As of August 2023, 1 in 5 workers were working remotely. People love telework for a lot of different reasons! I’ve been working remotely full-time for over three years, and I’ve tried MANY gadgets and gizmos to help keep me calm, productive, and manage my work-life balance. From under-the-desk treadmills to fidget spinners, folks have tried it all to keep themselves engaged during the remote workday.

Here are some of the favorite items from our remote working staff:

To keep you calm and cozy…

• Patricia uses this stone aromatherapy diffuser and loves that it’s low-tech and doesn’t have a cable.
• Multiple staff mentioned loving their Serenity Kits! My favorite item is the essential oil roller that I use throughout the day when I need a little calm in my life.
• Monique loves her coffee mug warmer, for those times when she takes a while to take her first sip!
• Some of my coworkers have shared that they love using Headspace and Calm to keep themselves centered throughout the day!

To keep you productive…

• There is nothing like a good old-fashioned whiteboard! Emily and I both use a whiteboard to stay organized, take notes, and keep reminders top of mind!
• Emily loves working with blue light glasses.
• Mila has been using this gamer mouse while she works.
• Gina and I both work using two large monitors of the same size, not including a laptop! I appreciate this setup because it allows me to have my email up on my laptop while my work is on the larger screens.
• Jerrica’s must-have item are her erasable color pens…wish I had known about this one sooner!
• Deb and I both love our standing desks! It’s great to have the option to stand throughout the day.

To keep you lively…

• Kaitlyn works from home amid her Van Life Adventure. Her must-have remote work item? Her beloved mobile home, Ruby! While the van life might not be for me, I do try to embrace the sentiment by sitting on my porch to work when I can. 😀
• A few staff chimed in mentioning they could not work remotely without their portable monitors! Shanise also loves her foldable keyboard. This helps with feeling mobile, encouraging a change of scenery, and allowing staff to work outside of their “typical” workspace.
• Water bottles! From Stanleys to Owalas to Yetis, the best water bottle battle still stands among our staff.
• Of course, many of us could not work without our furry coworkers at home with us who help us get up and out of our chairs, go outside, or get them treats. 😊 I know my rabbit and dog both LOVE that I work remotely—and bully me for attention throughout the day!

For many of us, remote work isn’t going anywhere. It’s allowed us to see family, travel, pick up kids from school, and expand our horizons of how we see work.

Are you ready to be in person with folks in the field? Join us at HealthyTeen24 in Phoenix in November!