One of the biggest parts of thermal comfort is knowing your body and your office. Take stock of where you feel thermally uncomfortable in your workspace. Knowing your body means knowing to wearing layers or bringing extra sweaters to throw on throughout the day. Try being more active too. Even if you’re feeling extra hot, standing up for a moment and stretching is great for your circulation and helps your body regulate your body temperature by controlling the blood within your body and how close it gets to your skin. It can be awkward to bring in space heaters or electric blankets or ice packs, so don’t forget about eating and drinking.

Have a cold or hot beverage when you need it. Keeping your blood sugar at a healthy level keeps your body from becoming too hot or too cold. Watch your caffeine and sugar intake. These also can cause your body to become too hot or too cold throughout the day. Since caffeine and sugar both peak, then crash, you might go from hot to cold very quickly.

Obviously, you’re not all going to have the same definition of thermal comfort. But also don’t let your respect of your co-workers keep you from being comfortable. Try bringing in a space heater or a fan, but do your best on keeping it within your space. Don’t be afraid to bring items in that make you comfortable. If you’re struggling with your thermal comfort, you can bet your co-workers are too. Have a discussion and see if there’s any collaborative DIY improvements you can make to your space. If your space is too cold or too hot, take a break. If there’s another space you can work in, go and work there. Your productivity will soar when you’re no longer uncomfortable.

You might shutter at the thought of a humid office, but it is healthier to have a somewhat humid space. Yes, molds and other allergens grow in moisture, but bacteria and viruses find their home in dry air. That’s something to remember in the winter, if you live in a cold, snowy state. In the colder months, you know by how often you need hand lotion, so you also know that the air is a lot dryer. Don’t forget about the amazing inventions of humidifiers and dehumidifiers. These will help you find a great balance for your office. These are perfect for any season, so you can adjust them at any day and at anytime.

Some offices have up-to-date heating and cooling systems that are structured by different spaces within the office, letting control differ depending where the space is, and who is in it. Today, there are multiple apps that allow coworkers to control the temperature on their phones. Each work differently, but ultimately strive for a happy place for everyone within the office. Talk to your office about one of these apps to see if it might be a great solution for you. Consult a professional to learn more about these apps and HVAC systems.

If you have a east-side facing office, it can get pretty warm with that morning sun blazing in. If allowed to, try bringing in blinds or curtains to control the light and warmth. Modern offices love to inhabit old warehouse spaces that might have some pretty big drafts. If you’ve ever been in an old space, you know how drafty and cold it can get..

At this point, it might be too late to go back and change the windows and insulation, but don’t lose hope. Even in a drafty space that becomes ridiculously difficult to regulate temperature, you’re definitely not the first to run into this problem. Even if you can’t get your office to get a completely new heating and cooling system, there are professionals who can give you knowledge and help you get your space to a better level of thermal comfort.