The importance of staying hydrated during the summer months is definitely burned into our brains. We have been told this constantly since childhood. But how many times have you been told that staying hydrated is also important at work?
Even if you spend your work hours inside in an air-conditioned office space, staying hydrated is something that needs to stay at the top of your to-do list. It is one of the most important things we can do regarding our health.
Benefits of Proper Hydration
When you are properly hydrated, your metabolism will get a nice boost, and it can go a long way in reducing daytime fatigue. When you become dehydrated, you may experience more frequent headaches, a decreased memory, and it may even prove to cause your work productivity to suffer as well.
If you are sitting at work and you feel thirsty, then it is too late. You are already dehydrated and in some desperate need of water.
How Much Water Per Day?
When determining how much water you should be drinking per day, it is easiest to think of it as drinking half your body weight in ounces per day. For example, if you weigh 140 pounds, then you should be drinking approximately 70 ounces of water per day. This comes out to be around 8 cups or so.
The 8x8 rule, or 8 glasses of water a day rule, while never actually confirmed, is still something many people continue to follow.
The same applies if you find yourself sitting in an air-conditioned office on the computer all day or you work outdoors or are planning on running a marathon. While at work, make sure to have your water handy so you can sip on it throughout the day.
But what can you do if you find that your day becomes busy and hectic and you forget about your water intake?
Below you will find a few tips on how to stay hydrated at work.
Keep a Bottle of Water Near You
If you have your water within reach and it is visible, it is much easier to remember to grab it and sip on it. If you have an office job and you are at your desk most of the day, this is especially easy to do. Not only will it help you with headaches you may be experiencing but staying hydrated can also help reduce any eye strain you may have as well.
When on a job site, it might be a little harder to remember, but every time you take that break, make sure your water is in your hand.
Hydration Breaks
Which brings us to taking hydration breaks. On your break, make sure to sip and enjoy your water and take some time to unwind and gear up to finish off the day. After your hydration break, you will find it will be much easier to concentrate and focus.
The Importance of Staying Hydrated
There are several reasons to stay hydrated throughout the day. We have included some of those reasons below:
Keeps You Healthy
When you get dehydrated, you may experience lethargy, joint pain, the inability to concentrate, and nausea and vomiting. If you suffer from any combination of these things, then you know that it can make for a very long and taxing day at work.
Affects Your Mood
When you don't drink enough water at work, it can also have a negative impact on your overall mood. If you are feeling irritable, being dehydrated can make this even worse. When this happens, the work environment probably won't be the most pleasant place to be either.
Crave Less Sugary Drinks
When you choose water and staying hydrated at work, it is a good idea to keep your water in close proximity; it makes it much easier for you to pass on those overly sugary drinks like soda. Just like with dehydration, you can also experience some negative health effects when you consume too much sugar.
For this reason, workplaces should have an office water cooler that is easily accessible. It will keep everyone hydrated and make it easier to thwart temptation when it comes to break time, and the vending machines are glaring at you.
Not a Fan of Water?
But what do you do if you aren't a fan of plain, flat water? Sparkling water is another option and can keep you just as hydrated as regular water. If you are trying to eliminate the sugary sodas from your diet, this is also a good way to give you that carbonation and those bubbles you want without all that added sugar.
Our bodies are approximately 60 percent water. During the day, we are constantly losing water through urine and sweat which can lead us to become dehydrated rather quickly if we don't have water to sip on throughout the day.
So, whether you choose plain, flat water or bubbly sparkling water, you are doing your health a favor when you stay hydrated at work.
