How to Use Travel Accessories at Home
While most of us don’t fly, travel, or stay in hotels just yet, we can still use all the travel accessories we’ve collected to make our travel easier. Two weeks ago, our friends at The Points Guy recommended certain travel accessories for buying and using at home, but there is no need to buy certain items if you can use the products you already have. If you have any of the following rolling around in an empty suitcase, take it out of storage and use it now.
Increase blood flow with compression socks
Compression socks apply light pressure to the legs and ankles to promote blood flow. They are great for when you sit on the plane for hours; when you work from home (and especially when you have to restrict travel outside), they are just as useful when you sit at your desk for a long time.
Redirect your Wi-Fi outside
If you work from home, you probably get tired of looking at the same four walls throughout the day – but what if your Wi-Fi doesn’t extend to an open area, perhaps you’re lucky to have one?
One solution that’s second nature for busy travelers is to use a mobile phone as a wireless hotspot. By connecting your phone to your laptop, you will always be in touch wherever you go. Another option is to use a travel router, a portable device that lets you plug in to an existing signal to extend the range of your wireless network.
Pack your workstation with packing cubes
Working from home can be both hectic and stressful. By the end of the day, your home office (or kitchen counter, dining table, or bed) may end up looking like a tsunami. One solution: pack the cubes. Traditionally used to organize your luggage, packing cubes can be used at home when you need the same level of organization for many of your work items.
- Create a packaging cube specifically for your electronics and power cords. This will protect your cords from tangling and protect your electronics.
- Organize important documents into a separate cube.
- Use smaller cubes for pens / pencils, paper clips, and other stationery and accessories you use during your work day.
- Stack the cubes on one corner of the table to keep the space clean and free of clutter.
Everything will be ready for use the next day and you can transport them easily if your workspace is a constantly moving target.
Lather up those strands (hair)
If you are like me and love collecting hotel shampoo / conditioner and lotions (you know, with a pleasant scent), now is the time to apply them. The chances of getting on a plane or heading to the spa are pretty low, but you can certainly indulge in your own toiletries.
Since all of our hairstyles quickly escalate into inhibitions, using your folding shampoos and conditioners can give you the moment of exhalation you need at the end of the day or week. And when you’re done, grab the spoonful of the hand lotion you saved because it’s small enough for TSA to rejuvenate your washed hands.