Article Surfing Archive

The cold weather is here and, unfortunately, too many work environments are feeling the chill. Typing with frozen fingers is never fun. Many people drink two cups of coffee in the morning ' not out of exhaustion, but just to keep their digits warm. Whether you are spending your days freezing at your desk or working in a poorly-insulated warehouse cubicle, working in a cold office affects a company's performance.

According to a recent Cornell study, cold employees can cost companies up to 10% more per hour in lost productivity. Raising the temperature to a more comfortable thermal zone saves employers roughly $2 an employee, per hour. However, for most people, working in a cold environment is a normal office experience.

If you sit at a desk for long periods of time, your circulation slows down. The first body parts that get cold are also furthest from your heart, the fingers and toes. Most desk dynamos may never take off their gloves and jackets. Others get caught wearing Snuggies around the office. If your cold office is affecting your productivity (and sanity), use these three tips to staying warm and productive.

1) Improve Circulation

Wiggle your fingers and toes. Do some jumping jacks. Make fists or take short, frequent walks away from your desk. These small movements will improve your blood flow and help you avoid small work-induced problems like carpal tunnel syndrome, headaches, and work-frostbite. You can also improve your circulation by elevating your feet on a foot rest or stool for a short period of time. Once you put them back down, circulation should improve the blood flow to your feet with some fresh oxygen.

2) Limit Caffeine and Tobacco

That second cup of coffee may feel comforting, but caffeine actually constricts blood vessels and only makes your fingers and toes get cold faster. Reduce your caffeine intake at work and try bringing a thermos of hot cider or some other drink that is better for you. Tobacco has the same affect as caffeine, and while most people love to have a cigarette with their coffee, once they feel the chill, it's extremely difficult to warm back up.

3) Bring Your Own Heat

The Vornado' SoleAire' Footrest Fan & Heater fits perfectly under your desk or in front of your favorite chair for cold feet relief. This ingenious electric foot warmer helps warm your feet by allowing direct contact with fan-forced heated air through its surface. Set the SoleAire on high for fast warm-up or low for all day comfort that rises from under your desk and surrounds you in a blanket of warmth.

SoleAire's ergonomic design promotes good posture by elevating your knees above the hips to naturally move the lumbar region of your back into proper curvature and reduce stress on your lower back. Its surface bumps provide passive reflexology while larger bumps along the side allow you to target specific spots on your feet for a deeper foot massage. For added versatility, the SoleAire includes a fan function that allows you to stay cool and use the unit year-round!

Vornado Heaters are different from traditional space heaters. They don't just heat the space directly in front of them, they use Vornado's signature Vortex Technology to quietly create swirling, deep-penetrating currents that disburse heat evenly throughout the room. A Vornado electric heater can warm the entire room in minutes! For more information on Vornado heaters and their dynamic catalog of air circulators, fans, heaters, humidifiers, filters and fans, go to www.vornadocentral.com.