No air conditioner at the office? These tricks will help you keep cool
8.7.2020
Translation: Eva Francis
Summer has arrived – and with it, plenty of sunshine and heat. But when you're sitting in your office soaked in sweat, the heat can get to you. Here are a few tricks that will help you withstand the heat even in an office without air conditioning.
Enjoying long summer evenings with friends in your garden, spending the whole weekend at the water and making the most of sunlight from morning to evening – these are the beautiful sides of summer. Despite public holidays, long weekends and vacations, you still spend most of your time at work. If your workplace is air-conditioned or your employer provides other ways for you to cool down, you’re lucky on hot days. There’s no cooling system in your office? Don’t worry. There are several other ways and tools that can help you stay cool at work.
Fans offer a cool breeze
The most popular and next best alternative to air conditioners are fans. If you don't have a nearby power outlet at your workplace, go for a model with a USB port. These models may be smaller and weaker, but they're still better than nothing.
If you have a power outlet and enough space for a large fan, choose a tower fan, as it’s particularly quiet and the airflow is wider than with regular, round fans. Tower fans are often slightly more expensive, but their superior cooling result is worth the extra charge.
Of course, any fan is better than no fresh breeze. With any model, make sure the air doesn’t blow directly into your face, or your eyes will dry out. I’ve noticed that installing a fan under the table and pointing it at the underside of the table top is a great way to cool down. Don’t want or can’t have an electric fan? A handheld fan will also do the job – but you’ll only have one hand free to type.
Cooling towels are an (almost) secret weapon
Cooling towels? Exactly. They’re not towels with built-in ventilation or hidden fans – cooling towels are usually made of thin fabrics such as microfibres, polyester or polyamide. They’re soaked in cold water, wrung out, shaken and then left to cool on your shoulders, head or any other part of the body. The cooling effect lasts for several hours depending on the cloth and can be repeated as often as you wish. These towels cool down any part of your body by what feels like 10 to 15 degrees and make you feel fresh. Whether in the office, at home or during a workout, cooling towels are a real treat on hot summer days.
Standby isn’t an option
Nowadays, there’s almost no job that doesn’t involve computer work. Sure, these devices are helpful. But they also give off a lot of heat. Screens, televisions and projectors heat up a room even more. Switching from desktop PC to laptop can help temperatures low in office spaces. If you don’t necessarily need one, don’t use a notebook or projector in meeting. Good old notepads, pencils or ballpoint pens might be out of fashion, but they’re still available and they work perfectly.
Light lunch
Nothing beats a tasty schnitzel or a juicy cheeseburger, but on hot summer days, you’re better off avoiding a fatty lunch. Hearty food puts additional strain on the body. As a result, the digestive process makes you sweat more and feel tired faster. A light lunch, such as vegetables or fruit, is a better choice. How about a salad with feta as main course and berries for dessert? That would be a good lunch for a hot summer day. Avoid very hot and fatty meal as well as food that’s difficult to digest – they can make your afternoon at the office unbearable.
Liquids
The title says it all: drinking enough is important. When you sweat, your body loses much more liquid than usual. You have to compensate for this loss by drinking a lot throughout the day. Sweating also helps your body to cool down. Of course, it matters what liquid you drink: water, unsweetened fruit tea or herbal tea or fruit spritzers are ideal during the summer months. Make sure not your drinks aren't too cold, or your body will produce even more heat to balance out the difference. The same goes for hot tea. Coffee, with or without milk, isn't great either, but it's better than drinking nothing at all.
Light and floaty clothing
If your employer's dress code allows it, wear floaty clothes. Anything that fits tightly and is made of thick fabric makes it hard for your skin to breathe. Even light clothing, depending on the fabric, might transport moisture. Light-coloured clothing reflects sunlight, while dark fabrics absorb and store heat. Vanessa, fashion expert from our editorial team, knows exactly what you should and shouldn't wear in midsummer.
Cool down your wrists, forehead and feet
Placing your hands and wrists under cold running water is a great way to cool down. Granted, it's not a very ecological option, but you don't have to leave the tap running for minutes on end. All it takes is a few seconds and you'll feel refreshed. Wet your neck and temples while you're at it. Place a small basin in the sink while you cool your wrists and put it under your desk when you're done. Take off your shoes and socks and treat your feet to a cool bath. hot water bottle works just as well: fill it with cold water, put it in the freezer for a few minutes in the fridge for a few hours and then place it between your feet.
Know any other tricks or products that help cool down your office without an air conditioner? Drop me a comment down below. Thanks! If you want to stay up to date on the topic of summer cooling and don't want to miss any more tricks for your own home, follow me by clicking on the «Follow author» button.
Header image: Keeping cool in an open-plan office without air conditioning isn't easy.
Raphael Knecht
Senior Editor
raphael.knecht@digitecgalaxus.chWhen I'm not stuffing my face with sweets, you'll catch me running around in the gym hall. I’m a passionate floorball player and coach. On rainy days, I tinker with my homebuilt PCs, robots or other gadgets. Music is always my trusted companion. I also enjoy tackling hilly terrain on my road bike and criss-crossing the country on my cross-country skis.