You see that black plastic desk set gathering dust and spilled coffee splatters on the corner of your desk? Junk it! In 2006 you’ll have a desk set that’s sure to make a happier, healthier you. At first, your co-workers might think of you as an overly indulgent and out-of-line sloth, but don’t worry, eventually they’ll follow suit.

No one can resist The New Desk Set.

1. Substitute chocolates for paper clips: It doesn’t just taste better than a paper clip. Chocolate contains two important ingredients – tryptophan and phenylethylamine. Tryptophan is a chemical that the brain uses to make a neurotransmitter called serotonin, and high levels of serotonin produce feelings of elation and even ecstasy. Chocolate’s other magical chemical called phenylethylamine helps promote feelings of excitement and giddiness. And we could all afford a little more ecstasy and giddiness at work. But you’ll need to down large quantities of chocolate to feel the chemicals’ effects, so ask your office manager to stock up!

2. Substitute Origins brand Peace of Mind® On-the-Spot Relief for Wite-Out: Although Wite-Out does smell really good, unlike the Origins On-the-Spot Relief potion, you can’t rub it on your temples and instantaneously feel your stressors slip away. And for only $10 at www.origins.com, its tingling sensation and therapeutic aroma are worth every penny. Stress relief in a bottle – now that’s an idea.

3. Substitute Funny Notecards for Plain Post-it® Notes: Instead of making lists of all the things you have to do on little pieces of paper that just end up stuck to the bottom of your shoe, reach for a real pick-me-up. Write short quotes or witticisms on a small stack of index cards. My favorites for motivation are Jack Handy’s Deep Thoughts, such as, “Many people don't realize that playing dead can help not only with bears but also at important business meetings.”

4. Substitute a glass of wine for coffee in your travel mug: Tell Nosey Rosey in the next cubicle over to stop sniffing around your desk. It’s just grape juice (wink wink). According to a May 2005 article by the reputable Dr. Thomas Stuttaford, the benefits of modest drinking to a woman's heart and arteries are stunning. In fact, the reduction in the coronary rate may be as much as sixty or eighty percent. So, in the end, you’re not only putting that stainless mug to use, you’re also taking great strides in becoming a healthier person this year.

Substitute CDs with important documents for CDs with music by your favorite rock band. Swap out pens for Pixie Stix and business cards for tarot cards. Co-workers will be much more interested in socializing with you. The possibilities are endless for your New Desk Set. Here’s to a happy, healthy, and stress-free year!

Rosemary Riley is WorldWIT’s Programs Coordinator and hardest worker.