With the temperature warming up now, keeping cool in the office is crucial to ensure employees are comfortable and still productive throughout the working day. When the temperatures rise, our bodies exert more energy to maintain a functional body temperature, thus feeling more tired and uncomfortable. Not only that, but it can lead to an increased risk of dehydration. Finding different ways to keep yourself cool in the office is important for remaining focused on your work.

Here are some tips on how you protect yourself when working in the summer heat:

Stay Hydrated
Drink plenty of fresh water or refreshing juice, and add ice cubes.

Keep Blinds Drawn
If you keep the blinds drawn and windows shut during peak temperatures in the day, it won’t let the heat in. Open up again when it’s cooler.

Use a Fan
Pop a portable fan in your bag or place a desk fan on your desk.

Light, Airy Clothing
Try to dress in light, breathable clothing. If your dress code is more formal, wear lighter colours or fabric like cotton or linen.

Close Unoccupied Rooms
The larger the office area, the further cool air has to travel, so shutting off any rooms that aren’t being used will keep the cooler air around the spaces where people are working.

Avoid a Big, Heavy Lunch
Try to eat things like salads instead.

Switch Off Heat-Generating Appliances
Turn off lights, desk lamps, laptops, screens, and printers that aren’t in use, because they generate more heat.

Cool your Pressure Points
Cool down your wrists by placing them under cold running water or use an ice pack.

Adjust working hours If your company is flexible and start earlier when it’s cooler.

In the UK, there is no law for a minimum or maximum working temperature, but guidance suggests a minimum of 16 degrees Celsius. There is no guidance for a maximum temperature, but in other countries like Germany, regulations stipulate that the temperature inside the workplace should not exceed 26 degrees in order to protect workers’ health.

Make sure you know your limits and don’t push yourself in the heat, as this can affect your health and your productivity at work.