It’s common knowledge that the majority of our body weight is made up of water – about 60% to be precise. The human body is heavily reliant on water to function properly as it helps carry nutrients to body cells and flush out toxins from vital organs. But what are the Benefits Of Drinking Water At Work?
What a lot of people don’t know, however, is that drinking water (in addition to keeping you alive) also makes you more productive at work! “How?” you ask.
Reasons to stay hydrated at work
Other than improving your general well-being, keeping hydrated at work helps you to be more productive in the following ways:
- Increased energy. Dehydration causes weakness and fatigue which will make you very sluggish and devoid of the mental and physical energy you require to work. Dehydration is especially common in jobs that require a lot of movement which causes sweating. Drinking water regularly during your workday ensures that you feel fresh and energised for improved productivity.
- Improved brain function. The human brain is about 75% water which means that dehydration has a direct effect on its functionality. Effects of dehydration on your brain include decreased alertness, slower reaction times, and reduced attention spans. Keeping hydrated ensures that your brain is firing on all cylinders for maximum effectiveness.
- Reduced stress. Keeping hydrated ensures that your cortisol levels (a stress-inducing hormone) are kept within a healthy range. When you are stressed in the workplace, you are not only unproductive but can also reduce the productivity of others by hindering collaboration and teamwork.
- Improved mood. Even slight dehydration will affect your mood which could create the perception of certain tasks being more difficult than they actually are. Drinking adequate water will ensure your mood is good for work effectiveness and good relations with workmates.
- Fewer You can’t get any work done if you have a splitting headache. Dehydration reduces blood and oxygen flow to the brain which results in headaches and migraines that will keep you from performing at your optimum.
How Much water should you drink?
The institute of medicine recommends that you nourish your body with 2 – 3 litres of water daily with men being required to drink more than their female counterparts. This sounds like a lot of water, but some of this water will come from the foods we eat such as fruits, vegetables and beverages.
You can tell if you’re getting adequate water if you hydrate enough that you rarely feel thirsty and the colour of your urine is light yellow to colourless in colour. Darker and more aromatic urine will indicate that you are not consuming enough water.
Tips to ensure you drink enough water
Drinking water is something that stays out of our minds until we get thirsty – and by then you are already dehydrated. Use the following tips to ensure your body is always hydrated.
- Carry water with you. The closer water is to you, the more likely you are to drink it. Keep a water bottle with you wherever you go.
- Set goals. Determine the amount of water you would like to drink per day and make a simple schedule for drinking it. You can set reminders if you suspect you’ll forget.
- Infuse your water with herbs, fruits or vegetables. Water is not the tastiest of beverages. Adding a bit of flavour will make it easier and more rewarding to consume.
