Health Benefits of Staying Hydrated
Drinking more water has been proven to have a multitude of positive effects on our physical and mental health and well-being, both at work and at home. We all feel the affects when the human body is dehydrated. We can suffer headaches, fatigue and poor concentration as a result. This has an affect on our mental and physical efficiency, both at work and play. Hydration can make a significant impact on health, happiness and productivity, therefore it should be at the forefront of every company’s wellness strategy.
Studies have shown that drinking more water can enhance your physical health, mental health and even improve the way you look. Staying well hydrated has significant positive effects on the way our bodies function and is essential for a healthy life, with many people claiming it helps them to feel full of energy and alive. Did you know there is a strong correlation between water consumption and mood? Something as simple as drinking more water each day can have profound effects on our mental health and wellbeing. Water not only makes us feel good, but it makes us look good too.
Some of the many ways water can benefit our bodies:
- Feelings of tension and depression are reduced in people who increase their water intake.
- Prevent headaches. Dehydration often causes headaches, so drinking plenty of water can relieve you of that nasty headache.
- Helps maintain the balance of fluids in your body. The functions of these bodily fluids include digestion, absorption, circulation and the transportation of nutrients.
- Helps your heart do its job. A hydrated heart is able to pump blood more easily, allowing the muscles in your body to work better.
- It has been proven that staying hydrated can significantly reduce the risk of colon cancer by 45%, bladder cancer by 50%, and possibly reduce the risk of breast cancer as well.
- Water acts as a lubricant for your joints. If you find yourself with bad knees, aching back, or weak joints, water might just be your answer.
- Regulates body temperature. Water helps the skin do its job through allowing it to sweat. This is why it is vital to stay hydrated in hot weather conditions.
- Aids in weight loss. Sometimes our body confuses thirst for hunger, so if you’re looking to lose weight, staying hydrated can serve as an appetite suppressant.
- Detoxifies. You can rid your body of toxins simply by increasing your water intake which will help to flush accumulated toxins from your kidneys.
- Many people often report that by increasing their water intake, their skin has a more radiant glow and their hair grew faster.
Hydration & Productivity in the Workplace
For better or worse, most of us spend the majority of our waking hours at work. Without proper hydration, employees can experience adverse effects that can hinder their work performance. Many studies have found that good levels of hydration significantly boosts productivity and creativity in the workplace. Staying hydrated supports vital brain functions by providing electrical energy allowing you to think faster and more clearly.
How can someone like an office manager encourage employees to stay hydrated?
- Make water easily accessible to all staff members by changing the layout of your office or installing additional water units.
- When you’re busy it’s easy to forget to stay hydrated. Send out reminders or put up posters to educate employees about the importance of hydration and to remind workers to drink more often.
- Supply plenty of cups or offer reusable bottles to your staff so that hydration is readily available at all times.
- While some of your employees will happily drink water every day, others dislike the taste of plain water. Why not try keeping some lemon slices or cucumber next to your water dispenser to enhance the flavour.