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The other day, the sun was out, the sky was a perfect shade of blue, and the last place I wanted to be was stuck inside. So, rather than battling the glare of my office screen, I grabbed my laptop and headed to the park. Sat on a bench, with a coffee in one hand and my inbox open in the other, I realised something this is how work should feel. The warm breeze, the gentle hum of people enjoying their day, and the fresh air made even the most mundane emails seem less of a chore.
It got me thinking: why do we force ourselves to sit at the same desk, in the same room, every single day, when a simple change of scenery can make us feel so much better? Warm weather does not just brighten up our streets; it transforms the way we work, talk to each other, and feel about our jobs.
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The Mood Lift That Comes with Sunshine
There is something about the first proper warm day of the year that makes everything feel lighter. People smile more, they take their time over their lunch, and suddenly, work does not feel quite as heavy.
Science backs this up. Research from ICIS shows that natural light has a direct impact on our mood, boosting serotonin levels (our brain’s happy chemical). Offices with plenty of daylight tend to have happier, more engaged employees, and it makes sense who would not prefer a bit of sun over harsh fluorescent lighting?
I have noticed it myself. On grey, miserable days, everyone rushes around, heads down, shoulders hunched. But when the sun’s shining? People stop and chat, grab a coffee together, or even suggest finishing a meeting outside.
Conversations Feel More Relaxed
Ever noticed how on a warm day, work conversations feel… easier? Whether it is a casual chat while grabbing a cold drink or a walking meeting in the sun, the usual stiffness of office life starts to disappear.
The BBC recently reported on how warm weather puts people in a more sociable mood, and that definitely applies in the workplace. When we feel good, we are more open to chatting, sharing ideas, and enjoying the company of our colleagues.
I remember walking back from the park after my outdoor work session and bumping into an old colleague. Normally, we would exchange the usual, “How’s work? Yes, busy as ever.” But instead, we had a proper chat, caught up on what we were working on, and even produced a few ideas for a project. It was effortless because we were not stuck in the usual office mindset.
Work Feels Less Like a Chore
That afternoon in the park, I realised I was getting through my emails without the usual mental resistance. It was the fresh air, it was the novelty of working somewhere different, but tasks that usually felt draining were suddenly flowing with ease.
When work feels enjoyable, it stops feeling like a daily battle. It is why businesses that embrace flexible work whether that’s remote days, outdoor spaces, or just a bit of leeway in start and finish times often find that their employees are happier, more creative, and more productive.
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Letting People Work How They Work Best
If we know that warm weather makes us happier, why do so many workplaces act like it is just another day?
Companies like Virgin get this they offer flexible summer hours, letting employees start earlier and finish earlier to make the most of the sunshine. It is a simple change that makes a dramatic difference. No one’s clock-watching, desperate to leave before the sun sets. Instead, people enjoy their workday, knowing they will have time to soak up the last of the evening warmth.
Imagine a world where:
✅ You could swap your desk for a shady park bench when you needed a change of scene.
✅ Meetings happened on a short walk rather than a lifeless boardroom.
✅ Employees could work when they’re at their most productive, rather than just filling hours for the sake of it.
It is not some far-fetched idea it is simply good business sense. Happy employees work better, and warm weather is a free, natural way to make that happen.
A lot of offices still treat breaks like some kind of luxury, but getting outside for even ten minutes can completely change how we feel.
I once worked somewhere that had a tiny rooftop garden, and on warm days, it became the social hub of the office. People would take their coffee up there, have impromptu catchups, and even bring their laptops out to work. The atmosphere was completely different from the usual office space it felt more open, more creative, and much more relaxed.
Walking meetings are another game-changer. There is something about being outside, moving, and breathing fresh air that helps ideas flow more naturally. Some of my best conversations have happened while strolling around, not staring at a screen.
A lot of businesses still equate being at a desk with being productive even though we all know that is not how it works.
If you have ever sat in an office at 4:30 on a Friday, watching the clock and pretending to be busy, you will know exactly what I mean.
Warm weather reminds us that work should be about results, not hours logged. Some people do their best work first thing in the morning, others in the evening. Some need quiet, some thrive in a social space. The best businesses trust their employees to work in the way that suits them best and funnily enough, those are the businesses with happier, more loyal teams.
That afternoon in the park was not just a positive change it was a wake-up call. It reminded me that work does not have to feel like a rigid, lifeless routine.
When businesses embrace warm weather by offering flexibility, encouraging outdoor breaks, and trusting people to work in their own way they create an environment where employees do not just get through the day, they enjoy it.
So, it is time to rethink the way we work. Less rigidity, more freedom. Fewer pointless meetings, more fresh air.
Because at the end of the day, a happy workplace is not about strict rules it is about people feeling good about their work and the way they do it.
And sometimes, that means sending emails from a park bench, coffee in hand, enjoying the warmth of the sun. ☀️
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