British Summertime is finally here! Although it usually only lasts a couple of days and the rest is a wash out, the temperatures in our work places can soar. Here are our top ten tips on how to stay cool in the office:
Close your blinds
Keeping the hot air out is the best way to stay cool at work, especially if you are lucky enough to have air conditioning in your office. Most work places will have computers, servers and other devices emitting heat so the windows may well need to be opened, but keeping the blinds closed will stop the sun coming in and creating a ‘greenhouse effect’.
Eat cold meals
This seems a no brainer, but eating a hot meal at your desk will not help you stay cool at work. If you are lucky enough to have a fridge in the office bring watery fruits in to eat throughout the day. If you are that one step luckier, and have a freezer then ice lollies are even better. Higher calorie meals increase your core temperature so keep it light.
Turn off the lights
Although modern LED lights are more efficient, some older light bulbs can produce as much heat as light, heating the room considerably. If the natural light in your office is good enough to work by, then make the most of it and turn off the extra heat generators. Consider turning off anything that is not needed, as even in standby mode most electronics emit heat.
Have a dress down day
If your type of work allows it, dress comfortably to stay cool at work. Most of your clients/customers will be wearing shorts and t-shirts and it’s highly unlikely than any of them will mind that you are too on the odd hot occasion.
Stay hydrated
Simple ice water is great. Anything with caffeine in it will help to make you feel more dehydrated so avoid the traditional teas and coffees.
Use fans strategically
Fans simply blow around the air that they are in, so if the room is full of hot air then they won’t help the situation. Put a fan by an open window to push out the warm air and pull in cooler air from outside. Fans should also be blowing down on you, not up on you as hot air rises.
Avoid strenuous exercise
Again, a no brainer if your line of work allows it. Now is probably not the best time to reorganise the cellar or change the furniture layout. Do as little physical activity as possible to keep the exertion levels low.
Cool your wrists
Run your wrists under a cold tap for five seconds every couple of hours, this will cool the main vein that runs through there. Even better if you can attach an ice pack to them whilst still working.
Use After-sun products
Even if you haven’t actually been out directly in the sun, after-sun products or aloe vera gels will help bring down your body temperature.
Stop moaning about how hot it is!
It wastes energy and it’ll be cold soon enough and probably for six months or more, so enjoy having fewer layers on whilst it lasts!
Now enjoy the sunshine after work!