Solutions

Every year we look forward to the summer: time to put on our summer outfits again at last; long, mild evenings tempting us to linger at the beer garden. And what can be nicer than spending a sunny day on the beach with friends?

But when summer is finally here, reality soon catches up with us. Instead of having fun at the swimming pool, we sit sweating in our offices. After all, only schoolchildren and teachers can stay at home in this hot weather.

Nonetheless, employers too have a duty of care towards their workers; they are obliged to provide for their health and wellbeing. And it is in the employer's interest, too, to keep room temperatures bearable: performance levels drop considerably in hot weather, with concentration and motivation dropping as the temperature rises. It can also be bad for the health. Overheating can lead to headaches, dizziness, fatigue and even palpitations or high blood pressure.

How to keep cool

If you had the choice you would probably have swapped your suit for a floaty top with spaghetti straps long ago – but that's a look few companies tolerate.

However, if temperatures are Saharan indoors and out, you should ask your boss if the dress code can be relaxed for a while. After all, it doesn't leave a good impression if sweat drips off your forehead as you talk to customers. Low-cut tops, very short miniskirts and sleeveless or cropped tops should, however, be avoided entirely in the office.

During the hot season, watch out for what you eat. Plenty of salad, fruit and vegetables are always healthy, and particularly advisable in the summer as they do not put such a strain on your body as meat or other rich foods.

Drinking is also important – two or three litres a day at least are necessary in hot weather. If you are fed up with constant mineral water, one good alternative is cold peppermint tea, or another non-alcoholic mint-based drink. This medicinal herb is not just good for your health; it also acts on your body like a cold shower. Your body temperature sinks – true refreshment from the inside out.

Another good way to cool down is with towelettes or refreshing sprays which you can apply unobtrusively and which also have a refreshing fragrance – though make sure it is not too strong. A small electric fan on your desk or in your hand can also bring relief.

Pouring cold water across your wrists or the back of your neck can be invigorating, and chemists sell facial spritzes which are extremely refreshing. And if you cannot do without make-up even in the summer, there are special products in the shops which do not run and even have an additional cooling effect.

During the day, close the windows and pull down the blinds – wait until the evening to air the room, or even better the night, when temperatures are no longer as high outside. If security regulations prevent you from leaving the window open a crack overnight, you can ask the cleaners to close all the windows when they have finished work.

If, despite everything you have done, it is still unbearably hot, there is one more thing you can do: ask your boss if you can move your shift to the early morning, or take your lunch break a couple of hours later, when the office is really sweltering. At times like this many companies introduce a special break schedule; maybe yours will too.

Struggling out of the summer slump

Outside, the sun is shining; inside it's hot. And there's nothing to do: the summer slump is here. The first thing you do, of course, is use up all your overtime and take as much flexitime as you can.

But you should make good use of the time that remains: if you just sit around it will just make you feel all the more annoyed that you can't simply slam the door behind you and disappear off to the pool.

Summon all the motivation you have and tell yourself, "There's always something to do!" There really is. Take care of the filing. Or finally familiarise yourself with the fine points of Word, Excel or PowerPoint. Sort out your file directory and make up some new templates to save you work when the stress is on.

When that is finished you can tackle some later projects which you know you never have enough time for: there is nothing stopping you from organising the annual Christmas party or the upcoming company anniversary right now. Later on you will be happy that you have already made inroads into it.

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