Most British buildings are designed to trap the heat in, and they seem to be doing a fantastic job of it during this heatwave. Trying to work from home or in the office can be a nightmare when temperatures start to rise, especially when you have no access to aircon.
We’ve put together a list of the top five things you should be doing during this summer to cool yourself down at work.
Keep Your Blinds and Windows Closed
Although the blue skies do make for a nice change, keeping sheltered from the sun really does make a difference in the office. Keeping your windows closed may sound counterproductive, but if the temperature is hotter outside than it is inside, all you’re doing is letting hot air in.
If you’re working from home, it may benefit you to open your windows in the evening to let in cold air. This way it should be cooler for the following morning.
Use a Fan
Although they are nowhere near as effective as aircon, fans really do make a difference. If the temperature does manage to dip outside, you should place your fan near a cracked window in effort to suck cooler air into the office.
Another popular method is to use two fans to circulate air within a room. Place both apart from each other on the windowsill, one facing outwards and the other facing in. This will increase air circulation in the room, creating a breeze to help cool you down.
Cool Your Pulse Points
Pulse points are areas on your body where your blood is closest to your skin. Cooling your pulse points essentially cools your blood and lowers your overall body temperature. Pressing a cold water bottle or running cold water over these points is a quick and effective way to cool down if you’re getting too hot at work.
The most common pulse points are:
- Wrists
- Back of the Neck
- Temples
- Behind the Elbows & Knees
Makeshift Aircon
Aircon units are extremely expensive to purchase, but there is a way to create a cheap, yet effective version using just a fan and a bowl of ice. This may be slightly easier to do working from home, but if you place ice in a container about six inches in front of your fan, it will blow chilled air directly at you. If you don’t have access to ice, a frozen water bottle or two will work just as well!
Watch What You Eat
There is a reason that light foods such salads and fruits are associated with summer. Eating large filling meals increases your metabolic rate, which in turn causes a slight rise in body temperature. Eating light meals such as smoothies and salads will help keep you cool during your lunch break.
We’ve tried a multitude of tactics to keep us cool this summer. Let us know in the comments your top tips to stay cool during the heatwave.