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Workplace well-being has been a hot topic over the past few years. However, many business leaders are still neglecting to include hydration as part of their well-being and health and safety strategies.
The human body is composed of 70% water. This is why it’s essential to drink enough water to keep the body in proper working order. But staying hydrated at work can be difficult for many, given busy schedules, heavy workloads, and deadlines to hit. With this in mind, it’s no surprise that good hydration is becoming a growing workplace issue.
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Productivity and Hydration
Research suggests that even slight dehydration of around 2% can influence be detrimental. It can affect mood, increase fatigue, and reduce alertness. In fact, one study from the University of East London found that drinking a single glass of water can increase your brain function by up to 14%.
Health and Safety
Not only can better hydration improve productivity, but it can also help us perform better, both mentally and physically. This can help offset potential safety risks.
Few people realize how dangerous dehydration can be. Being just 3% dehydrated has a similar effect on the body as having a blood alcohol level of 80mg per 100ml of blood. This is the blood-alcohol limit for drivers in the UK as well as in many states in the US. We all understand the risks of impaired driving. However, most of us don’t take the same precautions when it comes to dehydration.
Employers are required by law to ensure workers have adequate access to safe drinking water, along with a suitable number of drinking vessels. In spite of this, a third of Brits admit to not drinking enough water. This is an issue that intensifies during the summer months when temperatures are higher. It’s important to note that human beings lose more water through perspiration during the summer.
Occupational Health
Striving for a healthier workplace is essential in lowering absences due to illness. Often, workplace health programs focus on food and exercise. But they neglect to consider hydration.
A 2015 poll of physicians even suggests that approximately one in five medical appointments could be related to dehydration, primarily through fatigue. For that reason, occupational health professionals recommend that employers think of drinking water as a priority in the office.
Emotional Well-Being and Hydration
Not only can dehydration affect our ability to properly function in terms of physical and mental performance, but it can also affect our moods and emotions.
Several studies have shown that dehydration can lead to poor mood, fatigue, tension, and anxiety. It’s no secret that happy workers are more productive. Moreover, they perform better and stay at the company longer. In short, a good hydration strategy is great for your business, as well as for your team.
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The Solution
The key to improving workplace hydration is to ensure your employees have access to unlimited clean drinking water. Mains fed water dispensers are relatively inexpensive. Moreover, they can provide delicious chilled, boiling, and sparkling water that’s also eco-friendly.
It’s important to create a healthy hydration culture. Educate your team on the importance of hydration and encourage them to take regular comfort breaks to grab a drink. Providing each employee with their own quality, durable drinking bottle ensures everyone has a suitable drinking container in the workplace.
Beginning in July, the hydration experts at Liquidline are offering 10 free reusable personal drinking bottles with every purchase of any Borg & Overström water dispenser. Starting from as little as £4.50 a week on a lease hire basis, Borg & Overström creates some of the finest mains fed water dispensers on the market. They are renowned for their style, superior filtration system, and eco-friendly credentials.
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