The thermometer in Plaza del Sol could be used to fry an egg and the air in the street weighs like a lead blanket. Yes, friends, that time of year in Madrid has arrived: the heat wave. That time when your main goal is not to close that big project, but to survive the commute from your house to the metro without becoming a sweat map.
Working from home sounds idyllic until your laptop starts to smoke, the fan only moves hot air from one side to the other and your electricity bill for the air conditioning gives you cold sweats of a different kind. Trying to concentrate becomes mission impossible. Productivity melts faster than an ice cream on Gran Via at four in the afternoon.
But what if we told you that you don’t have to give up? As experts in creating perfect working environments, we know that it’s possible to not only survive but thrive during Madrid’s heat wave. Here are 10 tried-and-tested tricks to keep your head cool and your productivity sky-high.
1. Hydration is your new religion (and coffee doesn’t count).
It seems obvious, but it’s the number one mistake. When you’re concentrating, you forget to drink water. And no, that fifth cup of coffee doesn’t hydrate, quite the opposite. Mild dehydration already causes fatigue, lack of concentration and headaches.
The trick: Keep a large, cold bottle of water on your desk at all times. Set alarms if necessary. Add slices of lemon, cucumber or mint to make it more palatable. Think of it as the premium fuel your brain needs to stay cool in the hot sun.
The Ibercenter plus: Imagine having unlimited access to filtered and chilled water fountains, and the option of a coffee break service that includes fresh juices and soft drinks without you having to lift a finger. At our centres, hydration is part of the service, not just another task on your list.
2. Dress for success… thermal edition
We know image is important, especially if you’re an executive or a lawyer who needs to project professionalism. But trying to wear a wool suit in the middle of July is a recipe for disaster.
The trick: choose natural, breathable fabrics like linen, cotton or viscose. Light colours reflect light and warmth. If you have an important meeting, you can take your jacket or blazer and put it on just before you go in. The key is strategy.
The Ibercenter plus: The best part of working in a space like ours in Azca or Velázquez? The environment is perfectly air-conditioned. You can dress impeccably and professionally without fearing the first drop of sweat. You’ll project the image you want because you’ll feel comfortable and cool, not because you’re wearing inappropriate attire for the heat wave.
3. Adopt summertime (for real)
Madrid in summer has its own rhythm. The city slows down at midday and revives at sunset, so why should your working day be an exception?
The trick: If your job allows it, adapt your schedule. Start working earlier, take advantage of the coolness of the morning for the most demanding tasks, take a longer break during the hottest hours (from 14:00 to 17:00) and, if necessary, resume work in the afternoon-evening. This is the secret of Mediterranean productivity.
The Ibercenter plus: Flexibility is our middle name. For entrepreneurs, freelancers or digital nomads, who do not follow a traditional 9 to 5, or for expanding teams working in different time zones, our centres with 24/7 access are the perfect ally to adapt work to your life (and temperature), and not the other way around.
4. Find your own air-conditioned “oasis” (and no, the freezer section of the supermarket doesn’t work).
Your house has become an oven. The coffee shop on the corner is crowded, the Wi-Fi is unstable, and the air conditioning is a lottery. You need a refuge, a place where the only heat you feel is the heat of your passion for your work.
The trick: Find a third space. A library, a cultural centre… or, the smartest option, a professional workspace. A place designed for concentration, with a stable and pleasant temperature throughout the day.
The Ibercenter plus: This is, literally, what we do. Our centres in Azca, Gran Vía and Velázquez are air-conditioned oases in the middle of boiling pavement. Not only do we guarantee you a perfect temperature, but also silence, ergonomics and an atmosphere that invites you to concentrate. Forget the noise of the fan and the dripping of home air conditioning.
5. Your technology also suffers from the heat wave
Have you noticed that your computer is slowing down, that the internal fan sounds like the turbine of a plane about to take off? Extreme heat affects the performance of your devices, can cause unexpected crashes and shorten their lifespan.
The trick: Make sure your laptop has good ventilation. Don’t use it on a bed or a cushion. Use cooling pads and clean the internal fans regularly. And pray that your router doesn’t decide to take a holiday from overheating in the middle of an important video call.
The Ibercenter plus: In our offices, the technology infrastructure is designed for maximum performance. Temperature control not only benefits you, but also your equipment. In addition, our high-speed, fibre-optic internet connection is robust and stable, heatwave-proof and critical meeting-proof. For a growing company or a remote consultant, this reliability is not a luxury, it’s a necessity.
6. Plan smart, cool meetings
Bringing an important client across Madrid at 3pm in the middle of a heat wave for a meeting is almost a declaration of war. They will arrive hot, uncomfortable and probably less receptive to your proposal.
