“Working from home over the past year has been a challenge for many of us. Not only do you miss out on seeing your favourite coworkers; certain tasks can also prove distracting when there isn’t an office or your typical routine to keep you in check.
Now that summer’s here and the hot weather is too, it’s only going to get more difficult to stay productive. The heat is uncomfortable, and when we’re hot our bodies (and minds) can feel sluggish. To get you prepared for a summer of remote working, we’ve put together our top tips on how to beat the summer heat when working from home.
Keep hydrated
It’s always important to stay hydrated, but even more so when temperatures begin to surge. When the weather is warm, drink plenty of fluids. You sweat much more when it’s hot, and so drinking plenty of water will help to replenish the fluids lost through sweat.
If you live for your coffee kick, we unfortunately have bad news for you. Healthline suggests avoiding coffee as much as possible on warm days. Therefore if you rely on coffee throughout the day you should consider finding other ways to get some energy. This can involve a high protein lunch, or going outside.
Schedule breaks
When working it’s important to remember that taking breaks is essential for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Regardless of the weather, you should be taking regular breaks from working.
However, it can be easy to take too many breaks. Taking too many breaks throughout the day is dangerous, as it presents the risk of becoming detached from our tasks. Start your day by planning breaks, and allocating 10 minutes to each. Once the 10 minutes is up, you should return to your desk and continue with work.
When the weather is hot it can be easy to become distracted. It’s important to remember that you can enjoy the warm weather before or after work.
Keeping the house cool
Houses in the UK aren’t exactly designed for heatwaves, and so our homes can often become hot and stuffy before the working day has even started. Here are a few quick tips to keep your home cool during the summer whilst working from home:
Close the blinds – Keeping your blinds or curtains closed during the day is essential for maintaining a cool home. Consider investing in some block-out covers if you find the sun harsh.
Use a fan hack – Sometimes the white desktop fan just doesn’t provide the cool air that you desperately crave on a hot summer’s day. Try putting a large bowl of ice in front of the fan and point it in the direction you are sitting in. This way, nothing but the cool fresh air will come your way.
Wear loose cotton fabrics – Cotton fabrics are particularly breathable and can help keep your body cool in the warmer months.
Make the most of out-of-work hours
It can be a challenge staying inside when the weather is so lovely. If your working hours allow it, organise plans with friends and family after work, when the weather is cooler. Having something to look forward to at the end of a long day will also motivate you to complete your tasks and get work done.
Take a look at our Tips to Work from Home Effectively.
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By: Richard Edwards
Published: 11th June 2021
