Too Much Air Conditioning at Work?

Are you always bundling up at work or shivering while the co-worker next to you seems perfectly comfortable in the air-conditioned air? This is because people experience temperature differently. Even when your office is in the "comfort range", only 80 percent of people are comfortable. You are experiencing thermal discomfort, which is a condition that can be felt even if there is only a small chance of developing a medical condition like hypothermia, heat stroke, heat exhaustion or heat stress.

To solve the problem of thermal discomfort you should identify the external sources of coldness.

Air temperature: How hot or cold the surrounding air is.

Humidity: How much moisture is in the air.

Air movement: This includes air speed (or wind speed), and air circulation.

Radiant heat: This is the heat that radiates from the sun, or emitted by plants, buildings, fixtures or processes.

You can also look for internal factors that may be causing your thermal discomfort. The hypothalamus at the base of your brain is the thermostat center in your body. The thyroid gland in your body is the way that the metabolism is regulated. Everyone has a unique ideal temperature and here are the reasons why:

Weight: The more body fat you have, the more insulation and you probably won't feel as cold.

Fitness: If you have a higher amount of dense muscle, your body will regulate temperature more efficiently. Also, exercise helps to enhance the overall regulation of your body's system.

Diet: Your body needs nutrients to work efficiently. If it does not get them, you could feel tired and cold.

Gender: Women tend to suffer from hypothyroidism more. This is a condition where the thyroid does not work enough and causes you to feel cold. Women are also affected by menstrual cycles and menopause which can affect body temperature. Less muscle mass is apparent in women which lowers average body temperature and causes temperature irregularity in some women.

Age: As people get older they do not produce as many hormones. This makes you feel colder. Hormonal surges during menopause can also cause hot flashes.

Stress: Being too tense or uptight can reduce circulation and make you feel colder.

The main thing is to listen to your body. You may just be the sort of person who has to wear more layers to feel comfortable. If you find yourself suddenly needing four more layers it may be time to see a doctor.

To manage your personal thermal discomfort at work so that you can focus on the jobs or tasked assigned to you, try these solutions:

-Blankets: can provide extra warmth

-Do physical activities, like walk around the office while completing a task

-Hats: 50% of your body heat is lost through your head

-Be Flexible: During the colder months change your schedule so that you are there during warmer hours, or try to work from home if possible. You can also rotate tasks in cooler and warmer workspaces.