The trick: Use technology to your advantage. Propose a video call for topics that do not require physical presence. If a face-to-face meeting is essential, schedule it in the early morning or late afternoon. And, of course, choose a location that is easily accessible and guarantees a fresh and professional welcome.
The Ibercenter plus: This is where we shine. For example, our client, a lawyer in the Barrio de Salamanca, welcoming his clients in one of our elegant meeting rooms in Velázquez, with perfect air conditioning and a glass of cold water waiting, completely changes the perception. For companies in Azca, our rooms equipped with the latest videoconferencing technology allow you to close deals with the other side of the world without leaving the financial heart of Madrid.
7. Digitise as much as possible: paper gets hot
It may sound strange, but handling papers, filing cabinets and physical documents in hot weather is sticky and uncomfortable. Plus, it forces you to have storage space which, in a flat in Madrid, is gold.
The trick: Take advantage of the summer to make that digital transition you’ve been putting off for a long time. Use cloud-based tools to manage documents, invoices and projects. Your desk will be clearer and so will your mind.
The Ibercenter plus: Our virtual office service is the ultimate expression of this trick. For professionals, we offer a prestigious tax address in Velázquez without the need for a physical space. We manage your correspondence and parcels, so you can work from anywhere in the world (preferably with air conditioning) while your business maintains an impeccable and professional image in one of the best areas of Madrid.
8. Encourage networking without dehydration
Summer networking events can be an endurance test. Crowded terraces, inadequately ventilated venues? You end up more concerned with finding shade than making valuable contacts.
The trick: Look for events in indoor, well-ventilated spaces, or propose one-to-one meetings in controlled locations. The quality of conversation increases exponentially when you’re not fighting the heat.
The Ibercenter plus: At our Gran Via centre, we foster a vibrant, multicultural community. We organise networking events and activities in our cool and comfortable common areas. It’s the perfect place to connect with other international professionals without having to suffer the rigours of the Madrid summer.
9. Active breaks are now “cool breaks”.
When the heat gets hot, the temptation is to stand still. But lack of movement atrophies the mind. You need breaks, but they must be smart ones.
The trick: Instead of going outside, get up, stretch your legs, go for a cold glass of water or simply change the atmosphere in your workspace. A few minutes of “fresh disconnection” can recharge your batteries for the next round of work.
The Ibercenter plus: Our centres are designed with common areas, meeting points, kitchens and rest areas that invite these breaks. You can have a coffee in the kitchen, have a chat with another professional on a comfortable sofa or simply move from your office chair to an armchair in a more relaxed area. All within the same air-conditioned oasis.
10. Free your mind from logistical stress
The heat wave is not only a physical challenge, but also a mental one. Worrying about the electricity bill, worrying about whether the delivery driver will arrive in the off-peak hours, worrying about the Wi-Fi failing? All this mental burden consumes precious energy that you could be devoting to your business.
The trick: Delegate, automate and simplify. Focus on what really matters: your work, your customers, your growth. Look for solutions that take space management off your hands so that you can focus on strategy.
The Ibercenter plus: This is our big secret. The definitive solution. It is the sum of all the previous tricks. When you choose Ibercenter, you don’t just choose an office or a meeting room. You choose not to worry.
- For executives and expanding companies in Azca: what you get is a premium office in the financial heart of Madrid, fully equipped and with all services included. No initial investment, no suppliers to manage, no worries about maintenance or air conditioning. All you have to do is arrive, plug in your laptop and get to work. Your team and your clients will enjoy a professional and representative environment, heat wave proof.
- For freelancers or digital nomads in Gran Via: You get maximum flexibility in an international environment in the heart of the city centre. Guaranteed high-speed internet connection, a community to connect with and the freedom to enjoy Madrid without work being a problem. An inspiring and comfortable space where ideas flow as fresh as the air conditioning.
- For an independent lawyer in Velázquez: You project an image of prestige and solvency with an address in the Barrio de Salamanca and access to spectacular meeting rooms when you need them. You reduce your fixed costs to a minimum without sacrificing professionalism. It’s the smartest way to have the best of a luxury office, only when you need it.
Conclusion: Don’t let your business melt down
The heat wave in Madrid is inevitable, but the drop in your productivity doesn’t have to be. With these tips, you can turn the situation around and make summer as productive as any other season.
And if you’re looking for the ultimate solution, the one that encompasses all these tips and frees you up to focus on growing, you know where to find us. At Ibercenter, we have created the perfect ecosystem so that your only concern is the success of your business, come rain, snow or 40 degrees in the shade.
Stop sweating over your office logistics and start seeing your results grow.
Want to see for yourself?
Contact us and come and visit your future oasis of productivity in Madrid.
