Most employees rely on coffee to stay awake and productive throughout the day. But did you know there’s a way to prevent sluggishness and energy dips without caffeine? Any drowsiness you experience right before lunch or in the middle of the afternoon is most likely brought on by dehydration.
When your total body water level drops, your body doesn’t have enough water to carry out its healthy functions. Dehydration due to water loss begins to set in at this point. Dry mouth, dry skin, cramps in the muscles, fatigue, lightheadedness, and confusion are a few of the symptoms of water dehydration.
How can you stop this? Consume more water! Find out more about the benefits of staying hydrated for your health and productivity at work and how to make sure you drink enough water throughout the day.
Stimulates Brain Function
Mild dehydration has been linked to mood, memory, and cognitive function changes. According to a study in the Journal of Nutrition, even a dehydration level of 1.4 caused headaches, poorer concentration, a greater sense of task difficulty, and a worsened mood. This is a common dehydration symptom that is often overlooked.
Stay hydrated by drinking one or two glasses of water per hour if your job requires you to be sedentary for the majority of the day. If your job requires you to stand up and move around for long periods or if you work outside in warmer weather, consider drinking more water to compensate for water lost through excessive perspiration or fluid loss. Drink eight glasses of water daily, but that may not be all your body needs to stay hydrated.
Regulates Blood Pressure
Because plasma contains roughly 90% water, severe dehydration can result in the blood that is more concentrated and depleted of the electrolytes necessary for healthy heart and muscle function. Electrolytes generate energy and enable your body to function properly. Furthermore, drinking plenty of water helps balance blood volume and blood pressure, reducing feelings of lightheadedness or dizziness.
If you spend most of your day sitting at a desk, schedule water breaks with some time to stand up and stretch or take a short walk around the block. Combining the two activities can help you remember to drink more water and exercising to lower your blood pressure.
Fighting Daytime Fatigue
Fatigue is a leading sign of water dehydration. Productivity typically suffers when you’re tired. Relying on sugary or caffeinated beverages to maintain your energy levels at work can result in crashes later in the day. Maintaining a healthy level of hydration will help you fight fatigue.
Also, avoid eating salty snacks like chips or other salty foods because they can make you feel sluggish and heavy. Instead, increase your water consumption by grabbing hydrating snacks like cucumber slices or a bowl of yogurt with granola on top. Your mental performance will be enhanced, and your level of productivity will increase if you eat foods high in nutrients rather than salt and fat. Additionally, this will aid in maintaining healthy body weight.
Cleanses the Body of Toxins
Drinking water also helps maintain a healthy immune system and helps your body eliminate toxins. Given that it helps prevent infection, this is particularly crucial during the cold and flu season. Increasing your fluid intake is one of the main strategies doctors advise when you develop a cold. Why? Drinking fluids regularly keep the body adequately hydrated and operating at peak performance.
You can complement preventative care by maintaining a healthy diet and getting enough sleep. These will assist you in preserving your best health and ensuring that your body’s systems are functioning properly, along with appropriate fluid hydration. Being unwell with a cold has the fastest negative impact on productivity.
Additionally, consistent fluid intake can help your body remove harmful toxins through regular urination. Frequent dark urine is a well-known indicator of chronic dehydration and should serve as a reminder to drink more water.
Lessens Caffeine and Sugar Intake
Caffeine overdose can make you jittery and unfocused, and interfere with your sleep. Additionally, it can result in symptoms of water dehydration, like headaches, jitters, and irritability. All of these lessen your ability to complete tasks efficiently and productively.
Long-term exposure to high sugar levels can also result in heart disease, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, obesity, and other harmful health effects. Create the habit of grabbing a glass of water whenever you are thirsty or are feeling rundown. You might be surprised by how much hydration can make you feel better.
Supports Digestion
Although lunch is typically a lighter meal of the day, indigestion can make you feel lethargic and cause an afternoon slump. When you drink water with your meal, your body is better able to absorb the nutrients from your food and facilitate digestion. After drinking plenty of water along with your meal, you’ll feel more energized and ready to take on the afternoon.
Tips for Staying Hydrated Throughout the Workday
Rehydrating yourself by consistently consuming fluids throughout the day will help you stay more productive. Set yourself up for success by adhering to these simple tips to ensure you’re getting the daily recommended intake and preventing dehydration symptoms as much as possible.
Drink a Glass of Water to Begin Your Day
Try drinking a full glass of water instead of your usual morning coffee or tea when you wake up. Your metabolism will be sped up as a result, and you’ll develop the habit of drinking water first thing in the morning.
Create a Reminder
It takes some time to form a habit. Make sure to fill your glass at least once every hour by setting the alarm or reminder on your phone. This guarantees you receive the minimum advised intake even if you’re bogged down in meetings and projects nonstop.
Buy a Gallon Jug
Fill a gallon jug in the morning and set a goal to finish it by the end of the day. Some jugs are labeled with encouragement at various water levels, allowing you to track your progress. Fewer trips to the water cooler mean more time to work on the tasks at hand.
Sync with an App
Your ability to stay hydrated and subsequently be productive at work can be greatly influenced by technology. You can track your water intake goals with several apps. Additionally, a water bottle suggests how much water you should drink and alerts you when it’s time to hydrate.
Takeaway
Drinking enough water before you start your day will help you stay hydrated throughout the day and prevent you from feeling lethargic or tired in the afternoons.
To ensure your employees are getting the recommended water intake while working, provide a water filtration system that will keep your employees hydrated and happy. If you’re looking for one, check out water filtration equipment from Coffee Man Beverage Services in Orange County, CA. You can visit our website or call us at 714-336-8636 for more information about our office water filtration equipment.