5 Tips for Staying Warm When Your Office Isn't

Typing with cold fingers is no fun. You probably know the drill: whoever has the keys to the tightly-locked thermostat controls grew up somewhere north of the Arctic Circle, and has little sympathy for people like you, shivering away at your computer. You get your morning coffee because it keeps your hands warm and less for the taste. You know there are fingers on your hands because you can see them (now, if you could only feel them!).

Too melodramatic? Maybe - but cold employees can cost employers up to 10% more per hour per employee. Whether you spend your days freezing at a desk or working in an un-insulated (and barely heated) warehouse, you know how much trying to type with numb fingers can cut into your productivity. How many times have you had to go back and correct an error or retype a sentence because your fingers just wouldn't work as fast as your mind? According to a study by Cornell University, workers with cold fingers and toes worked more slowly and made more than twice as many keyboarding errors.

Unfortunately, cold fingers and toes are just a part of the normal office experience for many people. Before you consider bringing a pair of gloves to work, try the following tips.

5 Tips for Staying Warm When Your Office Isn't

When you sit for long periods of time, your circulation slows down. The first place this shows up, of course, is the furthest place from your heart: your fingers and toes. The trick to staying warm at work

Following a few simple tips throughout the day should help you stay productive (and warm!) at work:

1) Make fists and wiggle your toes. Even this small movement will help the blood flow to your fingers and toes.

2) Take short, frequent walks. This is a good habit to get into even if you're not cold. By getting away from your computer screen and walking around, you significantly reduce your chances of developing a variety of work-induced problems ranging from eyestrain headaches to carpal tunnel syndrome, plus the added boost to your heart rate will keep you alert. . . and warm! You can even download a free timer here.

3) Don't wear tight shoes. Ladies are especially vulnerable to this one. Even if they're "super cute," leave those tight shoes at home, or at least take them off while you're at your desk. Tight shoes keep the blood from flowing to your toes.

4) Limit your caffeine intake. Caffeine constricts blood vessels, which only makes your fingers and toes get cold faster.

5) Can't spend your days wandering around the parking lot? Try a heated keyboard, mat or footrest (you'll need to take off those tight shoes), or a radiant panel! These are far better alternatives to space heaters. Space heaters are frequently banned from offices, because they are blatant fire hazards and huge energy wasters. On the other hand, a heated keyboard, footrest or radiant panel uses a tiny fraction of the electricity, and are about as likely to start a fire as your mouse! They also work great for use in non-insulated work areas, such as warehouses.