This is how you’ll survive the hottest days at the office – the best advice against the heat

London, 9 August 2017

Summer also brings high temperatures with it, not even at during the night do we feel any relief. We don’t really mind all that during the summer vacation, but it can get tiring really fast during office time.
When outside temperatures reach 30 or 35 degrees, it isn’t much cooler inside either. A/C units aren’t a standard yet and employers aren’t bound by law to send employees home during heatwaves. They only have to provide bearable working conditions. Seeing that companies don´t just close down their business during summer and send their employees on a vacation, here are a handful of suggestions that can make your life easier working during a summer heatwave. 1. Ventilate the office in the morning. Open all the widows in the morning, when you get to your office and let in the fresh, cool morning air before it gets hot. Then close all the windows, because later having them open won’t help at all, as only the hot air circulates. Close the windows and make use of blinds or curtains. This will keep the office protected from direct sunlight and hopefully keep the heat away as well. 2. Use a ventilator. A ventilator is no A/C unit, but it can still help cooling you down, as it supports the evaporation of sweat from your skin. But beware - point it at your forehead or neck and you’ll maximize your chances to get a cold or some sore back and neck muscles and headaches. It’s better to point the ventilator at your upper body. 3. Choose the right clothing. Wear light-colored and airy clothes made from natural fibers. They let your skin breathe and keep your body safe from overheating. 4. Drink lots of liquids. You know the rule: an adult should drink about two litres per day. During heatwaves, your body loses much more humidity than usual, so you should adjust your intake accordingly and drink up to twice as much. Don’t neglect to stay properly hydrated, as it can have all sorts of bad consequences, like headaches and drops in concentration. Stay away from caffeinated or alcoholic beverages and add water to fruit juices. 5. Cool yourself down. Place cooling pads on the nape of your neck or on your legs, as they will make the heat more tolerable. Same goes for the following trick: place your wrists under running, cold tapwater and keep them there for a few minutes. Another clever idea is filling up a spray bottle with green tea, cooling it and then using it to moisten your face and neck every now and then – try it, it’s incredibly refreshing!6. Begin work sooner. If you can’t beat the heat, get out of it’s way! Talk with your supervisor about switching up your working hours and begin to work sooner in the morning. This way, you’ll get the best of both: working and being productive during the cooler morning hours and enjoying summer somewhere in the shade, with a drink in your hand during the afternoon. 

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