Working from home often seems like the perfect life. Before you do it, you imagine sitting around eating cookies, watching Netflix, working when you want to, and going out when you fancy it. Many of the people that you know probably assume that this is how your days go, even now that you know the truth.
Even though your days are probably a lot busier and more structured than you thought they would be, working from home does still have a great many advantages. You’ll have flexibility and control. You’ll be able to organise your days around your other commitments, and, you can work from home. You won’t have to defrost the car on a freezing cold morning and get wrapped up to go out in the cold. You won’t spend your days blowing on your fingers while working in a cold office or warehouse. And you won’t have to brave hot and sticky public transport when it’s boiling hot in the summertime. Working from home can be much more comfortable.
But, not always. When the weather is harsh, either very hot or very cold, working can be uncomfortable wherever you are. You might have mornings when it’s so cold that you just don’t want to get out of bed. You might struggle to stay warm when you are sat still typing, and inclement weather might mean that your internet connection suffers, or even worse, your boiler stops working. In the summer, it can be hot and sticky, and you might find it hard to focus if you are sat in a stuffy room. Here are some of the things that you can do to make working from home as comfortable and productive as possible, even when the weather is freezing, or very hot.
Get Your Boiler Serviced
The very last thing that you want when you are working from home over winter is for your boiler to die. There’s nothing worse than being sat without heating and hot water when it’s cold outside. When this happens, portable heaters and even going to a library or coffee shop to work are fantastic options. But, having your boiler serviced before the bad weather really hits can mean that it’s never something that you need to worry about.
Check Your Radiators
Often heating problems have a simple fix, like bleeding your radiators or adjusting the settings. If your home feels colder than you might expect, touch your radiators. Make sure they are set to the hottest they go, and that they are hot all over. If they need bleeding, it’s usually something that you can do yourself with a radiator key.
Move Around
We get colder when we’re sat still. When you’ve got a lot of work to do, you might need to spend long periods at your desk. But, that doesn’t mean that you can’t get up and move around. Go for a walk around your house, or even run on the spot for a few minutes of every hour. You might feel a little silly to start with, but no one else can see you, and it will warm your muscles and get your blood pumping.
Layer Up
Layering up is the easiest way to keep warm. A tight bottom layer, like a vest or short sleeve t-shirt, is ideal, but make sure any top layers are loose enough that you can work comfortably, without feeling restricted. Scarves and slippers can be exceptionally useful, and if you are really cold, putting your hood up or wearing a light hat until you warm up can be effective.
Get Out of the House
If you are worried about your heating bill over the winter months, you might want to consider working away from the home at least some of the time. Public spaces are usually well heated, try libraries, coffee shops and coworking spaces which will be warm and comfortable.
Drink Plenty of Hot Drinks
Hot drinks are a fantastic way to warm up quickly. You might want to avoid too much caffeine, especially later on in the day, which might keep you awake at night, or lead to a crash later on. Try hot chocolates, herbal teas and even warm milk. Hot meals and snacks can also be useful.
Follow the Sun
As soon as the sun goes down, we close our curtains to trap the heat in, but what about before then? In the day time, you might work in a home office. But, this won’t be in the sun all day. Move around your house, working in the rooms that get the most sunlight, and then following the sun around as time passes — closing your doors behind you to keep the warm air in as much as you can.
When it’s Hot
A hot day might not seem as though it poses as many problems. Your fingers are unlikely to get so hot that they struggle to work. But, it can still be sticky and hard to focus, especially if you don’t have air conditioning at home.
The first thing that you need to do is stay hydrated. If you live in a very hot area, it’s a good idea to have poly water tanks fitted, so that you are never short of water. Sip regularly throughout the day. It’s also a good idea to dress in loose, cotton clothes, to open your windows and shut the blinds if the sun is in your eye line. Other options include working outdoors in the shade, making sure you wear a hat and sunscreen or organising your work so that you don’t need to be working at the hottest times of the day.
The best thing about working from home is that you are in control. If it’s too hot, you don’t have to stay where you are and make the best of it like you would if you were employed, you can make changes to make your day better. Sometimes, it’s just about trying different things to find a work set up that works for you. Whatever the weather.
- This post has been written for Morning Business Chat by an outside source – See disclosure policy
