by Fern Shaw | Aug 4, 2014 | Health and Hydration
As we all know – and as Gravesend especially knows – a recorded 25.7 °C two weeks ago – summer is most definitely here.
Being all things water, one can imagine that I’ll be coming out with reams of ‘drink thy water’ tomes, but just for argy bargy’s sake, today, I’m not.
Yep, you read right, today I’m not going to be talking drink water; today I’m talking about how to keep hydrated externally. Watch this sportsfans!
See that sponge? That’s your skin, that is! (If not looked after …)
Seriously though, are there ways other than drinking sufficient water to keep your skin well moisturised and plumped up smooth or this just an old wives tale?
Blogista Shaw went walkabout (cyber style) and came across some pretty good tips:
- 1. Wear protective clothing over your skin. A lot of clothing in outdoor stores and fashion stores has a UV protection rating. The UV protection rating is a good indicator of how clothing can act as an excellent barrier against the sun’s rays. Cover up as much skin as you can, using lightweight fabrics when it’s really hot and uncomfortable. Choose fabrics that won’t itch, scratch, or overheat you and choose light colours over dark ones, to keep the heat level down. My own personal jury is still out on this light colour clothing vs. dark, but that’s for another time.
- 2.Wear a hat. Your facial skin will benefit enormously from a permanent ring of shade over it in the heat of the sun. This I can attest to. I have the coolest soft cowgirl style hat that I’ve had for years that’s all UV protected as above and it has served me well. Plus, it looks very styling!
- 3. Give your skin a break. By watching the weather over summer, you can work out the days when you won’t need to slather on the chemicals, such as when it’s pouring with rain or it’s a very overcast day. Be sure to pop on your hat and cover clothing as usual because UV rays still penetrate the clouds; you can at least allow your skin a break from the sun cream.
- 4. If you’re going on holiday and you’re driving, then take your make-up off before you leave as it gives your skin time to breathe. Leave your make-up off as often as possible while you’re on holiday. This is a great opportunity to let your skin breathe and be free from the chemicals in cosmetics.
- 5. Rinse skin after swimming. This is especially important when you’ve been swimming in chlorinated environments as the chlorine can dry out your skin and for some people it can even result in an allergic reaction. And whereas the salt in the sea can be very healing for cuts, grazes and unhappy ‘winter feet’, the same can’t be said for chlorinated water.
Now you know. More in the next insert. ‘Peace an’ love, peace an’ love, people’ as Ringo says!
by Fern Shaw | Jun 17, 2014 | Health and Hydration, water cooler, Water Coolers
Last week in Part I, we were all about bad nutrition and productivity and skipping lunch. This week, the debate continues with mentions of the (for some) dreaded broccoli, superfoods and eating well at work.
Two journalists battled it out; one had spent time working in France, where lunch was always taken away from one’s desk. The other said that she would far rather power through her lunch break and have her sandwich at her desk as it would give her more time after work to spend with her family.
It would seem that having lunch away from your desk is the way to go, according to studies at the University of California. Taking the time out of your work environment gives your brain a breather and allows your brain to ‘power up’ and go back to work refreshed and ready for the next haul. Sitting at your desk doesn’t allow for that brain refresh. I’d say it’s similar to power napping, which I do and believe it works. (That’s a whole other topic for another blog).
Superfoods
*In the nineties, it was all about organic food. Then along came the concept of “superfoods,” a term used to describe foods that are supposedly really, really good for you. But it turned out to be more of a re-branding exercise for otherwise fairly mundane supermarket produce, like berries. And if you ask a scientist, the term superfood actually means something completely different. It’s used in academia to refer to calorie-dense food, like chocolate (aha!).
Broccoli
Apparently, the little green forest trees (as I like to call them), have been shown to help the immune system to clean harmful bacteria from the lungs. A compound found in the vegetable is now being trialled as a treatment for people with lung disease.
To ensure that the lungs function correctly, white blood cells called macrophages remove debris and bacteria that can build up in the lungs and cause infection.
**This cleaning system is defective in smokers and people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) – a combination of emphysema and bronchitis – who suffer from frequent infections.
Now, researchers have figured out that a chemical pathway in the lungs called NRF2, involved in macrophage activation, is wiped out by smoking. They also found that sulphoraphane, a plant chemical that is made by broccoli, cauliflower and other cruciferous vegetables when damaged, such as when chewed, can restore this pathway.
