AlsAs the UK is going through its fifth heatwave this summer, even corporate employees working in air-conditioned offices are facing its brunt. Many look forward to leaving the sweltering confines of their homes for some much-needed respite in air-conditioned workplaces. But not everyone is able to find relief. AC Becomes Must-Have For Overheated London Offices Temperatures reached 38.1°C at Kew Gardens in west London on August 13, making it the hottest day of the year so far and one of the hottest temperatures ever recorded in the UK. The continually high mercury has exposed a bigger problem for office workers. While some older properties do not have air conditioning, others have systems that cannot withstand high temperatures and have broken down. Those built in the last 20 to 30 years, as most of the buildings in Mayfair, might offer only cooling units and lack adequate mechanical cooling. But those equipped with functioning air conditioners may get comfortable inside the office, cooler air does not remove the need to stay hydrated.Also read: US July Heat Breaks 132-Year Record: UK, France Brace For 5th Heat Wave Of 2026 Sitting In Air-Conditioned Spaces For Long Hours Raises Dehydration Risk Dehydration is often associated with excessive sweating and not drinking enough fluids. One may never comprehend how an office worker sitting inside a cool office could ever be at the risk of getting dehydrated. But here's a grim truth: An office worker is at a much higher risk of dehydration due to various reasons. Dehydration occurs when the body loses more fluid than it takes in. During hot weather, sweating is one of the body's main ways of getting rid of excess heat. Air conditioning lowers the surrounding temperature, which can affect how intensely you feel the heat. But if you have already been sweating during your commute, sitting in a cool room does not automatically replace what your body has lost.Also read: UK, France Brace for Another Heatwave: How Hot Weather Can Affect Medicines Additionally, not drinking enough fluids could further raise the risk as thirt is not always a reliable signal. The UK Health Security Agency advises people to drink regularly throughout hot weather rather than waiting until they feel thirsty. It also recommends replacing fluids and electrolytes when sweating heavily. The signs and symptoms of dehydration are also easy to miss as they don't present in traditional ways with sweating, dry mouth, dizziness, and more. In an office, it shows up in a subtle manner. For example, a dull headache that gets dismissed as a side effect of prolonged gazing at screens, trouble concentrating that gets addressed with more caffeine and fatigue that is most likely to be neglected. How To Stay Hydrated During A Heatwave? One of the most straightforward ways to stay hydrated in an office during heatwaves is to drink water and other fluids regularly throughout the day. UKHSA recommends drinking more fluids than usual in hot weather and considering rehydration drinks if you are sweating heavily. The urge to gulp down multiple cups of coffee while working is persistent. But limiting excessive caffeine and alcohol can also help as they may contribute to fluid loss. With repeated heatwaves becoming the top highlight of British summers, staying cool and staying hydrated need to go hand in hand in order to avoid getting dehydrated.