10 office items under $40 that will make you more productive

A personal dry erase board for daily to-dos.

If you want to jot down quick thoughts or to-do list items that pop into your head during the day, you can scribble them on this bamboo dry erase board. (It's also good for doodling when you need to.)

Buy it: $25.56

A mini zen garden that keeps you calm and mindful.

Neon Fox Art's mini zen garden can calm you down in stressful moments. The quiet practice of moving the sand with the small rake is said to help you let go of anxiety and stack on track.

Buy it: $30

An app that kills online distractions.

The Self Control app is not a physical item you can get for your desk, but it can nonetheless do wonders for productivity. Once you download it, the app allows you to block distracting sites (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr) for a specified time period.

Available for Apple computers: Free

A pot that holds happiness-inducing plants.

This small pot by MyGift is perfect for displaying low-maintenance plants like succulents. Researchers suggest that having plants and greenery around can lead to greater happiness and productivity at work.

Buy it: $14.99

A storage box that hides tangled wires.

If you find clutter distracting, and your desk has a bunch of wires that are too tough to tame, this cable box by Neat Treea quick fix. It eliminates the messy sight of underneath or on your desk, making your space feel cleaner and more orderly.

Buy it: $4.18

A device that keeps your coffee warm at your desk.

Coffee drinkers who depend on caffeine to get their work done in the morning might enjoy the desk-side Vantitaus warmer, which is keeps beverages hot for a few hours. No need to go microwave your luke-warm cup.

Buy it: $19.99

An app that adjusts your computer screen's brightness.

F.lux automatically alters your screen's brightness and color throughout the day, which helps reduce strain on your eyes. If you're up late working, you can also set reminders to get a good night's sleep — At a specified time every day, a notification will pop up that says, "You're waking up in eight hours."

Available for Apple and Windows computers: Free

A machine that creates white noise.

The micro LectraFan generates white noise, which has been shown to boost productivity in people who have trouble concentrating. You won't even notice it's there.

Buy it: $37.83

A lamp that purifies the air.

In a recent study, scientists found that good indoor air quality is linked to improved cognitive function. Therefore, the Ecvision mushroom-shaped lamp might be useful, since it is purported to remove airborne bacteria and dust that's floating around your office.

Buy it: $27.99