You can’t control the weather but you can plan for it. Making a few simple preparations can help keep you cool while you work, even as the summer heat sets in.
In this guide, you’ll find practical tips for keeping cool while working outside. We’ll also offer actionable advice for choosing the right apparel to help you beat the heat without sacrificing safety or performance.
1. Prioritize Sun Protection
Even on overcast days, the sun’s UV rays can do serious damage to your skin. Get in the habit of wearing sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30 protection and reapply it every two hours—more often if you’re sweating heavily. You can further protect your skin by wearing long sleeves, a hat, and something to cover your neck like a gaiter.
2. Stay Hydrated
Keeping yourself hydrated helps your body regulate its temperature properly. Make an effort to drink plenty of fluids throughout the day, even if you’re not feeling thirsty. Water is generally the best choice but, depending on how much you’re sweating, you may need to alternate it with electrolyte-rich drinks to help replenish lost salt and minerals.
3. Limit Caffeine Consumption
It may be tempting to load up on caffeine to help you power through the day but excessive caffeine consumption can increase your risk for dehydration. Caffeine is a diuretic that stimulates your body to produce more urine which can lead to fluid loss. If you’re drinking caffeinated beverages, try to balance it with water to maintain hydration.
4. Take Regular Breaks
Regular breaks are essential for avoiding overexertion—it also gives your body time to cool down. When working in hot conditions, take a 10-minute cooling break at least every two hours. In temperatures over 100℉, increase your breaktime to 15 minutes every hour or so.
5. Listen to Your Body
Everyone’s heat tolerance is different, so it’s best to pay attention to your body and listen when it’s telling you it’s time to cool down. If you’re not used to working in the heat, you may need to take breaks more often or pay closer attention to staying hydrated. Avoid overexerting yourself—it’s always best to play it safe and take a break if you start to overheat.
6. Adjust Your Schedule
If your work allows for some flexibility, consider adjusting your schedule to coincide with the cooler parts of the day. This may require you to start work in the early morning, but you’ll be wrapping up as the heat of the day really sets in. In some cases, it may be appropriate to split up your work day between the morning and afternoon, taking a break at midday.
7. Work in the Shade
Even if your schedule doesn’t allow you to decide when to work, you may have some control over the conditions in which you work. If you’re working in a particular area, you might be able to set up a shade tent. If your work spans a larger area, consider whether you’re able to work in the shade and change locations as the day progresses.
8. Use Cooling Devices and Accessories
Sometimes you have no control over where or how you work but, even in such cases, you may be able to utilize personal cooling devices and wearable accessories to help keep yourself cool. Try draping a damp towel over the back of your neck or using a wearable fan. Something as simple as wetting your shirt with cool water could help keep you from overheating.
9. Know the Signs of Heat Exhaustion
As you work, pay attention to your body and be on the lookout for signs of heat exhaustion. If you start sweating excessively or you develop a rapid heartbeat with trouble breathing, it’s time to take a break and cool off. Other signs of heat exhaustion may include faintness, dizziness, and nausea. If your symptoms persist or worsen, seek help.
10. Invest in Cooling Clothes
When you’re working in hot or sunny conditions, choosing proper apparel is key. Lightweight, light-colored clothing is best but the material it’s made from matters just as much. Opt for moisture-wicking materials that help draw sweat away from your skin and offer a cooling benefit as it evaporates.
If you’re in need of some new summer workwear, Fieldsheer Mobile Cooling has you covered. There’s a wide range of options for men and women, including high-visibility and sun protection gear. With short- and long-sleeved options, layering is made easy and there’s no shortage of cooling toppers and accessories like vests, hats, and neck gaiters.
Fieldsheer mobile cooling clothing incorporates advanced fabric technologies to deliver up to 50 UPF protection from the sun’s harmful rays. You’ll also enjoy powerful moisture-wicking and odor-repelling properties to help keep you feeling cool and fresh throughout your work day.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re supervising a construction project or toiling away in your own backyard, outdoor work is sure to have you working up a sweat this summer. The apparel you choose plays a key role in regulating your body temperature, protecting your skin from sun damage, and optimizing your comfort and productivity.
Browse a wide selection of sun protective clothing and moisture-wicking shirts for men and women on Fieldsheer.com. And for more tips on keeping cool this summer, check out the Compass Blog.
