Being stuck in the office in the summer can be rough. However, there are a few things you can do to make your office-bound summer more tolerable—like reading the Summer Office Survival Guide, brought to you in celebration of the ultimate summer treat, the Starbucks Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino. Read on for tips on how to make it through the work week until you can get outside and start enjoying the sweatiest of seasons.
Light Up
Like a delicate flower, you need ample daylight to grow healthy and happy. Unfortunately, if you're stuck in a 9-5, your chances of getting adequate sun are pretty slim. But there is a light at the end of the cubicle! A full spectrum desk lamp can help reduce the mood-altering effects of being trapped indoors.
Make Friends, Not Copies
Work friends are great asset. They cover for you when you need to sneak out, they have an endless supply of gum, and they'd never ever mention that one thing that happened at the company barbecue. Yet, it can be hard to create an initial bond in a buttoned-up environment. Try connecting over a shared love of stupid animal GIFs, or a stellar playlist, or your boss' inane email signature—you know, anything but actual work.
Call in Sick
Don't go to work tomorrow. Try it! It feels amazing. Turn off your computer, ditch your phone, and get outside. The office-world will continue to spin for 24 hours without you. However, if you are going to play hooky, try to be considerate of your cooped-up coworkers, ok? That means avoid going M.I.A. on a Friday or a Monday, don't make unnecessary Foursquare check-ins, and if you come back bragging about your tan lines, you deserve to be hit with a million rubberband missiles.
The ultimate tip for surviving the summer? Set your Gchat status to "busy", sneak out while everyone is in a meeting, and wander on down to Starbucks to try the new Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino—a blend of mocha sauce, Frappuccino Chips, Starbucks' signature Frappuccino Roast Coffee, fresh milk, and ice, all topped with chocolaty whipped cream and covered with chocolate cookie crumbles. That ought to make your summer a little better.