things for stress relief? (A plant is more relaxing in general. A fidget cube may be stress relief. You can do both, but it helps to know what the goal is when researching your options.) And second, what sensory input is important to you? Pretty, relaxing pictures; soft textures to touch; pleasant scents; melodious sounds? Or a combination?
House slippers might not be an option, depending on how visible that would be, but a soft shawl is possible. Flicker-candles are possible, or if those would be annoying or just clash with the work environment, a small lava lamp might work. Or you might like a white noise "ocean waves" cd/mp3 instead of specific music.
posted by ErisLordFreedom at 10:15 AM on September 22, 2017
To sort out how to make your space more relaxing, you need two starting points: Do you want it more relaxing in general, or are you looking for specific things for stress relief? (A plant is more relaxing in general. A fidget cube may be stress relief. You can do both, but it helps to know what the goal is when researching your options.) And second, what sensory input is important to you? Pretty, relaxing pictures; soft textures to touch; pleasant scents; melodious sounds? Or a combination?
House slippers might not be an option, depending on how visible that would be, but a soft shawl is possible. Flicker-candles are possible, or if those would be annoying or just clash with the work environment, a small lava lamp might work. Or you might like a white noise "ocean waves" cd/mp3 instead of specific music.
posted by ErisLordFreedom at 10:15 AM on September 22, 2017
Great ideas so far - anything that will let you soften your enviornment/change the lighting up will be helpful.
I also recommend calm.com they have beautiful loops of scenic places with sound and, if you want short guided meditations.
posted by dadici at 12:48 PM on September 22, 2017
I also recommend calm.com they have beautiful loops of scenic places with sound and, if you want short guided meditations.
posted by dadici at 12:48 PM on September 22, 2017
Response by poster: Ugh, please be careful with any use of scents. Your Deeply Soothing Rejuvenation Aroma may be someone else's What the F*** Is That Reek, and there's no way for people sitting nearby to get away from your smells.
Thanks all! I am actually the person in my office who is pretty sensitive to most scents, so no worries there :)
posted by capricorn at 2:18 PM on September 22, 2017
Thanks all! I am actually the person in my office who is pretty sensitive to most scents, so no worries there :)
posted by capricorn at 2:18 PM on September 22, 2017
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posted by Candleman at 7:02 PM on September 21, 2017