The mercury is rising and the air conditioning in your building hasn’t kicked in yet. You’re a puddle of sweat and it’s only 9:30am. Sound familiar? An Australian summer spent in the office can be a challenge, so we’ve put together some tips for how to stay cool in the office.
The cons of air con
Not every workplace is blessed with a perfectly functioning air conditioning system. For some the harsh reality is waiting hours for the office to cool down; an agonising wait during the height of Summer. Workplaces like warehouses or workshops don’t have air conditioning at all.
Everyone experiences the heat differently, and the temperature setting may be far too cold for one person and too hot for another. As you wipe the sweat from your forehead, consider that there are other options for cooling down that don’t involve energy-guzzling air conditioning systems.
Easy breezy cooling
Firstly, keep those blinds down. Yes, it means you’ll be dependent on the fluorescent lighting but it will prevent direct sunlight from heating up the room. Next, try circulating the air with a good old-fashioned fan. Fans use a fraction of the energy consumed by air conditioning, and can make you feel much more comfortable by creating a wind chill effect. The added benefit is that they don’t have to affect your coworkers. So, if you’re someone who really feels the heat, you can set yourself up in your own personal “cool zone” without bothering your desk neighbours.
Desk fans are perfect for smaller areas, and you can even get USB powered devices. Electric fans don’t have to be plugged into the ceiling, although this is an efficient way of dealing with larger spaces.
Drink up
With our hot weather comes the very real risk of overheating and dehydration. Keeping your fluids and electrolytes up is critical and can be the difference between coping or ending up on a hospital IV line.
Drinking plenty of iced water is the key to surviving the heat, but for a tastier option, try putting your favourite tea into a jug and popping it in the fridge for a refreshing treat. Add a little lemon and sweetener and hey presto, iced tea is ready to go. Try peppermint tea for a natural cooling effect, or a fruity blend for a sweeter option.
For those of you on the go, insulated water bottles are a great way to keep your drinks cool, and infusion bottles mean you can take your iced tea or lemon slices with you. They’re available with your own branded design, so you can promote your business while gulping down your daily 2Litres.
Suck it up
Blended fresh fruit set in popsicle moulds make fantastic healthy ice-blocks. Alternatively, ready-to-eat, frozen ice-blocks are readily available in a whole range of tasty flavours.
A sweet treat has the ability turn a miserably hot day into a pleasant one in no time! – just don’t let it melt!
Go undercover
Personal health doesn’t end with good hydration. Protecting your skin from the sun is crucial, and hats, glasses, protective clothing and sunscreen are must-haves for those who work outside (and for us office-dwellers on lunch-breaks!).
There’s no such thing as outdoor air conditioning, so stay in the shade where possible and take any necessary steps to cover up. Skin cancer is a very real risk in Australia, so personal protection is something we need to take seriously.
Beat the heat
While air conditioning is a saviour on super-hot days, it’s not your only option for cooling down. With a breezy fan, a frozen ice-block and a nice big bottle of iced water or tea, you can get through the heat of Summer without raising too much of a sweat.
