By now, most of us should be aware that proper hydration is hugely important for our overall health, and yet it can still be very difficult to maintain the recommended levels. For many of us, life simply gets in the way, and we can find ourselves either forgetting to drink, or drinking the wrong things.

One of the worst places for this is at work. We become so focused on our tasks and deadlines, that we often do not hydrate ourselves properly, but this can be a huge mistake. Hydration at work can be massively important, so in this article, Workplace Refreshments take a detailed look at the role that it can play.

Cognitive function

We all know what it feels like to not be firing on all cylinders, but did you know that your hydration levels might be playing a part in this?

Our cognitive function is directly affected by the amount of water that we drink. This means that it can impact things like concentration, decision making and problem solving. If these areas are suffering, then it is likely to have a big impact on the work that you do.

Ensuring that you stay fully hydrated throughout the day can help to make your brain much sharper, making tasks easier and the day better.

Energy levels

When we feel tired or lethargic, we tend to reach for a cup of coffee, but in most cases, water might be the best option. If your body is properly hydrated, then it is more likely to stay alert throughout the day, and you can avoid those slumps that we all start to experience as the day goes on.

Productivity

When our brains are suffering and our energy levels are low, then it stands to reason that we will not be as productive at work as we should be. By ensuring that we have good levels of hydration all through the day, we can make sure that we are performing at our best. That means our jobs will not only be done quicker, but better too, leading to a much more productive day at work.

Physical health

Good levels of hydration do not just benefit our brains, it can help our bodies too. When we are dehydrated, we can experience a number of problems, such as headaches, confusion, dizziness, weakness and fatigue.

If this becomes a long-term issue, then it can go on to cause problems with our kidneys, urinary tract issues, blood pressure problems and heart rate. It is therefore important to stay hydrated at all times to keep ourselves healthy and to avoid unnecessary time off sick.

Accidents and injuries

You might wonder how hydration can help to prevent accidents and injuries, but this all stems back to our cognitive functions. If things like concentration, alertness and decision-making functions have been impaired, then we are more likely to make mistakes. This can take the form of trips and falls, or even injuries involving machinery and equipment. Good hydration helps to minimise some of these risks and can keep us a little bit safer whilst at work.

Mental health

We all know how important it is to look after our mental health, and hydration can form a part of this. When dehydrated, we can easily become irritable and stress levels can be increased. In addition to this, we can experience mood swings that can become difficult to control. When this is combined with a high-pressure work environment, it can have a serious detrimental effect on our mental health, and so staying hydrated can make it easier to manage our moods and give our mental health a boost.

How much water should you drink at work?

Now that we understand how crucial hydration at work can be, it is important to understand what this should look like. Very few of us know how much we should be drinking, and this can be part of the reason that we end up not drinking enough.

There are general guidelines that state we should be aiming to drink around eight glasses of water per day, although this will vary according to your age, sex, activity level and the climate. This means that you should be drinking water consistently throughout the day, as this is where we tend to spend most of our time.

To make sure that you are getting the right amount of water, set yourself a number of cups that you need to drink in a certain time period, or get a water bottle with the measurements clearly marked to remind yourself of how much you still need to drink.

It is a common misconception that drinking any liquid will help you to hydrate, but this is not actually the case. In fact, some drinks, like coffee, are diuretics which increase your urine production. This means that you are encouraging your body to excrete fluids, which can be counterproductive. Whilst a cup of coffee or two is not going to make you dehydrated, it does help to show that drinking water is still the best way to give your body the optimum hydration.

Drinking water at work

Many people do not drink enough water at work because it is not easily accessible. Tap water is often not cold enough or has an unpleasant taste, and so many people are put off drinking it. Having water coolers placed throughout a workplace can be one way to tackle this. It ensures that there is always cool, fresh water on tap, allowing people to top up cups, bottles and glasses whenever they need to.

It can also be beneficial to ensure that any vending machines at work contain bottled water, to ensure that it is readily available at break times too.

Workplace hydration is often a subject that is overlooked, but it is incredibly important. By paying attention to how much we drink while we are at work, we can give our bodies and minds a huge boost and take some big steps towards keeping ourselves healthy.