10 Cheap (or Free!) Things to Keep in Your Car or on Your Desk for a Quick Brain Break
Let’s be real—most of us in Elko New Market don’t work just at a desk. We work from our cars, at kitchen tables, in job sites, and sometimes in the parking lot between meetings. And while hustling is part of the small-business life, even the busiest business owners need a five-minute brain break.
Good news: you don’t need fancy gadgets or expensive toys. With a few cheap (or free!) items, you can give your brain the reset it deserves—and maybe even spark a little creativity.
Here’s a list to keep handy, whether your office is a desk, a driver’s seat, or both.
1. Stress Ball or Fidget Toy
The classic. Squeeze, roll, twist—repeat. Bonus points if you’ve got one from a Chamber event lying around.
2. Rubber Band or Paperclip Chain
Cheap, plentiful, and surprisingly satisfying. Twist, snap, or build a chain. Who knew office supplies were also stress relief?
3. Deck of Cards
Shuffle for the sensory break, or play a lightning-fast round of solitaire at your desk. Shuffling alone is weirdly calming.
4. Notepad, Colored Pens… or an Adult Coloring Book
Doodling is a perfectly respectable business strategy (well, at least for clearing your head). Add an adult coloring book for those days you need to zone out for five minutes. Local vendor fairs often have handmade notepads and sketchbooks if you want to shop small.
5. Local Snacks
Granola or jerky or cookies from your neighbor who “accidentally” baked too many. Here’s the key though: don’t eat it while you’re working. Step away from the computer, look out a window, or sit in your car for a minute. Your brain will thank you for the pause.
6. Hand Putty or Slime
Mess-free versions exist, promise. It’s squishy therapy for grown-ups, and local craft vendors often sell them.
7. Mini Puzzle or Brain Teaser
Rubik’s cube, metal twist puzzles, or even a crossword app. Five minutes is enough to challenge your brain without derailing your day.
8. Nature in a Jar
Collect pebbles, pinecones, or shells on a walk at Wagner Park. Keep them in a jar. Sounds silly, but holding something natural can be grounding when your day feels chaotic.
9. Reusable Coffee Cup or Water Bottle
Sure, hydration is the goal. But spinning the lid, fiddling with a straw, or tapping the cup is its own kind of fidget. Bonus: buy it from a local coffee shop or Chamber member and double down on supporting small business.
10. Playlist or Podcast Queue
Line up a 5-minute “reset playlist” or a favorite podcast. Listen while parked or while stretching at your desk. Local bonus: check out Minnesota business podcasts to mix inspiration with your break.
Productivity isn’t about grinding until you’re exhausted. It’s about giving your brain enough breaks to stay sharp and creative. So pick one (or three) of these little reset tools and keep them in your car or on your desk.
Because in Elko New Market, we don’t just work hard—we also work smart. Got your back, front, and inbox—always. 😉
