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Working from home in the heat? Here's how to keep cool 🌞

woman at desk cooling herself with an electric fan
How to stay cool when working from home in heatdemaerre - Getty Images

A British "summer" is always one of extremes: one minute, you're in a jumper with an emergency umbrella stashed in your bag to guard you from impromptu showers; the next, it's so hot that you're reaching for a bikini just to sit in your living room. Us Brits are not exactly used to warm weather, after all.

So for those times when you are melting like a Calippo left in the sun for too long, tips on how to keep cool are essential – especially if you're working from home and don't have the luxury of office air conditioning. As lovely as the sun is during your lunch break, trying to answer emails coherently after an hour in 30-degree heat is pretty tough.

Thankfully, expert health practitioner Stacey Dutton, who works with home brand Unclutterer, is on hand to share some tips on how to keep cool while you're working in the heat – even if you don't have a fan at home.

Cool your pulse points

"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," says Dutton, who adds that the body's temperature is regulated by an area of the brain called the hypothalamus. "The hypothalamus turns the body’s temperature up and down by taking several factors into account – one being how hot (or cold) the actual skin is."

She explains that pulse points have the biggest influence on the workings of the hypothalamus, as the vessels are close to the surface of the skin, so applying a cold compress to the back of the neck, your temples and wrists will send a signal to your brain that the body is cooler than it is. Clever stuff! "Keeping your feet in a cool bowl of water will also help you cool down overall," she adds.

woman typing on laptop in the sun
undrey - Getty Images

Get yourself some peppermint oil

Not only does peppermint boast several antibacterial properties, it also has a cooling effect on the skin (hallelujah!). "It's packed with menthol, which delivers a tingling effect to the skin, which replicates the feeling of being cold," Dutton explains. "Inhaling peppermint can cool the body, however, when diluted in water or oil, it can also be directly applied to the skin." She suggested applying some peppermint oil to your pulse points (but go easy if you have sensitive skin, initially applying just a small amount to test the waters).

Shut the windows and curtains

This one may come as a shocker, but Dutton recommends keeping the windows closed on a scorching hot day. "It always amazes me how many people open a window, feel the warm air hit them, then leave the window open. Opening the windows on a hot day will fill the rooms with hot air and, in turn, raise the temperature," Dutton explains. Likewise, she says, if you have the curtains or blinds open, you'll be letting the sun in and again, the room's temperature will shoot right up. So keep the windows and blinds closed to create a cool, dark room. "The windows should be opened when the temperature outside cools and the sun begins to set – this will let cool air in and encourage the indoor temperature to drop further," she adds.

Strip off and make a cup of tea

If you've got a litre jug of icy water sat on your desk, that's a good start. But to go one better, Dutton advises drinking something hot – but only if you're able to wander around the house in a bikini (or something similar). "It may sound counterproductive, but having a hot drink can be really effective. It raises your body temperature further and this encourages you to sweat." Ultimately, she explains, sweating is a mechanism used by the body to cool it down. "If you're able to wear something that exposes a lot of your skin, then the sweat will evaporate and help you find relief from the heat. However, if you're not wearing clothes that will allow the sweat to evaporate, then it's wiser to opt for a cool drink after all." So this one all depends what time your next Zoom meeting is


Freeze your towels

"This is perhaps my favourite trick to cool you down if you're working from home in a heatwave – whether you have a fan or not," says Dutton. "Dampen a flannel or towel in cool water and wring out the excess. Fold it in half and roll it up tightly, then place it in the freezer for several hours, or ideally overnight." This will freeze the inner layers of the towel or flannel while keeping the outer later soft. When the sun kicks in, simply roll out the towel and place it on your back, or over your office chair. "You could even sit on it! A frozen towel cools the body almost immediately." We're feeling cooler just thinking about it.


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