Office Desk Hacks if you are Neuro-diverse or prone to Dissociation

If you have Autism or ADHD, staying calm, present, focussed and unfazed by stress at work can be a feat. Likewise if you are prone to dissociating throughout the day and struggle to feel present and at one with the external environment, these hacks can also help.

Here are a few hacks to help you stay in the zone. A lot of these involve use of sensory props.

#1 - Stand up desk

If ergonomics allows for it, or if you work from home, try investing in a stand-up desk. Ideally to allow you to switch between being sat down and being on your feet. If you can, aim to start standing before transitioning to sitting, as when you get up from sitting gravity pulls oxygen away from your brain. When going from sitting to standing, try to squeeze in a quick walk around beforehand to maintain blood flow.

#2 Fluff pen

Sensory input is great for calming down the nervous system. If you can pull it off, try using a fluff pen for your handwritten notes or simply as a desk accessory.

#3 Blu tac

If you need to be doing something with your hands in order to focus effectively, get a lump of Blu-tac. It’s basically the grown-up version of play do.

#4 Pictures

Visual stimuli can help keep you motivated and remind you of the potential reward or benefit of performing well at work. Consider having a picture of family, or your children, on your desk, or a picture taken from your last holiday. A holiday picture should keep you motivated potentially to save up for your next get-away.

#5 Mini cactus

Again touch is a powerful way of calming down the nervous system. If a spikey texture does it for you, it’s perfectly acceptable to keep a small plant on your desk.

#6 Headphones

Whichever way you roll, these could be noise-cancelling or to listen to music. Engaging your auditory senses can help you keep pace with work. Alternatively if office background noise distracts you, noise-cancelling headphones could be the way forward for you.

#7 Aromatherapy roll-on or oil

Engage your sense of smell to keep yourself calm and grounded throughout the day. There are plenty of roll-ons available to have on the go or miniature essences.

#8 Stash of chewing gum

Having something to chew on can help concentration. Engaging our taste buds can help us stay grounded and connected as well as more alert throughout the day.