Air conditioning has been God’s gift to the world. But what do you do when your office manager missed the memo of how to appropriately use air conditioning? There’s nothing worse than coming in from the sweltering heat of the outside only to freeze your butt off in the office. If your office is constantly cold, here are some tips to help you get through the day without freezing before the workday ends.
1. Keep A Coat In Your Office
Duh. If it’s constantly cold inside your office, then bring along a jacket. Here’s the key, keep the jacket in your office, and don’t take it home until the end of the week or when you need to take it home for washing. Make it a habit to keep your jacket on the back of your chair or on a coat rack. Because you will probably be wearing the jacket at work, pick one that is reasonably neutral in color so that it blends well with all your outfits. Gauge the type of jacket you need. If it’s unreasonably cold, you may want to opt for a heavier jacket. If you get the chills every now and then, then a light pullover might be what you need. Never taking the jacket home will ensure that you will always have one on call when you need it.
2. Dress In Layers
If your fashion choices drive your work day, or you don’t want the hassle of being stuck in a winter coat all day at work, then you might want to reconsider what you wear to work. Before you leave the house, check to make sure that your outfit will keep you warm throughout the day. Instead of just wearing a sweater, pull on an undershirt to keep you warm. Instead of a pair of shorts, you might want to swap them out for something warmer like a pair of long trousers. If you are constantly wearing dresses and skirts, including a layer of tights or leggings can keep your legs from freezing over.
Adjusting your outfits throughout the workday might be the fix you need to help you get through without freezing. If you do choose to dress in layers, it might not be a bad idea to bring along a pair of backup clothes to change into at the end of the day. This will keep you from having to run back home if you have plans after work.
3. Oversized Scarf
Scarfs aren’t just for winter. If you are constantly cold throughout the day, then get yourself a soft, black pashmina scarf. Keep your scarf at work, or carry it around in your purse. Scarfs are inconspicuous, and will work well with literally any outfit. Wrap it around your neck when you get cold, or drape it around your shoulders for warmth when you need it. The thicker the pashmina, the better.
4. Start Your Day With A Cup Of Hot Coffee
Warm yourself up early in the day by bringing along a hot mug of coffee. Taking small sips throughout the day will help give you a boost of warmth while you are working. If you are not a coffee person, then substitute your drink with something else. A cup of hot chocolate is a great substitute for those of you with a sweet tooth. A hot cup of herbal tea not only will help warm you up, but its aromatics smell will help wake your senses and relax you at the same time. The great thing about sipping on a hot drink is that you can have it at your disposal throughout the day. Finally, don’t forget, you can you use your hot cup of joe as a hand warmer when your belly has had enough.
5. Portable Heater
Don’t underestimate the power of a small heater. The next time you go into the office, pack a small portable heater and plug it in. The best place to place your heater for continuous warmth throughout the day is right beside your feet. A heater underneath the desk is a lot more inconspicuous and won’t let your office mates know that you are too cold to work. You can place it on the top of your desk as well.
Just be aware that it might become a nuisance and get in the way as you work. You may want to check with your employer first to see if you can bring in a heater to the office. If you do choose to bring a heater into your workspace, just be sure to unplug it everytime you leave the office or your desk. Space heaters are notoriously known as a fire hazard. Make sure if you are going to use one, use it appropriately and with caution.
6. Heat Packs And Pocket Warmers
Invest your money is some heat packs. You can opt for an electric heating pad if you need a long-term fix. Or if you want something more inconspicuous and temporary, then reusable heat packs might be the way to go. There are even cute little pocket heat packs that will keep you warm without anyone noticing. You can get heating packs or pocket warmers virtually anywhere. Be sure to stock up on some and keep them stashed in your desk when you need them. When you are shopping for your heat packs or pocket warmers, look for ones that can be activated easily without much hassle. This will help you focus your time on work instead of figuring out how to keep warm.
7. Throw Blankets
You are never too old to carry around a blanket. For toddlers, we call them baby blankets. But for us adults, we like to refer to them as throw blankets. Grab a blanket from home that is decently sized and bring it along to work with you. Much like your work jacket, you are going to want to keep your throw blanket at work. Take it home only when it needs a good washing. This way, it will always be available, and you won’t forget it.
8. Move Around
If dragging along extra fabrics to keep you warm doesn’t sound appealing to you, then the answer might be as simple as moving around. Sitting in your chair all day will keep your muscles stationary for the most part. Warm yourself up by getting up and moving around. Doing a couple of laps around the office will help loosen up and warm up your muscles. Not only that, but your body will thank you for it. Sitting for extended periods of time is not good for your blood circulation, so be sure to get up and move around periodically.
9. Ask Your Boss To Adjust The Air Conditioning
This one may sound really obvious, but you would be surprised. Often, Your office manager or boss has control over the air conditioning. If this is the case, then it might be as simple as your office manager or boss to turn it down. Before you ask your office manager or boss to turn down the air conditioning, it might be a good idea to ask your coworkers if they feel just as cold. If they do, this will help strengthen your case before you go and ask your employer to turn up the heat.
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to freeze yourself throughout the workday any longer. With these simple adjustments, you can stay warm while you work. And even better, your wardrobe doesn’t have to suffer for it. On the other hand, enjoy the cold while you can. Because chances are, if your office manager or boss doesn’t know how to the control the air conditioning, then they’re probably unskilled at adjusting the heat too.
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