Heat in the office: what to do about it

Working in the office when it is hot puts a lot of strain on the body. With these tips you will learn how to make your everyday work more pleasant in high temperatures.

When the heat in the office becomes excessive, the need for air conditioning becomes great. However, air conditioners are not good for the environment because of their resource and energy consumption. In addition, many people do not tolerate air conditioning very well and complain of dry, sore eyes, headaches or neck problems from the cold draft.

With these seven tips you can reduce the heat in the office – or help prevent it from arising in the first place.

1. Escape the heat in the office early in the morning

Get to work as early as possible. Use flexitime or ask your employer if you can start working earlier. This has many advantages:

• On the way to work, the air is usually still cool and you come to the office refreshed.
• The cold morning air cools the office efficiently.
• You leave the office when the afternoon heat is particularly severe.

Tips for correct ventilation when it is hot in the office:

• In the morning, open all windows as wide as possible.
• Make sure there is a draft by also opening the opposite windows.
• To prevent windows and doors from slamming due to drafts, secure the wide-open windows and doors with a wedge, for example.
• Close all windows as soon as it gets warmer outside than in the office. You can check that well with a room thermometer.
• Keep the windows closed during the day to keep the heat out.
• Open the windows every hour or two for around five minutes to let fresh oxygen into the room.
• If possible: tilt the windows a crack before you go home. The night air cools the office in your absence.

2. Reduce the heat in the office by darkening

Not only does the temperature outside heat up the office, direct sunlight also has a major influence. So don’t let the sun into your office. As soon as you have closed the windows after airing, darken the office space with blinds, shutters or awnings.

• The heat in the office increases quickly from direct sunlight.
• A darkened room appears cooler than a bright, sun-drenched room.
• If you darken the windows, it also makes working on the computer easier: for example, the sunlight cannot be reflected on the screen or affect your overall view. You also reduce energy consumption because you don’t have to set the screen brightness to the highest level.

In the workplace ordinance of Germany and Austria it is anchored that direct sunlight on workers must be avoided.

3. Plants improve the indoor climate in the office when it is hot

Indoor plants in the office not only look beautiful, they also contribute significantly to well-being in the office when it is hot.

• Plants increase the oxygen content of the air through photosynthesis. At the same time, the proportion of carbon dioxide decreases. As a result, you will find the room climate pleasant even without regular ventilation.
• At the same time, the plant releases moisture into the air through the leaves. This creates evaporative cooling and the plant acts like a natural air conditioning system.

Some plants are particularly good against the heat in the office:

• Green lily (more on this: Maintain green lily)
• Efeutute (More on: Care for and multiply the females)
• Bow hemp
• Weeping fig
• Rubber tree

Just like humans, plants protect themselves from heat through evaporation. Green plants give up to 90 percent of the irrigation water back to the environment. Due to the resulting evaporation cold, they not only cool themselves but also the room.

If your employer does not allow potted plants with soil in the workplace, grow green lily and ivy in a vase. Change the water regularly so the roots don’t start to rot.

You can find out how to care for your office plants here: Office Plants: These plants are best

4. Drink plenty of water when the office is hot

If the office is very hot, make sure you are drinking enough fluids. On a hot day, you should drink two to three liters.

Imagine a large mug in the morning Water in your workplace. This means you will automatically access it again and again. The jug should be empty by lunch break. Refill it for the afternoon. This means that you will drink plenty of fluids until the end of the day.

The best drink in the office when it’s hot is Tap water. You can change the taste with a few additives. For example, try:

• Lemon wedges
• squeezed lemon juice
• Herbs like for example Lemon balm or peppermint
• Fruit such as Raspberries, blueberries or pieces of peach
• Cucumber slices

Don’t throw away the fruits and vegetables – they taste great as dessert or as a small snack.

When the office is hot, avoid:

• sugary sodas
• carbonated drinks
• coffee
• alcohol

5. Light foods that cool the body in the heat of the office

According to the teaching of the TCM nutrition There are numerous foods that are designed to cool the body down. Take advantage of this feature when it is hot in the office and put more of these foods on your diet:

• Watermelon
• sour fruit
• tomatoes
• Cucumbers
• Leaf lettuce
• yogurt

Tip: Combine the fruits or vegetables with the yogurt.

Wash and chop the fruits or vegetables at home so that work can be done quickly. Your snacks will keep you fresh for a long time in a glass or stainless steel can. You can find lunch boxes made of stainless steel in the outdoor department of sports shops or at **Avocado Store. There are also boxes in which you can keep the cut vegetables separated by the dividers.

6. The right clothes when it is hot in the office

Clothes have a decisive influence on how you feel about the heat in the office. Choose light, flowing clothing that surrounds your body rather than constricting it.

Dressed airily and loosely, you will find the heat less uncomfortable. This is caused by the air cushion between the body and the garment, which acts like an insulating layer.

When choosing your clothes, pay attention to the material. Shirts and blouses made from lighter linen– or Cotton woven fabric are cooler than cotton jersey or t-shirts viscose. Avoid clothing made of synthetic fibers: microplastic fibers are released from these in the washing machine – and you sweat more easily underneath.

7. Immediate help: When the heat in the office gets too much

These tips will help if the afternoon heat in the office becomes unbearable:

• Tie long hair with a hair tie or clip to get air to the back of your neck and forehead.
• Take a second top with you to work and change your clothes if you sweat a lot or want to wear something lighter.
• Freshen up with a washcloth before putting on the new item of clothing.
• Take a short break and wave a fan to yourself.
• Create artificial sweat by spraying water on your skin or directly on your face with a perfume atomizer or spray bottle.

Read more on Techzle.com:

• 7 common mistakes to avoid in the heat
• What to do in the heat The best tips for enduring the heat wave
• Cooling down without air conditioning – you can do that against heat in the apartment
• Heat rash: These home remedies will help relieve heat rash