Somehow, the world is suffering long summers and warmer days. In August 2020, Death Valley in California hit an astonishing 129.9 degrees Fahrenheit (54.4 degrees Celsius) at the Furnace Creek Visitor’s Center. Such temperature is inhumane for employees in the office, toiling before laptops that can overheat. But in recent years, there has been a push for business owners to be more cognizant of how they utilize and waste electricity in their offices, warehouses, retail stores, restaurants, factories, etc.
That’s why more and more of these businesses are institutionalizing energy-saving measures in their offices. But between putting in more plants in the office and turning the electric fans on while the air-conditioner is on low-cool mode, these don’t seem to work in a 130-degree Fahrenheit temperature. Somehow, you’ve got to find solutions to keep yourself cool in the office without necessarily relying on electricity.
Wear Breathable Clothing
Breathable clothing isn’t only a great way to cool yourself down during summer, but it will also protect you from the sun. It’s going to make walking or commuting to work bearable. Plus, that hot workplace won’t seem so bad when you wear the right clothing materials. Choose materials such as linen and cotton, or go for organic cotton if it’s available. Synthetic materials may also be good since they have a cooling effect on the skin.
When you get sweaty, make sure you have a change of clothes. This isn’t only to prevent getting sick, but also to make you look presentable. Plus, sweaty clothes feel hotter.
Take Advantage of the Cool Air
In the morning, when you get to the office, throw open the windows and let the cool morning breeze in. This way, you won’t have to turn on the air-conditioner immediately. You can enjoy the breeze. Once it gets hot at around 8 AM, it’s time to close the windows and the blinds. If you’re going to turn on the air-conditioner, better make sure that the cool air won’t escape the room.
Check Your HVAC System
Have someone check the air-conditioner and heating system. Usually, the reason for your high electricity bill is because the system isn’t working properly. Call an air conditioning repair company if you notice that your air conditioner isn’t working functioning normally. A broken air-conditioner is the worst thing for power consumption. When it is not working properly, it will consume more power, so always have them regularly checked for optimal performance.
Avoid the Midday Sun
The midday sun is the worst as it is the hottest time of the day. It doesn’t provide the vitamins your body needs and opens the risk for sunburn and other skin conditions. Don’t stay out at lunchtime. If you want to walk in the park during your lunch break, make sure you have something to cover your head. An umbrella is also nice. You should apply sunblock on your skin, too.
When you don’t follow these tips, your body can overheat. It will take a long time to cool it down. Once you arrive back in the office, your body will have a hard time adjusting to the temperature. It will demand more, which will make you want to crank up the air-conditioner’s cooling function.
Bring a Water Bottle with You
The body loses a lot of fluids when it’s too hot. It’s important to drink as much water as you can. Juice and soda are fluids, but they can sometimes be more dehydrating. At best, try to drink at least two to three liters of water per day. To add more flavors to the water, add sliced cucumbers, grated ginger, or peppermint leaves. Make sure to drink the fluids cold so that they will cool down your body.
Try to avoid taking alcoholic drinks when it is too hot because it will draw fluids from the body. It will make you feel flushed, too, which will increase your body’s need for hydration. You need to compensate with water.
Prefer Light and Frequent Meals
Heavy meals or a full stomach can make you feel tired. Your body will use energy to digest meats and other heavy foods. Take light meals only when you want to cool down. Focus on eating fresh fruits, vegetables, and salads because these are gentle on your stomach. You will need to exert and release less energy.
There are plenty of ways to cool your body during the summer that you won’t have to totally rely on air-conditioners. These days, businesses are trying to cut back on expenses to stay afloat. Finding ways not to crank up the electricity bill is something your company will appreciate, especially at this time. Everyone needs to make little sacrifices.
