Advice on working productively in the summer heatwave

With the UK temperature only rising this week, here are some tips on how to work productively in the summer heatwave.

Summer has officially begun, and with it, the UK is suffering from some very high temperatures. We had the hottest day on record in June, and whilst the weather has cooled down slightly, it is still incredibly hot.

As someone who enjoys summer, but definitely prefers autumn, I thought I'd share some advice on working productively in the summer heatwave.

But just to clarify, I'm no expert on this matter; these are simply some things I'm doing to help me keep cool this summer and ensure I can still get work done.

So, if you're struggling in the summer heatwave, check out my tips below.

Advice on working productively in the summer heatwave

Drink, Drink, Drink

When it is incredibly hot, our bodies sweat more and we can become more easily dehydrated. Therefore, it is imperative that we drink lots of water.

It can be hard, especially if you're someone who prefers cold water and your taps have been heated by the sun. However, we must try to keep hydrated; otherwise, our bodies and our brains will suffer from it.

Make sure you're refilling your glass or bottle regularly. If you've got ice cubes in the freezer, keep adding them to drinks, and if you want really cold water, you can always freeze half a bottle of water before filling the rest of it up from the tap.

Try not to drink too much alcohol or caffeine as they can dehydrate you quicker.

Keep Your Toes Cool

It is scientifically proven that if you can keep your extremities cool, it'll help cool the rest of your body down.

This is quite easy to do for some if you're sitting at your desk for work. If you can find a large enough bowl or tub, it'll work well.

Essentially, fill it up with water, place it under your desk, and submerge your feet whilst working.

I did this the other day and it helped wonders; I didn't get too hot, which meant I could keep working and tick things off my to-do list.

Utilise the Freezer

In the summer heatwave, having a freezer is a must-have. Not only can it store ice cubes or ice cream for when you want a break from work and a treat, but you can also freeze some ice packs.

Normally, ice packs are used to keep food and drink cool; however, they work wonders in a heatwave.

I've been having an ice pack, wrapping it in a tea towel, and using it like a cold compress for when I'm really hot. It helps to have it nearby when I'm working so when I do get too hot, I can press it to my skin, and start to cool down.

Goodbye Outside World

In a heatwave, the sun's rays can easily heat the inside of houses, especially when windows or curtains are open. So, whilst it might be hard to work in a darker room, try to shut out the outside world as much as you can.

This is especially important when the sun is shining in a certain room in your house. For me, I wake up to the sun shining on my bedroom, which is also where my desk is. So, it's easier to have the blinds shut in the morning and open them during the afternoon, when it's not so hot outside my window.

Raise Your Laptop

This piece of advice is only relevant to those who work with a laptop.

I've found that during this heatwave, my laptop has been working overtime and as a result, the fan has been going crazy and the keys have been getting hot.

So, to avoid burning my fingertips, I've been raising my laptop in the four corners to give it some breathing space. I've also decided to put an ice pack -- in a tea towel -- underneath when I'm not using it.

Not only is this helpful to stop the laptop overheating, but it will also help reduce the amount of heat the laptop is giving off.

All of these tips will hopefully help cool you down whilst working so that you can work productively. It's important to take breaks and ensure you're feeling good in this heat.

So, I hope these help, and if you've got any other tips and tricks for keeping cool whilst working in the summer heat, feel free to leave a comment.

Until next time...