Staying properly hydrated is a key factor of a healthy lifestyle. Since the majority (roughly 60%) of our body weight is made of water, our bodies are reliant on proper hydration to function. Proper hydration ensures that toxins are flushed from the body, as well as aids the travel of key nutrients to cells. While many vital functions rely on the body staying hydrated, proper hydration is also a key factor in improving work performance. Staying hydrated at work improves your performance, reduces stress, and more.
Physical Benefits of Proper Hydration
One of the best benefits of staying properly hydrated at work is that it keeps your energy levels high. This is especially true for those who work outdoors or in conditions that are hot and humid with low ventilation. Also, those that work physically demanding jobs need proper hydration, as sweating increases the risk of dehydration. Both mental and physical work performance suffers if one does not stay hydrated, as dehydration decreases energy levels. Staying properly hydrated improves physical energy and alertness, ensuring that you stay productive throughout the day.
Mental Benefits of Proper Hydration
Not only does proper hydration help mental alertness because it helps you stay physically fresh and alert, but it also helps you stay mentally focused. Since approximately 75% of the human brain is composed of water, proper hydration is essential for mental focus, maintaining proper reaction times, and reducing stress. Proper hydration also helps reduce stress by keeping cortisol at a healthy level. Cortisol is a stress-inducing hormone, so keeping this hormone at a healthy level helps to keep your stress in check. This in turn helps keep you more productive, as stress has been shown to reduce productivity in the workplace. Your mood also improves if you stay hydrated, as staying mentally and physically sharp keeps you confident and in good spirits.
How Much Water Should You Drink?
Experts recommend drinking a minimum of 8–12 cups of water daily, with men needing more than women. Some of this amount can be obtained by foods that have a high water content, such as citrus fruits and apples. One way that someone can tell if they are properly hydrated is the color of their urine. If your urine is dark in color, that is a sign of you are not properly hydrated. Colorless or light yellow urine signals that you are getting enough water.
Tips To Ensure Proper Hydration
Since staying hydrated is essential to good productivity, doing these things daily will ensure you stay hydrated and healthy. First, you should always carry a glass or reusable bottle of water with you whenever possible. Keeping water near you reminds you of the importance of staying hydrated. Plus, the more accessible water is to you, the easier it is to keep hydrated. Another way to help stay hydrated is to make a daily goal of how much water you need to drink and keep a schedule to help stay on track. This will help keep you hydrated all day and improve your work performance and health.
For business owners, it’s important to give your employees access to clean, pure drinking water. The best way to do this without having to deal with large plastic bottles is through a bottleless water cooler. So if you’re looking for water filtration for your office, contact Aqua Chill of Austin to learn how we can help bring better hydration into your workplace.
