19 Essential Items to Keep You Safe and Healthy as You Return to Work

The pandemic isn't over, but as states lift restrictions, many offices and other workplaces are bringing workers back, even as people in some areas balk at getting vaccinated. If your employer is telling you to come back, make sure they're taking ample precautions against COVID-19, and remember that your best defenses against germs include being vaccinated, maintaining physical distance, and continuing frequent hand-washing, according to the CDC. While no single thing can guarantee your safety, here are some items that can help foster safer habits and relieve stress while getting back to the grind. It's worth remembering, too, that there are plenty of other germs out there besides COVID-19.

Prices and availability are subject to change.

Related: Things We'll Never Want to See Again After the Pandemic 

$20 from Walmart
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Ever wish you had an extra pair of hands to avoid high-touch surfaces? That's what CleanKey aims to be. The brass tool can press buttons, open doors, or navigate grimy touch screens, and it's small enough to keep on your keychain or in your pocket. Just don't forget that it will need frequent disinfecting.  

Related: How to Disinfect Without Ruining Your Stuff or Your Health

$5 for 50 ct. from Amazon
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Experts agree that frequent hand-washing is still one of the best ways to combat COVID-19. Soap sheets are an ingenious way to always have your own soap without dragging around an impractical bottle or a slimy bar.

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$55 from Amazon
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A personal fan is a tempting way to keep air circulating in a stuffy cubicle or office, but experts warn that fans can spread virus droplets in a shared space. A compact air purifier is a safer bet, and the EPA says it can reduce airborne contaminants. Just note that no air purifier is a substitute for hand-washing and other best practices. 

Related: Essentials You Can Buy With an FSA Now to Keep the Money From Going to Waste

$15 from A-Line
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Proper fit is important to make a work mask comfortable enough to wear all day long. A-Line isn't the only company making face masks in a variety of sizes, but it's among the makers we've seen with the largest range of sizes. There are five to choose from, suitable for everyone from preschoolers to larger men. Check out some of our other picks for face masks and accessories here.

$12 from Amazon
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Stay hydrated without making repeat trips to the water cooler with this 24-ounce bottle. It's insulated enough to keep water cold, but it won't weigh down your work bag like a heavier stainless steel bottle.

$21 for 300 ct. from Walmart
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Experts remain skeptical of supplements that claim immune-boosting properties, but a multivitamin is a good idea, they say. Centrum is among the multis that contain an adequate daily dose of vitamin D, which can be harder to get from the sun if you're spending long hours in an office. 

Related: 11 Inexpensive Ways to Get More Vitamin D

$27 from Amazon
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Going out for lunch with your coworkers may be a thing of the past for now. This roomy soft-sided lunch box has freezable gel built right into the walls of the bag, so you don't even have to fuss with ice packs. Just collapse the whole bag, put it in your freezer overnight, and fill it in the morning.

$12 for 4 bottles from Walmart
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Hand sanitizer has made its way back onto shelves. While experts say sanitizer is no substitute for thoroughly washing your hands, it's still a must for on-the-fly disinfecting. Stash small bottles in your bag, car, cubicle, or wherever else you might need them. 

Related: Sneeze Guards and Plexiglass Shields to Stay Safe at Work

$50 from Amazon
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Sure, headphones don't possess any virus-fighting properties, but they are a good way to show potentially chatty coworkers that you take social distancing seriously. This relatively inexpensive pair can reduce ambient noise by up to 90%, so it might help you concentrate, too.

$20 from Amazon
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Now's as good a time as any to avoid unnecessary trips to the communal coffee pot if there even is one in your office. Load up on 30 ounces of your favorite brew at home with this insulated travel mug. Despite its heft, it fits in most cup holders, allowing you to fuel up on your commute. 

Related: These Walmart Tumblers Rival Yeti's at a Fraction of the Price

$10 for 10 from Amazon
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Even if you do find the world's comfiest mask, hours of wear can leave you with sore ears. These mask extenders attach to a mask's elastic loops, helping take the pressure off your ears and providing a closer, more comfortable fit.

$21 from Amazon
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Long hours at work offer a good chance to disinfect one of the germiest things you tote everywhere you go: your cellphone. Sanitizers that use ultraviolet light really do work, making them a solid, if pricey, alternative for those who don't want to risk damaging their phones with wipes or liquid cleaners.

$5 for 2 rolls from Walmart
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Shared restrooms might feel like a minefield right now. One way to reduce your risk: Bypass the ubiquitous air dryer and use paper towels after washing your hands, not only to dry off, but to turn off the water and open the bathroom door. Ideally, your employer will have them on hand, but keeping your own stash is a good idea just in case.

$4.50 from Walmart
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If you're washing your hands as much as you should be, dry, itchy skin might be one of the byproducts. A non-greasy, fragrance-free, fast-absorbing lotion like this one is particularly convenient to keep on hand at work.

$40 from Amazon
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If the thought of bringing germs home on your work bag gives you the heebie-jeebies, consider investing in one that can be tossed in the washing machine. This Baggallini is big enough for a laptop and other work essentials, and it has plenty of interior pockets to help you stay organized.

$13 for 12 from Amazon
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Avoid vending machines or unnecessary snack stops by bringing your own ready supply of munchies to work. Gluten-free Dark Chocolate Nuts and Sea Salt Kind bars have enough chocolate to satisfy your sweet tooth, and the almonds pack in enough protein to relieve any hunger pangs. 

Related: With These Healthy Recipes, You Won't Miss Packaged Snacks

$4.50 from Etsy
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Want a gentle way to remind your unvaccinated coworkers to keep their distance? This Etsy download, easy to print yourself and put up on an office door or cubicle wall, kindly makes the point for you.

$1 from Target
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If you're lucky enough to track down some disinfecting wipes, save them for a very important job: cleaning a potentially filthy keyboard, especially if it's used by anyone else. (No wipes? Use a small amount of 70% isopropyl alcohol on a soft cloth instead.)  

Related: Things You Should Never Clean With Disinfecting Wipes 

Starting at $11 for 3 from Amazon
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A little stress relief is in order when you're returning to work during a pandemic. Even better: Fidgeting with these stress balls can help keep you from touching your face, and they're easy to clean with soap and water. 

Related: Inexpensive Products to Ease Stress at Home