Fear Another Heatwave? How to help yourself work more effectively in one

You have likely grown accustomed to disconcertingly hot weather in recent weeks. Climate scientists have warned in words quoted by the Guardian that “previously impossible heatwaves are killing people” — and climate models suggest that such weather will become more common.

Hence, it would bode well for you to be diligent in preparing for an intense heatwave potentially striking again soon. Fortunately, experts have already provided some good pointers for how you can prevent sky-high temperatures from throwing your productivity into disarray.

Keep your work environment at a “reasonable” temperature 

The above might initially sound like a case of stating the obvious. However, if you are an employer, you do need to heed the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)’s stipulation that you keep your workplace at a “reasonable temperature” for your employees’ “thermal comfort”.

Hence, if a significant number of your co-workers feel that the indoor work environment is too hot, your company theoretically ought to respond by undertaking and acting on a risk assessment.

Work from home if the situation calls for it 

Jo Mackie, the head of employment law at the legal firm Slater and Gordon, points out that employers have a duty of care to make sure their employees are safe at work.

“You can ask to work from home if your employer won’t be able to maintain a reasonable temperature, if, for example, there is no air conditioning in the building,” Mackie has indicated to readers of the Guardian.

Many online work tools, like webinars, can be used as easily in the home as in the office — even if you are currently yearning to ask a question like “what is a webinar?”

Be strategic with where you place ice packs 

You might be able to make a fair few of these in the kitchen when working from home. However, you can optimise the effect of these packs by being precise with where you put them.

“Applying a cold compress to points of the body where a strong pulse can be found works to cool the body from the inside out,” expert health practitioner Stacey Dutton tells Cosmopolitan. “Keeping your feet in a cool bowl of water will also help you cool down overall.” Although you should exercise caution when using these, especially if you are pregnant, check your pregnancy calculator to determine what is safe to use based on how many weeks you are.

Shut the windows and curtains — yes, really 

“Opening the windows on a hot day will fill the rooms with hot air and in turn, raise the temperature,” Dutton warns. The same applies if you leave the curtains or blinds open.

Dutton adds: “The windows should be opened when the temperature outside cools and the sun begins to set, to let cool air in and encourage the indoor temperature to drop further.”

Breathe in some peppermint 

“It’s packed with menthol that delivers a tingling effect to the skin, which replicates the feeling of being cold,” Dutton says about peppermint.

She continues: “Inhaling peppermint can cool the body, however, when diluted in water or oil, it can also be directly applied to the skin.” Another reason for you to seriously consider turning to peppermint is its pleasing number of antibacterial properties.