Refreshing water for your workplace
Ample fluid intake is the best way to stave off dehydration and heat-induced sickness. Employers are required to ensure that staff have an adequate supply of water and drinks during working hours.
Each type of workplace places different demands on employees. For office workers, plain water, mineral water and juice is enough to ensure they are getting the fluid intake they need, but employees who work in more extreme environments need drinks to replenish the nutrients they have depleted and to give them energy.
Do you know what drinks are best for your staff?
Ensure people in the workplace have enough to drink.
Drinks by type of workplace
Water is an important source of energy, which we all need in our work. It is essential for the human body to function properly. A regular supply of fluids is therefore important, especially on hot days.
Dehydration is particularly common with occupations requiring a lot of movement, which causes perspiration.
Drinking water at regular intervals throughout the working day will leave everyone feeling refreshed and energised, which keeps productivity high.
How much water should we be drinking a day?
The average adult drinks 2 litres of water a day. However, the recommended daily intake of water is 2.5 to 4 litres, depending on factors such as gender, weight, lifestyle and the season.
Read our article on staying hydrated on hot summer days to find out more about how much water you should be drinking every day.
Benefits of keeping to proper fluid intake
- Increased energy. Drinking water at regular intervals throughout the working day will leave employees feeling refreshed and energised, which keeps productivity high.
- Improved brain function. The effects that dehydration has on the brain include diminished alertness, slower reactions, and impaired attention.
- Reduced stress. Getting enough water keeps your cortisol levels within a healthy range. Cortisol, also known as the stress hormone, can adversely affect productivity and people’s ability to work together.
- Improved mood. Drinking plenty of water will keep your spirits up, making you more efficient at work so you can deliver optimal performance.
- No more headaches. Dehydration reduces the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain, causing headaches and migraines.
What drinks should be available in an office?
Office workers may a physically less demanding job, but a regular intake of sufficient fluids is just as important for them as well. Insufficient fluid intake results in fatigue and diminished attention, concentration and productivity.
Despite common misconceptions, even caffeinated beverages such as coffee and energy drinks can help to cover daily fluid intake requirements.
Caffeine is a chemical that increases urine production. The amount of caffeine in tea, coffee and other caffeinated drinks is unlikely to affect overall hydration.
Work outdoors or in extreme conditions?
Go for electrolytes
People think of isotonic drinks primarily as a coloured beverage that athletes drink to recover after a sporting performance or to boost performance during activity.
The contents of isotonic drinks (electrolytes, antioxidants, minerals, carbohydrates, etc.) hydrate the body and replenish energy, which speeds up the body’s recovery. This is why they are also useful for employees who do physically strenuous work.
Depending on the compounds your body needs, you can go for:
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Hypotonic drinks – basically water, suitable during low-impact physical activity.
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Isotonic drinks – ideally formulated to boost energy during moderate physical activity. They can also delay the onset of fatigue.
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Hypertonic drinks – suitable for moderate and very demanding physical activity (e.g. sports) to replenish energy.
If you get a lot of exercise at work
Adequate fluid intake is especially important when you are physically active in the workplace. Physical activity makes you sweat more, so in addition to fluids, you also need to think about your intake of minerals and other beneficial nutrients.
Our tip: A small snack will replenish your energy and brighten up your workday.
Continue reading
Stay hydrated during the hot summer months
Coffee culture in the workplace
