6 ways to stay cool in your office this summer

Summer is bearing down upon us once again and with the famous unfamiliarity of British weather, a scorching heat wave could strike at any point.

In your own home, it’s relatively easy to stay chilled – sit in front of a fan in shorts and t-shirt, of course – but in an office, where people regularly argue over the thermostat, how can you keep your cool? Yes Glazing has the answers with these top tips…

1. Close the windows and curtains

It may sound counter intuitive to close the windows, especially when you’re trying to tempt in any summer’s breeze, but unless it’s significantly cooler outside all you’re doing is letting more hot air in. And if you’re in an air-conditioned office, then all that glorious cool air is escaping. Do yourself a favour and keep those windows shut.

You may be worried about things getting dark and gloomy, but closing curtains and blinds will stop the sun from beaming through the windows and creating a ‘greenhouse effect’.

2. Stay hydrated

It may sound obvious but you’d be surprised how many office workers forget to drink water all day. Just because you’re sat at a desk doesn’t mean you’re not dehydrating. Add the heat and that process doubles in speed. Make a point of taking sips of water every so often – set a reminder if you have to! – and make sure you refill your bottle regularly to ensure a constant and fresh supply.

3. Cut back on the coffee

Ever heard the rumour that drinking hot drinks will actually cool you down? Unfortunately it doesn’t work quite as well as people may think. It’s not because the heat of the drink automatically makes you hotter. But the beloved caffeine in tea and coffee that keeps so many people going throughout the working day can actually increase your heart rate, which subsequently increases your blood flow, which then causes your internal temperature to rise.

If you really can’t deal without your caffeine hit, why not try an iced coffee or frappuccino (they’re surprisingly easy to DIY!) or enjoy some refreshing iced tea?

4. Eat smart

You may be tempted to treat yourself at lunchtime, but having a large meal on a hot day is only going to make you feel sluggish and overheated. If you’ve eaten a lot of food, then your metabolism has to work overtime to digest it, therefore increasing your body’s temperature. Opt for small “cool” meals if you can such as salad.

Everyone loves an ice lolly or ice cream on a scorching day, but frozen fruit is not only healthier but it’s actually more hydrating. Pop some pineapple, watermelon or grapes in the freezer at the start of the day and by the time lunch rolls around you can help yourself to a sweet, cold and refreshing tasty treat.

5. Comfortable clothing

If your place of work doesn’t have a strict dress code, it’s best to choose clothes that are light in colour and lightweight. Go for natural fabrics like silk, cotton and linen that are cooler rather than artificial ones such as polyester, which are heavier. Light colours will also help reflect the heat as opposed to dark colours which will absorb it.

And although it may sound counter-intuitive, wearing more clothes in the heat can actually keep you cooler. Don’t go overboard here; we don’t mean jumpers and extra socks, but when you travel abroad to the world’s hottest regions you’ll notice that people will often cover themselves as much as possible. This helps to keep the skin shaded and protect against sun damage. Make sure the clothing is loose though to allow fresh air to circulate around you.

6. Work smarter

One common material used in all laptops, computers, phone and tables is metal which, of course, absorbs heat. All of these portable devices also have batteries that can overheat at the best of times, let alone when the temperatures start to soar. While we know that using these devices can’t be completely avoided, try to keep them in bags and out of your pockets when at all possible. If you work using a laptop, try a remote keyboard to avoid having an overheating device right under your fingertips.

If you are able to enjoy flexible working in your office, switch your working hours to earlier or later in the day. This will ensure that at least a good portion of your office day is with a slightly cooler temperature.

Image by Ahmet Furkan ONAT from Pixabay