Feeling Tired At Work? It Could Be Heat Exhaustion—Signs To Watch Out For (Image Credits: iStock)
If you’ve been feeling unusually tired, dizzy, or weak at work lately, don’t just blame it on a long day or lack of sleep. Health experts say you could actually be experiencing heat exhaustion, a condition that often goes unnoticed—especially during the hot summer months. While it’s usually associated with outdoor workers and athletes, heat exhaustion can affect anyone, including people working in office spaces without proper cooling or ventilation.
What Is Heat Exhaustion?
Heat exhaustion happens when the body overheats due to excessive loss of water and salt through sweating. It’s your body’s way of signalling that it’s struggling to cool down. If left untreated, it can quickly escalate into heatstroke, a potentially life-threatening condition.
“Heat exhaustion is not something to ignore—it’s your body giving you a serious warning,” says Dr Andrew Luks, Professor of Medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine and a researcher in environmental physiology. “The combination of heat and dehydration can lead to significant fatigue, reduced concentration, and physical discomfort.”
Signs You Might Be Ignoring
Here are some key symptoms of heat exhaustion:
Feeling extremely tired or weak
If you experience a combination of these symptoms, it’s important to take action—sit in a cool place, drink water, and rest.
Offices Can Be Heat Traps Too
Even indoor workers can suffer from heat exhaustion, especially in poorly ventilated offices or those with large glass windows that trap heat. “People often think they’re safe indoors, but buildings can retain heat, especially if they lack proper cooling systems,” explains Dr Rebecca Sacks, a public health expert at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Wearing synthetic or tight clothing, skipping hydration, and working long hours without breaks can increase the risk.
Tips to Stay Cool at Work
Here’s how to stay safe and comfortable during hot workdays:
Drink plenty of water – Aim to sip water throughout the day, even if you’re not thirsty.
When to Seek Medical Help
If symptoms don’t improve with rest and hydration, or if you feel faint, confused, or stop sweating altogether, you should seek medical help right away.
“Heat-related illness can escalate quickly,” warns Dr. Aaron Bernstein, Interim Director of the Center for Climate, Health, and the Global Environment at Harvard University. “If someone shows signs of confusion, high body temperature, or stops sweating, it’s a red flag for heatstroke—which is a medical emergency.”
Why It Matters
With global temperatures on the rise, heat exhaustion is becoming more common in workplaces that weren’t previously considered high-risk. It’s not just construction sites and farms—modern office buildings and even remote home setups can become heat traps.
Being aware of the symptoms and taking preventive steps can help avoid serious complications. “Heat illness is preventable,” says Dr Luks. “But people need to be educated about the warning signs and act early.”
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