Good Hydration at Work – Water is Important and Beneficial

Drink water before you are Thirsty

Drinking sufficient water each day is beneficial for your health. However, many of us do not drink enough even if it would be beneficial. What obligations must the employer respect? What are the causes and consequences of dehydration? How to hydrate properly? What are the benefits of good hydration?

Tips for Staying Well Hydrated At Work

Drinking water is important, but we don’t drink enough during the work may be due to lack of time or simply because we do not think about it. Here are some tips and tricks to promote good hydration:

• Do not wait to be thirsty, it’s a sign of dehydration.

• Drink preferably fresh water.

• When feeling hungry, drinking can calm the stomach.

• Favor fruits and vegetables made up of a lot of water.

• Drink at least 1.5 L of water a day for good hydration.

• Drink in small amounts regularly.

• Take breaks to drink.

• Drink preferably outside meals: 30 minutes before or 2 hours after.

• Install (or request installation) water source at the workplace.

• Use coldest water bottles.

• Use an app to help you drink more.

• Hydrate more when taking medication to make it easier for the kidneys to work.

• Adapt your consumption to your needs (physical activity, illness …).

An adult should drink at least 1.5 liters of water a day; these needs vary according to age, physical condition and season. But this simple gesture is sometimes forgotten, when the attention is mobilized by the daily tasks, at work in particular. To prevent dehydration, drink before you are thirsty!

Read More: Need of Water around Training and In Competition

Drink Water to Work Better!

The symptoms of dehydration are often overlooked. This, even mild or moderate, corresponding to a loss of water less than 2% of the body weight, can be manifested by fatigue and a drop in concentration. Indeed, the brain is composed of more than 80% water. Dehydration, therefore, disrupts cognitive functions. Concretely, the vigilance diminishes; the memory is reduced, causing a greater tension. It is easy to prevent these annoyances by taking regular breaks to hydrate.

For example, setting the alarm on your phone or installing one of the apps designed to remind time to drink water. The consumption must be adapted to the working conditions naturally. It is necessary to drink more in case of a strong heat wave, when one works outside or that one exercise a physical work in the building for the restoration or on an open area like the green spaces. But also when working in air-conditioned offices because the moving air is particularly dry.

Think about drinking before you’re thirsty!

What are the Obligations of Companies?

It is the responsibility of an employer to provide fresh water for drinking to workers. The Labor Code indicates it in words. Employers must allow their employees to hydrate themselves whatever the place, office, workshop; factory.

Read More: How to Carry Water with You Daily and Stay Hydrated

Tips for Drinking During Your Workday:

In meetings, providing participants with a bottle of water and glasses will prevent them from interrupting to go to drink and will allow them to maintain a good concentration.

In the offices, having a bottle at each workstation creates a visual reminder for all colleagues, who will think about drinking and can also assess their water intake.

When traveling, everyone can take advantage of the time spent by car or train, to hydrate themselves, always having a bottle of water with them, especially in hot weather.

For professionals working outdoors, from sports teachers to landscapers, carrying a bottle of water every day is the guarantee of sufficient hydration.

At lunch, always order a bottle of water is a reflex to adopt, because it is the only drink absolutely essential to the body, without any calories. It is perfect not to get heavy lunch before returning to work!