Working from home is fantastic. It’s a great way to achieve a better work-life balance, it can mean that you save money on commuting, and many people find that they are both more productive and less stressed out when they work from home.
Working from home in the summer can seem like a dream come true, especially if you are self-employed, or able to set your own hours. You might imagine long days working in the garden and taking time off to enjoy the sunshine. But in reality, unless you’ve got great aircon, working from home when it’s hot can be very uncomfortable and you might miss the office aircon. Here are some tips to help you cope.
Invest in Fans
Fans and a Gaming Laptop Cooling Pad can be essential if you need to work in an unventilated space when it’s very hot. A small desk fan might be enough if your workspace is small, but a large tower fan can be ideal in larger areas.
Keep the Blinds Drawn
If the sun is shining directly through your windows all day, your house is bound to get very hot. Closing the blinds or curtains can block it out. Just make sure you move with the sun, closing blinds in whichever rooms the sun is shining on throughout the day.
Get Outside Early
If you do like to work outside in the garden, make sure you get out early in the day, or before the sun comes over. A parasol can give you some shade later, but it might still be too hot to work comfortably. Even if you don’t like to work outdoors, getting out early for a walk or jog can help you to get some exercise in before it’s too warm, which is really important if you work from home.
Work in the Evenings
If you can, try to work in the evenings when the sun has gone down a little. This can make work more comfortable, but it can also mean that you get some time to enjoy the sunshine during the day. If you don’t like to work later, try getting up earlier so that you’ve got more time to work before it gets hot.
Move Around Your House
If the sun is on your office or usual workspace during working hours, try moving around to avoid it. Plan your days around when you need to be in the office and do what you can from other areas when the sun isn’t warming them.
Work Somewhere Else
Do you need to work from home at all? If you don’t have aircon, could you work from somewhere that does, like a co-working space or even a coffee shop?
Keep Your Icetrays Topped Up
Ice is your friend when it’s very hot. Make sure you refill your ice trays before bed each night and then use ice to cool your drinks. You can also apply it to pulse points for quick relief, and place it in front of your fans in containers to cool the air.
Stay Hydrated
Just because you are inside working, you still need to hydrate. Drink water throughout the day and avoid alcohol or too many caffeinated drinks.
Change Your Diet
What you eat can also help you to stay cool, refreshed, and hydrated. Swap large warm meals for refreshing salads.
Working from home in the summer can be great, as long as you find ways to stay cool and hydrated. And remember, wear sunscreen even if you are only out for a short time.
