How to stay focused at work when it’s cracking flags

With each new week seeming to bring another record-breaking temperature and even those of us here in Yorkshire feeling the benefits of warmer weather (moorland fires aside), how can you maintain your concentration to get done what’s needed while the mercury rockets?
Here are some brilliant tips for how to stay focused and productive during hot weather.

 
Flex your schedule
We didn’t take all the risk of working for ourselves only to be a slave to the 9-5 culture, so flex your hours depending on the weather. If mornings and evenings are cooler, try getting up earlier, taking a break in the middle of the day, and then working a bit later. Just don’t be fooled into staying at your desk for ridiculous hours by it still being light at 9.30pm. We all need time to wind down.

 
Take a siesta
Our Mediterranean cousins acknowledge that it’s tough to get stuff done between 12 and 2 when the sun is at its strongest. Take a leaf out of their book and go for a snooze under a tree, on a beanbag in the garden, or anywhere that’s cool and quiet – from September you’ll be able to retreat to our brand new roof terrace. Powernaps have definite benefits – a study at NASA on sleepy military pilots and astronauts found that a 40-minute nap improved performance by 34% and alertness 54%.

 
Stay hydrated and eat for the weather
Drinking two litres of water a day isn’t as hard as it sounds if you keep a bottle of water on your desk. Taking regular sips instead of gulping down half-pints at a time will also stop you needing the loo quite so often!
You can also top up your hydration levels by eating water-rich fruit and vegetables and skipping the salt-laden junk food. Frozen grapes make a real treat if you’re crazing something sweet and cool.

 
Max out on cooler days
Just as you don’t have to work office hours, when you’re the boss you can also choose to work some days and not others. If there’s a temporary break in the weather, work more hours that day so you can catch up or get ahead, meaning you can take your foot off the accelerator on the hotter days.

Keep your cool – dress for the weather
Breathable natural fabrics like cotton and linen will keep you much cooler when it’s cracking the flags outside. Looser clothing will also help. When you’re in charge of your business, you’re also in charge of your dress code, so cut yourself some slack and dress for the weather.

Enjoy it
There’s nothing worse than slaving away at your desk while it feels like the rest of the world is lazing around in parks eating ice cream. So however busy you are, make sure you take a break, get outside for a stroll and buy that 99 if you really want one! Take a look at our blog about the benefits of nature on productivity for more reasons to go outside, pronto!

 
Plan a get-away
Something to look forward to is a great way to focus the mind, so while the weather lasts check out the last-minute availability at a campsite, holiday cottage or lodge for your next available weekend. Or go the whole hog and book yourself a full-on all-inc fortnight somewhere wonderful, knowing almost all hotels have wifi and you can take your laptop along if you really need to.

 
Our pent house offices have views across Halifax’s stunning skyline and direct access to the roof garden. With just two spaces remaining, you could move in at the end of the summer and benefit from a green view year-round. Give us a call on 01422 413035 for a tour around Halifax’s best new offices with a view!