Easy Tips for Being Productive in Summer

The heat-up weather, muggy air, and hot temperature are the quintessential phenomenon of summertime, which makes us feel tired, sluggish, and inefficient in the workplace. According to the research [1], 25% of office workers feel their productivity decreased in summer. If you are too, here are some easy tips for keeping productivity in the workplace during the summer.

1. Set Proper Temperature

The heat is the main reason for summer tiredness that makes it hard to stay positive and concentrate in the workplace. From 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. is the hottest part of the day, so we’d better stay indoors during that time. Concerning the indoor temperature, setting the optimal temperature in the office environment can significantly increase productivity. Researchers from The Ernest Orlando Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory studied the “effect of temperature on task performance in office environment” [2], found that the best estimate of how performance varies with temperature in the range of 21-24℃ (about 69.8℉-75.2℉), and the highest productivity is at the temperature of around 22℃ (about 71.6 ℉).

2. Eat Healthily and Stay Hydrated

Summer brings sunshine and heat, which raise the chance of dehydration. Thus, make sure to get enough water and eat healthily in the summer. When you get fatigued, less urination and your urine become yellow – that’s the signs of dehydration, and you need to increase your water intake. Do not drink sugary soft drinks instead of water, cause it can lead to dehydration, insulin resistance, and abdominal obesity. Additionally, take sufficient fresh fruits and veggies like tomatoes, avocados, watermelon, and grapefruits to keep a healthy diet.

3. Ensure Adequate Sleep

Poor sleep is associated with productivity loss in the workplace. Insufficient sleep can lead us to poor performance, such as error, procrastination, sluggishness. How to ensure adequate sleep in the summer? The Center for Disease Control recommends that adults should sleep 7-8 hours a day at night. To get quality sleep, try the following tips. Firstly, don’t eat or drink too much before sleep. Secondly, set your bedroom temperature right, wear the right pajamas, and use the comfort sheet to get prepared for bed. Yoga is relaxing - you can do some before bed to relax your mind and body. Besides, listen to ASMR like raindrops and other natural sounds can also help overcome insomnia and help fall asleep faster.

4. Buy A Plant

Plants play an essential role in the workplace environment, which can spruce up the workspace, absorb noise, reduce stress, purify the air, and boost productivity. The light and temperature indoor are the main factors that impact the growth of plants. Thus, some easy-care indoor plants are good options for the office environment, such as Chlorophytum Comosum, Epipremnum Aureum, Sansevieria trifasciata, and cactus.

[Related article: 6 Best Plants for Your Office Environment]

5. Improve Desk Layout

One of the easiest ways to improve working productivity is to improve your desk layout. An organized and ergonomic workspace helps people stay productive and comfort in the workspace. For example, raise the monitor to your eye-level with a monitor mount, reduce clutter by using cable management, and alleviate the stress of elbows by adding a keyboard tray. 

6. Do exercise

In the hot summertime, people are more likely to be sedentary, while working out can increase energy levels and cut summer fatigue. When it comes to exercise, there are plenty of options, ranging from high-cost activity, to free. Apps like Nike+ offer more than 100 free exercise guides for all fitness levels. If you don’t have time to work out in a gym or outside, you can also try some simple office exercise for your fit.

Referral

[1] https://grasshopper.com/resources/infographics/the-summer-slump-decline-of-productivity/

[2] https://indoor.lbl.gov/sites/all/files/lbnl-60946.pdf