We're having a heatwave!
As temperatures hit 40C for the first time in the UK and with a red warning in place, people are wondering how to stay productive in a heatwave! It might just be a couple of days this time but it's likely to become a more regular occurrence.
As well as all the usual, more obvious guidelines on keeping cool in general, here are a few ideas to help you keep reasonably productive when things heat up.
Change when you work
If you're able to work flexibly, do work that requires concentration and effort when it's cooler.
- Get up earlier in the morning and work later in the afternoon or evening.
- Reschedule any important tasks or activity for a few days time when it's cooler.
- Avoid commuting in the heat of the day or work from home. Many people have arranged to do this already.
- Have virtual meetings over Zoom or Teams to avoid travelling in the heat or getting caught up in heat-related transport issues.
Change where you work
Move to a cooler area of the office or house, if you're working from home. Downstairs is often cooler than upstairs. My office is far too hot in the afternoons, even when we're not having a heatwave. I’m working from the sofa for most of the day.
Our houses aren't built to deal with heat, so many don't have air conditioning. Go go a local cafe, cafe or restaurant for part of the day, when it's hottest. You'll appreciate the cool and they'll appreciate a little extra business.
Take frequent breaks. If you're sitting in one place that's too warm, like an office without air-conditioning, you'll lose focus and become tired and dehydrated, more quickly. Get up and move somewhere cooler for a few minutes before getting back to work. Use a wet flannel or towel on your face and neck to cool yourself
down.
Keep it light
Eat light. You might not feel like eating when it's hot but light meals, like salads, which have a high water content, and light protein - chicken and fish, are better for you and won't give you that post meal slump. Not all of us are able to take a siesta during the day.
Wear light or minimal clothing. Light in colour as well as material. You can be as minimal as you like when working at home! Loose, natural fabrics are cooler than close fitting, man made.
Hydrate! Hydrate! Hydrate!
Stay hydrated. It's always important to keep hydrated to improve your concentration and productivity. When you're sweating and in this heat, even more so, to avoid feeling tired or getting headaches (signs you're already dehydrated).
- Fill up bottles of water and pop them in the fridge so you have a cool drink on hand.
- Keep a glass of water or a chilled bottle on your desk, take frequent drinks and keep topping it up.
- Avoid hot drinks like coffee and alcohol which make you more dehydrated. Although there's nothing like a cup of tea on a hot day!
Keeping cool in a heatwave
Keep the curtains closed during the day to stop the sun heating up the inside. Open the windows, if there’s a slight breeze, otherwise keep them closed during the day so hot air doesn't move inside. Open them up in the evening to let cooler air in, especially to cool down the bedroom before bed.
- Wet a flannel or towel with cold water and apply to your face and neck at regular intervals to keep you cool.
- Fill a hot water bottle with cold water or pop an ice-pack in the freeze and use that to cool you down.
- Put your feet in a bowl of cold water.
Keeping cool and hydrated will stop you overheating and suffering from heat exhaustion or worse, heat stroke.
Avoid the heat of the midday sun! Obvious but many people don't. Mad dogs and Englishmen ... and all that. Heat continues to build throughout the day, so it gets hotter in the early afternoon and doesn't cool down until late afternoon.
Down on the coast with a sea breeze it can be a little cooler. Inland and especially in towns and cities temperatures can often be higher as heat is trapped and radiates from buildings.
Don't beat yourself up if the heatwave is sapping your energy. Better to take it easy, do a little less, focus on one or two important things than overdoing it. You can always get back to things when it's a little cooler later in the week.
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