10 Ways to Stay Cool While Working Outdoors
You can’t control the weather but you can plan for it. Making a few simple preparations can help keep you cool while you work, even as the summer heat sets in.
In this guide, you’ll find practical tips for keeping cool while working outside. We’ll also offer actionable advice for choosing the right apparel to help you beat the heat without sacrificing safety or performance.
1. Prioritize Sun Protection
Even on overcast days, the sun’s UV rays can do serious damage to your skin. Get in the habit of wearing sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30 protection and reapply it every two hours—more often if you’re sweating heavily. You can further protect your skin by wearing long sleeves, a hat, and something to cover your neck like a gaiter.
2. Stay Hydrated
Keeping yourself hydrated helps your body regulate its temperature properly. Make an effort to drink plenty of fluids throughout the day, even if you’re not feeling thirsty. Water is generally the best choice but, depending on how much you’re sweating, you may need to alternate it with electrolyte-rich drinks to help replenish lost salt and minerals.
3. Limit Caffeine Consumption
It may be tempting to load up on caffeine to help you power through the day but excessive caffeine consumption can increase your risk for dehydration. Caffeine is a diuretic that stimulates your body to produce more urine which can lead to fluid loss. If you’re drinking caffeinated beverages, try to balance it with water to maintain hydration.
4. Take Regular Breaks
Regular breaks are essential for avoiding overexertion—it also gives your body time to cool down. When working in hot conditions, take a 10-minute cooling break at least every two hours. In temperatures over 100℉, increase your breaktime to 15 minutes every hour or so.
5. Listen to Your Body
Everyone’s heat tolerance is different, so it’s best to pay attention to your body and listen when it’s telling you it’s time to cool down. If you’re not used to working in the heat, you may need to take breaks more often or pay closer attention to staying hydrated. Avoid overexerting yourself—it’s always best to play it safe and take a break if you start to overheat.
6. Adjust Your Schedule
If your work allows for some flexibility, consider adjusting your schedule to coincide with the cooler parts of the day. This may require you to start work in the early morning, but you’ll be wrapping up as the heat of the day really sets in. In some cases, it may be appropriate to split up your work day between the morning and afternoon, taking a break at midday.
7. Work in the Shade
Even if your schedule doesn’t allow you to decide when to work, you may have some control over the conditions in which you work. If you’re working in a particular area, you might be able to set up a shade tent. If your work spans a larger area, consider whether you’re able to work in the shade and change locations as the day progresses.
8. Use Cooling Devices and Accessories
Sometimes you have no control over where or how you work but, even in such cases, you may be able to utilize personal cooling devices and wearable accessories to help keep yourself cool. Try draping a damp towel over the back of your neck or using a wearable fan. Something as simple as wetting your shirt with cool water could help keep you from overheating.
9. Know the Signs of Heat Exhaustion
As you work, pay attention to your body and be on the lookout for signs of heat exhaustion. If you start sweating excessively or you develop a rapid heartbeat with trouble breathing, it’s time to take a break and cool off. Other signs of heat exhaustion may include faintness, dizziness, and nausea. If your symptoms persist or worsen, seek help.
10. Invest in Cooling Clothes
When you’re working in hot or sunny conditions, choosing proper apparel is key. Lightweight, light-colored clothing is best but the material it’s made from matters just as much. Opt for moisture-wicking materials that help draw sweat away from your skin and offer a cooling benefit as it evaporates.
If you’re in need of some new summer workwear, Fieldsheer Mobile Cooling has you covered. There’s a wide range of options for men and women, including high-visibility and sun protection gear. With short- and long-sleeved options, layering is made easy and there’s no shortage of cooling toppers and accessories like vests, hats, and neck gaiters.
Fieldsheer mobile cooling clothing incorporates advanced fabric technologies to deliver up to 50 UPF protection from the sun’s harmful rays. You’ll also enjoy powerful moisture-wicking and odor-repelling properties to help keep you feeling cool and fresh throughout your work day.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re supervising a construction project or toiling away in your own backyard, outdoor work is sure to have you working up a sweat this summer. The apparel you choose plays a key role in regulating your body temperature, protecting your skin from sun damage, and optimizing your comfort and productivity.
Browse a wide selection of sun protective clothing and moisture-wicking shirts for men and women on Fieldsheer.com. And for more tips on keeping cool this summer, check out the Compass Blog.