Are you more inclined to procrastinate or nap than work because of your cold office? OSHA recommends office temperature to be between 68 to 76 ℉. But what should you do if it’s not the right temperature for you?
Getting toasty and comfortable in your office will boost your productivity. To combat the Arctic winds in your office, we listed ways on how you can keep yourself warm throughout your day.
Sometimes, the office is just freezing cold. Sometimes, it can be underlying health conditions or physiology.
It’s Not You; It’s the Office
If everybody in the office experiences the same chilliness, the most likely explanation is the office itself.
- Building Materials. If bricks, concrete, or stone make up your building, the office will feel colder as these materials absorb and gradually releases heat over time. Your office will be cool during the day and warm at night.
- Low AC Setting. Another simple explanation is your desk is situated right in front of the AC (or close to it.) Old offices also use a temperature standard for men’s body heat, causing female office workers to feel colder.
- Insufficient Insulation. The office may be in an area with a frigid climate, and the building doesn’t have enough insulation to keep heat in. For example, your office building is on in a snowy location. You might not see snow at your elevation, but it doesn’t mean you won’t feel the cold.
Poor Blood Circulation
If you’re the only one feeling cold, you could have low blood flow. A cause of poor blood circulation could be a blockage, like a blood clot. You’ll know this is the case if you feel cold in just one area of the body. For instance, your legs get cold quickly, indicating an acute blockage in your leg arteries.
Low BMI or Low Body Fat
Walruses, whales, and polar bears use blubber fat to stay warm. Human fat cells do the same and keep heat. You can feel cold more easily when you have body issues that cause you to lose fat.
Below are several reasons that cause the loss of body fat:
- Your body will burn fat more as fuel for energy if you don’t have a proper and healthy diet, resulting in boniness or gauntness.
- Weight loss exercise programs and diets. Intentionally changing your physique with exercise and diet can increase your body’s fat consumption.
- Notice that most people lose fats when they age. Aging also causes a loss of appetite, so the body burns more fat.
- Anorexia nervosa. This eating disorder often found in women causes an intense fear of weight gain and a distorted perception of weight, leading to emaciation and other health issues.
Lack of Sleep
Did you know your body temperature goes to its lowest point in the middle of the night while you’re in dreamland? Sleep is critical to regulating your body’s temperature and fighting injuries and diseases. When you fail to get enough zzzs, you’ll feel cold while awake – a sign that your body needs more rest.
Medication Side Effects
Particular medication can make you feel cold as a side effect. A great example are beta-blockers. They relax the heart to keep your body from making harmful chemicals in response to an illness. Their side effects include feeling nauseous, dizzy, tired, and cold in the hands and feet. You might need to see your doctor and ask for a lower dosage depending on your health and symptoms.
Health Issues
Specific health issues can make you feel unnaturally cold, even in an office with moderate temperatures. These issues include hypothyroidism, anemia, kidney disease, and iron deficiency.
Simple Ways to Keep Warm
After figuring out what makes you cold at the office, how should you deal with it?
Wear a Jacket, Sweater, or Hoodie
The most straightforward answer to a cold workspace is to wear more layers. Invest in office-friendly jackets and sweaters that you could rock indoors. You could wear a hoodie if your workplace has a lax dress code.
Keep a Blanket at Work
Pick a warm and cozy blanket designated for office use. You could put it on your lap to keep your legs warm. If you’re at a desk and aren’t facing customers, you may wear a blanket around your shoulders to stay cozy.
Bring Fingerless Gloves and Scarves
Do your exposed body parts, like your hands, neck, and face, feel cold the most? Invest in quality fingerless gloves and scarves that match your office uniform. If you don’t need to work at a keyboard or handle delicate tasks, consider buying gloves that cover your whole hands.
Stay Warm with Heated Insoles
Keep your toes and feet warm without breaking the dress code by shopping for fleece, wool, or thermal insoles that warm up when used.
Drink Hot Beverages
Drinking a cup of hot coffee or tea is another straightforward answer to the problem of feeling cold at the office. You could even bring back a dose of your childhood and make yourself hot cocoa to drink.
Using Technology to Stay Warm
Improve your workspace situation through heating technology with various functions. These gadgets and electronic options are great for those who stay at their desk most of the day, even gamers who get cold hands easily.
Use USB Heaters
Picking USB Heaters is a smart option, especially if your computer has a lot of free USB terminals. They also work well with most phone chargers since they use a USB cable.
Another significant benefit of USB heaters is they come in all shapes and functions, including:
- Cup heaters
- Hand warmers
- Foot heaters
- Mini desk heater
Get a Space Heater
Space heaters are the solution if you’re not a fan of wearing layers of clothing and heating accessories. These warm up a room for a couple of hours and directly heat anyone and anything nearby. It’s an excellent supplemental heat source but can be pretty pricey regarding electricity cost.
Buy an Electric Blanket
Finally, consider adding an electric heating blanket to your anti-freeze protection collection. Most electric blankets are energy efficient. On top of that, they can relieve aches and pains like arthritis and sciatica more efficiently than a regular wooly blanket.