Keeping Your Cool When Working From Home

The warm weather seems to have been with us for a while now which indicates that Summer is well and truly on the way. Although the weather here in the UK is often temperamental and rather unpredictable, at least we are guaranteed some hot weather. If the last few years are anything to go by, there may be some extremely hot days in store over the next few months.

If you are working from home throughout the Summer, you may find it difficult to concentrate on being as productive as you would like and fully engaged with your tasks due to the heat so here are a few tips to help you keep cool while working. They are applicable for whichever room you use to work from. They may seem like common sense but combined will definitely help make you feel more comfortable.

Keeping curtains and blinds closed will keep the direct sunlight away from you and help keep the room cooler as opposed to if the sunlight was glaring directly into the room. It is a good idea to open windows behind the curtains and blinds which will ensure fresh air and hopefully a gentle wind.

Use a fan to maintain a constant and refreshing breeze. A good tip is to place a bowl of ice in front of the fan so the air blown will feel much cooler and will help in reducing the temperature of the room or at least the space in which you are working.

Stay hydrated throughout the day by having regular drinks of water. If you feel thirsty, that is your body's way of telling you that you are already dehydrated so regular sipping of water will stop you from becoming unwell. The NHS advises that you should be aiming for between 6 to 8 glasses of fluid per day. Hot and cold drinks are both fine depending on your preference although many people are of divided opinion on what you should be drinking - in fact I personally find nothing more refreshing than a lovely strong cup of tea on a warm day!

Dressing appropriately for the weather and your work does not mean you have to compromise on feeling and looking good. If you are going to be in meetings or virtual calls, short sleeved shirts and tops in breathable fabrics such as linen, hemp or cotton will make it easier for sweat to evaporate rather than absorb sweat and will keep you looking and feeling professional throughout the day - and of course, you have the luxurious option of going barefoot all day long!