It’s summertime, and for many industries that means that things happen at a slower pace. Decision makers take vacation, contracts stall, sales take longer to complete. The warmer days allow for more leisure, but the sluggish pace of doing business can be unnerving.

Here are some ideas for keeping things fresh even if your office seems quiet:

1) Add depth to some of your business relationships

Contact those customers or business associates that you normally interact with virtually, and invite them to meet in person for an ice coffee, breakfast or lunch.

2) Complete a short-term project with long-term benefits

Design a new package or product; create a fresh web page, brand image, or social media presence; learn a new skill that will enhance your career.

3) If you feel restless inside, create an excuse for being outside

Organize or attend an outdoor networking event. Invite your favorite business associates to a game, a movie, or an outdoor café.

4) If everyone is on vacation, take the hint and plan your own

Even if you can only afford a few days off, give yourself a true break and chill.

Okay. I’ve done this and I’m guessing you have, too. I’ve lost my temper at work. In my case, it was a telephone company, and I ended up screaming at the technician who came to fix our system, which had broken down for the third time. I must say that he handled me beautifully. Still, I felt embarrassed, overheated, and a little ridiculous afterwards.

What do we do after blowing a fuse at work? It’s tempting to justify what ever the incident was that triggered the irate response. Yet, we lose credibility and respect if we’re considered someone who rages without remorse. Even if the outburst is justified, it’s worth addressing the effect you had on others later.

Here’s my suggestion: If you blow up, first cool down. Do something to release the hot energy and calm your nerves. Next, make amends to the people who absorbed your fury. In my case, I contacted the telephone technician the following day and apologized for my behavior. If it’s colleagues you lambasted, tell them you apologize (not for what you said) for the tone and volume of your message.

Going forward, take better care of yourself and notice when your system is heating up. Angry outbursts don’t happen out of thin air. They accumulate. So use this incident as a lesson in prevention – see what sparked the fire initially, and take steps to reduce the heat earlier in the game.

Ever notice how irritating other people’s behavior can be in the heat of summer? When someone jumps in front of you in a line or pushes you into an elevator, or cuts you off in traffic, it can be very tempting to blow a fuse.

Similarly, when someone acts in a rude, obnoxious or inconsiderate manner at work, you may want to strike back by yelling, chiding or otherwise telling them off.

While a quick blow up may release steam in the moment, losing your cool at work is generally not recommended. You don’t want to risk looking volatile or unprofessional or out of control.

The next time someone really ticks you off, try to hit the pause button. Take a mental time out, and then find a way to release the anger physically, through exercise, deep breathing, or splashing cold water on your face.

Once you’ve cooled down, then you can consider whether the incident is worth addressing from a cool, collected position on your part. The key is to use your anger constructively — to draw a line or communicate a boundary. Don’t let it set you on fire.