5 little things you can do to improve your workday in a big way

Maybe you just sat down with a cup of coffee, eager to tackle your to-do list for the day. Seconds later, your coworker knocks over your coffee and spills it over your desk - and your white blouse.

Despite your best efforts, moments like these do happen, but they don't have to derail your entire day.

There are a lot of little things you can do - and products you can use - that will lift your mood, increase your productivity, and make your workday that much better.

Try these five tips to improve your day at work:

1. Caffeinate (at the right times for you).

We all know coffee can help us power through the day, but there are certain times of the day where it will be most effective. Some say that it's best to drink coffee between 9:30 and 11 a.m., while others need it most after lunch. Everyone is different, so experiment to see which times are best for you; just don't overdo it. (It helps to have a coffee maker in your office so you don't have to spend time waiting in line at the local coffee shop.)

2. Take a real lunch break.

Do you usually spend your lunch breaks huddled over your desk? If so, it's time to change that habit. While you might think you're getting more done, taking a lunch break - that is, actually stepping outside of the office and focusing on your meal - can make you more productive in the long run. You'll come back recharged and ready to tackle the rest of your day. Even if you bring your own lunch, consider eating it outdoors or in your company's breakroom.

3. Listen to music when you need to crank out an assignment.

When you're feeling distracted, putting on headphones can help you tackle a difficult project. If you work in a noisy office and find your attention straying, sometimes it's helpful to spend an hour or two listening to music - be it soaring instrumentals or the latest pop singles - to crank out your work. While you shouldn't have your headphones on all day, listening to music can help you with certain tasks that require total concentration.

4. Keep your desk clean.

A cluttered, dirty desk can make it harder for you to get work done - and it might gross out your coworkers. Keep your work area clean (hey, even the best of us spill our food) by wiping it down with disinfecting wipes, and always keep a box of facial tissues around so you don't sneeze all over your computer. At the end of each week, toss or store anything you don't need. That way, when you come into work the following Monday, you can focus on your work instead of a mounting stack of papers.

5. Take a deep breath.

It's easy to get flustered over a missed deadline or an e-mail you shouldn't have sent, but it's usually not as big of a deal as you make it out to be. Before you freak out, try to calm your mind and map out your next steps. Some find it helpful to meditate for a few minutes, take a walk around the block, or jot down their thoughts. Almost every job with comes with a certain level of stress, so you should find healthy ways to counter it.

You'll need the right products to help you with these activities. Staples offers People Products, a great line of breakroom and cleanup supplies for the office. Find them at Staples stores, staples.com, or staplesadvantage.com.

Learn more about which products can boost your workday.

This post is sponsored by Staples.

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