The Work Bag Essentials You Need For Your 9-5 Job

Tumble out of bed and stumble to the kitchen, pour yourself a cup of ambition, and then…pack up your work bag! If you have a 9-5 job (and know you have a little Dolly stuck in your head), you know how important it is to have the work essentials on you at all times. The last thing you want is to be stuck at your desk all day without some creature comforts.

While you might have some personal items near and dear to you that you can’t imagine going anywhere without, there are also a few basics your work tote should contain every day. So, let’s cover a few work bag essentials for your 9-5 job, so you’ll never feel like you’re missing out on the necessities.

Lip Balm

Lip balm will hardly take up any space in your bag, and it should always be considered a necessity! It moisturizes your lips and can protect against harmful UV rays. Plus, a tinted balm can give you a subtle pop of color that’s perfect for the office.

Water Bottle

Never underestimate the importance of staying hydrated! Choose something durable that will stay closed when it gets jostled around like the Stanley cup, and with the right work bag, you’ll probably even have a designated space to store your water bottle so there’s no spillage.

Toothbrush

If you’re working a 9-5 job, chances are you’re also interacting with people throughout the day. The last thing you want is for your lunch to linger on your breath or in your teeth during your afternoon meeting. Keeping a toothbrush (and paste and floss!) in your bag will allow you to clean your teeth quickly after lunch and be minty fresh for the rest of the day.

Lunch Container

Speaking of lunch, you’ll need something to keep it fresh until your break. Bringing your lunch to work will save you time, money, and you’ll be in full control over the quality of your food and the ingredients, so you’re likely to eat healthier than you would if you went out every day.

A lunch cooler is a great way to store your midday meal and keep it as fresh as possible until you’re ready to eat.

Hand Sanitizer

Germs are still everywhere—especially in a public setting. One of the best ways to keep yourself protected throughout the day when you can’t always wash your hands is to carry hand sanitizer in your work tote. You can use it yourself and offer it to others who come into the office.

Lotion

Hand lotion might not seem like a necessity, but there are more benefits to it than you might think. It provides a protective barrier to your skin that can keep your hands from drying and cracking. It also improves elasticity and can reduce the effects of aging. So, pamper yourself a bit by using lotion a few times throughout the workday.

Tissues

You might have a box of tissues at your desk, but either way, carrying a small pack in your work bag will ensure that you never have to deal with a runny nose or that awkward feeling of not knowing what to do after you’ve sneezed on your morning commute.

Blotting Papers

Whether you wear makeup or just stick to skin care, oil is going to appear on your skin throughout the day. If you want to take care of it, keeping a pack of blotting papers in your bag is a great idea. They absorb excess oil without disturbing makeup and won’t rub away your skin care either.

Tide To-Go Pen

Sometimes, accidents happen. You get the spaghetti leftovers you had for lunch on your white button-down, or you spill coffee first thing in the morning. That’s why you need a Tide To-Go Pen in your work bag. This little miracle worker can save your work outfit from disaster.

Snacks

Okay, keeping snacks in your work bag might sound a little soccer mom-ish, but when you’re ravenous in the middle of the afternoon and don’t want to hit up the vending machine, you’ll be glad they’re in there! Try to pack something with protein to keep you satiated until it’s time to head home.

Headphones

Having headphones or earbuds in your work tote can help you to eliminate distractions in the office and focus solely on your work. Some people are more productive when they listen to calming music, and headphones allow you to do so without bothering anyone else.

Mini First Aid Kit

Paper cut? Unfortunately stapler incident? A mini first aid kit is just what you (or maybe your coworker) need. While your office might have its own stash of first aid, there’s really no way to know just how long that office first aid kit has been sitting in a closet somewhere. Keep your own available with this adorable kit from Welly. Because who said first aid had to be so boring?

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There are so many other things that belong in your work bag, but keep these in mind as a few essentials to get started. The more prepared you are with your “bag of tricks,” the easier it will be to get through the daily grind.