Staying hydrated at work can be a bit of a challenge. Sometimes when you’re so focused on your work tasks, it can be easy to forget about hydration. Between meetings, phone calls and everything else you’ve got going on, drinking enough water is still very important. So we’ll give you 5 easy tips for staying hydrated while you work.
Staying Hydrated at Work – Stay Sharp
Maybe you work at a desk all day. It’s not like you’re running a marathon. So why is it so important to stay hydrated?
Making sure you drink enough water just ups your game. Even if you are mildly dehydrated, the brain doesn’t function as well. You might find it hard to stay focused; your attention span is not what it could be. You just work better when you drink enough water.
In fact some studies have used extreme conditions to generate dehydration, for example undertaking a military exercise for 53 h in hot conditions, during which they slept for an average of three hours [13]. They lost on average 4.1 kg of weight, the majority of which reflected the loss of body fluid. Unsurprisingly mood and the performance of a range of cognitive functions, including vigilance, reaction times, attention, memory and reasoning was impaired.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
5 Tips for Staying Hydrated at Work
Bring a Water Bottle With You
Always keep water at your side. Above all, having a water bottle with you all the time is the number one thing you can do.
Stay Away from Alcohol and Caffeine
Obviously, staying away from alcohol at work should be a no-brainer. Therefore, I’m just going to trust you on that one. But that leaves caffeine. That can be more of a challenge. But trust me on this one; water will always be the best option for staying hydrated at work.
Add Fruit to Your Water
I know some of you may not be too excited by the flavor of plain water. That’s okay, I get that. No problem; add your favorite fruit – lemons, limes, strawberries, cucumbers… That makes it a totally different drink.
Fruits and Veggies
Although it’s the best source, water isn’t the only game in town. Take some of your favorite fruits and veggies for snacks.
Some fruit & vegetables that are a good source for water:
- Watermelon (shocker!)
- Strawberries
- Rasberries
- Pineapple
- Cantaloupe
- Oranges
- Cucumber
- Celery
Don’t Wait Until You’re Thirsty
If you’re thirsty, you’re dehydrated. Just make a habit of taking a few sips on a regular basis. (this is where that water bottle is going to come in handy)
In Conclusion
Drinking enough water while you work is important, but easy to forget. Stay sharp, focused and alert. Use these 5 tips for staying hydrated while you’re working.