With temperatures set to reach 30 degrees in the UK next week it’s easy to make the decision to fold down the laptop and take a trip down to the beach or pump up the paddling pool. But with the hot weather set to last for a few weeks the heat is here for the long haul and we’re going to need to look for ways to live with it. Or at least try to make the office seem a bit more bearable.

Drink Lots Of Water

The first tip isn’t specifically for the office but something that will make your days a lot easier. Stay hydrated! The NHS advise that people should be drinking between 6 – 8 glasses of water a day (or even more when the weather is hot). Keep a bottle of water at your desk so that you can take regular sips throughout the day. Why not keep a spare bottle in the office fridge so you can swap them over from time to time and always have easy access to a cold refreshing drink.

Keep it Covered

When the temperature starts to rise it’s easy for people to start reducing layers in order to keep themselves cool. But a great way to help keep rooms cool during the day is by trying to keep windows covered. Ideally keep blinds or curtains drawn all day to limit the amount of sunlight getting through the windows and heating up the room.

Adapt the Work Day

This may not be suitable for all organisations and job roles but where it is possible consider letting your staff work a more flexible schedule. This means they can avoid having to commute into the office in the blistering heat. Especially in locations where a lot of staff are using public transport like City Centres. Did you know the London Central Line regularly reaches average temperatures of over 30 degrees and that’s just an regular July day. Not the heatwave we are currently experiencing.

Ensure Employees are Comfortable

The obvious solution to keeping the office cool during a heatwave would be to have an air conditioning in place. But these systems are costly to install and can’t be put in at a moments notice. So what other things can you do to try and keep employees comfortable when the office is hot, hot, hot? Create an ergonomic working area but using something like a monitor arm or posture focused chair. This will mean less strain and movement while sat at your desk. Fans can be places strategically around rooms and corridors to try and keep cool air flowing. Make sure everyone has access to safe drinking water and minimise the need for any tasks that involve manual labour (like heavy lifting).

Loosen up the Dress Code

The climate in the UK means that in the summer it’s not just hot, it’s humid too. Why not consider loosening the office dress code while the temperatures are reaching record highs to help staff keep cool and comfortable in the office. Everyone is in the same boat and it’s unlikely customers or visitors are going to be put off with some slightly relaxed style choices in the workplace. We’re all human after all.

Hopefully you’ll find a few of these tips useful to help keep yourself and your staff cool in the office this Summer.

The lines between home and work are more blended than ever. While there are many benefits to working from the comfort of home (no commute, flexibility, perceived productivity increase and more) these blurred boundaries make it challenging to determine what is and what isn’t working in your work-from-home (WFH) routine, especially when each day may feel the same.

Establishing boundaries within your work/home space is a key component to ensuring you find the balance you need to stay healthy both mentally and physically. Here are a few ways to ensure you maximize your WFH situation for you.

Have A Routine

Establish a routine that is consistent, calming and fun to ensure your day starts and ends in the best way for you. From dedicated work hours to meditation breaks, be advantageous with your time to make the biggest difference and impact on your day.

According to the Society of Human Resources Professionals, the most challenging part of WFH is unplugging after work hours. Stick to your established work hours and turn off your computer when your time is up to prevent late-night check-ins.

Extra tip: Ensure your routine complements your day and incorporates things that make you happy. A monotonous routine is tough and doesn’t help your overall mental capacity.

Designate A Working Area

Create a space in your home specifically for work. Whether you reserve a sunny corner of your living room or dedicate a room, make sure you have a space with an ergonomic set-up to be successful.

Place your monitor or laptop at a comfortable position for you. Consider a monitor arm for lifting one or two screens to the right height and distance from your eyes. The tilt feature will help reduce any glare, and the monitor arm will free up more desk space.

A quality height-adjustable workstation will also help keep you comfortable and focused.

Get Some Fresh Air

A walk can reset the mood and balance of your day. Walking in nature can help you clear your mind after a tough call or inspire new ideas. Don’t have time for a walk? Step outside and take a few deep breaths with your eyes closed to feel more refreshed.

Adding movement to your WFH routine will help keep you energized and productive, especially when you’re missing out on extra steps you usually get in the office, like walking to the shop at lunch time or visiting clients.

Work With A Friend (If Safe To Do So)

Human interaction is perhaps the most-missed component of the WFH lifestyle and one that can infringe on your creativity and overall mental well-being. Find a co-worker who you can safely work with (even from a short distance) and tackle the day together. Changing up the day-to-day can help breathe new life into your WFH schedule and help make work hours feel more manageable.

Lack of social interaction matched with chronic stress among remote workers can lead to burnout. These tips from the Harvard Business Review, matched with our WFH boundaries, are a great place to start or reshape your current situation.

The WFH or hybrid home-office lifestyle is here to stay. Committing to a comfortable home office can help you manage your work-life balance and make working from home work for you.