Surviving Your Office Job This Summer

Can’t stand the thought of watching summer through the office window? Don’t quit your job - follow our advice to make your office job bearable this summer.

By Alana Lauren

Many of us are stuck watching summer go by through an office window, the air conditioner blasting, the dreaded words, “it's so nice out, you should get outside” echoing in our heads.

Fortunately, there are simple changes you can make during the day to take advantage of the perfect weather outside.

Bike or walk to work.

Start off your mornings energized and ready to take on the workday. Opt to bike or walk to work. If you have to take public transportation, get off a few stops earlier to squeeze in some light exercise before 8 a.m.

Coffee break outdoors.

Arrange to have your coffee break outside. As little as five minutes will rejuvenate you.

Get up and get out of the office once every 90 minutes.

When you're nose-deep in work, it's easy to lose track of time. Set up reminders on your phone or email every 60-90 minutes to get up and get outside. Walk to the nearest coffee house, sit under a tree or just enjoy the sunshine for five or ten minutes.

Ask questions and discuss issues face-to-face.

Rather than sending an email every time you have a question, go to your coworker's office to discuss the issue face-to-face. This gives you a good excuse to get moving and a chance to more effectively hash out solutions in person. Better yet, text to arrange to meet outside for a few minutes.

Use your lunch break to get outside.

So many of us today work through our lunch break. When possible, take advantage of this time to walk outside and soak in the nice weather. Fresh air and vitamin D are often all you need to stay focused and push through the afternoon slump.

Stand up and stretch.

If you don't have time to get out of the office every 90 minutes, use the opportunity to stand up and stretch instead. Stretching is a great way to increase energy levels, reduce muscle tension and get your body moving. Stretch in front of a sunny window, it will lift your spirits.

Take a walk during conference calls.

Conference calls are the perfect time to be active. Put clients and coworkers on speaker, or use your mobile phone during meetings to move around without any trouble.

Hold a meeting outside. Many coworkers will welcome the opportunity to stand and stretch their legs for a moment. If you have a twoperson meeting, consider going for a walk.

Work from home.

If at all possible, work from home during the height of summer. Productivity increases when you are relaxed and happy - working from your deck will definitely boast productivity.

The four-day week

If you are the boss, consider implementing a four-day week during the summer months (July and August). Not only will you increase employee loyalty, you will also see a decrease in sick days on Monday mornings and Friday afternoons.

Summer on the Island seems to fly by; if you work in an office all day it may feel like you miss summer all together. Making a point to get outside throughout the day puts you on the right track toward wellness.