A brief aside here – I’m not lauding cauliflower because people have been raving about ‘delicious, creamy’ cauliflower mash that you make in place of mashed potato. Problem is I don’t have a blender, so I tried to hand mash the cauliflower. Let’s just say that cauliflower will not be darkening my door again, for some time.
Eating well
When surveyed by researchers from Nottingham University, staff at the UK’s National Health Service said they felt they had a responsibility to set an example for healthy eating at work. But the American Journal of Public Health found that for healthy eating habits at work to take any effect, workers’ families also had to get on board. What people eat at work is linked to their overall lifestyles and attitudes to nutrition.
I must say I do like the can-do attitude of the people at the NHS. Overall, I think it is important, as your working day takes up a lot of your hours awake (bar those power naps), to make sure that the powers-that-be in your work environment focus on your well-being too. Is there a water cooler? A water boiler? A hot drinks dispenser? Are there kitchen facilities at your workplace? Some type of eating station?
If not, perhaps you should squeak up and point out to said powers the clear benefits between nutrition and productivity.
*Excerpts from an article in Quartz.
**Excerpts from an article in the New Scientist
by Fern Shaw | Jun 2, 2014 | Health and Hydration
There’s no avoiding it. Work an eight-hour day (or longer) and you’ll have to stop to eat at some point. Be it a questionable sandwich or a lavish lunch, workers need grub. But what should you eat to achieve maximum results? And is skipping lunch to polish off that e-mail really such a bad thing? In this 2 part blog, we have a look at both sides.
Eating in the office canteen is good for you. In Finland, at least.
The Finnish have done a lot of research into workplace eating habits. One study by the Finnish National Institute for Health and Welfare found that workers who ate in office cafeterias, compared to those who brought in packed lunches, were eating more fruit and vegetables. This has a lot to with the fact that in Finland, food provided in canteens must meet national nutritional guidelines.
To be sure, the wisdom of eating in a canteen does depend on the quality of what’s on the menu. Staff interviewed at Barnsley Borough Council in London described the food in their cafeteria as “stodgy” and more suited to manual labourers.
Skipping lunch is bad for you.
As explained in his book about workplace eating habits, Christopher Wanjek found that workers who skip lunch are more stressed, less productive and only end up snacking in the afternoon anyway.
The endless cycle of bad nutrition and low national productivity.
Poor eating choices affect productivity. In fact, it causes this shame spiral:
There’s a lot that has gone into this debate. Next week, in Part II, we’ll thrash this out further. For now, at least we know one thing that’s crystal – keeping yourself hydrated at work can only be good for you. Until next week … drink up!
Excerpts from an article in Quartz.
by Fern Shaw | Mar 26, 2013 | Health and Hydration
Hydration
Verb
A compound, typically a crystalline one, in which water molecules are chemically bound to another compound or an element.
Noun
Cause to absorb water.
Hydration
The process of combining with water; is usually reversible.
Further than the noun and the verb of the word, what is the big, fat, hairy deal with hydration? Is it just a buzzword? A trend? Or, is there actually something more to it?
Short answer:
Yes!
Elaborate:
Well, perhaps hydration is a bit of buzz word and 2 decades ago, we, similar to our animals, referred to our being needed to be kept hydrated as being kept ‘watered’, however, the importance is the same – drinking sufficient water is essential to humans – in fact, it is an absolute necessity.
Why?
Water makes up approximately 70 per cent of an adult’s body, so as petrol fuels an engine to make it run, water is the fuel that runs our bodies (and brains etc. etc).
For a car engine, it’s pretty simple, no fuel, no motion, but for humans, a little more dramatic – you could be doing yourself harm by not keeping hydrated – to the point where you can hardly function and potentially exacerbate any deficiency or illness you may have.
Next week, perhaps you’d like to gather around the water cooler with me for more detail about the importance of drinking the aqua whether at the workplace, the home space or schmoozing the FaceBook.
by Fern Shaw | Jan 30, 2013 | Health and Hydration
Even if you’re making an attempt to stay hydrated, you may be unknowingly consuming foods and drinks that dehydrate you. Certain ingredients can increase urination, cause fluid imbalance, and make you feel thirsty more often. Understanding how these substances impact your hydration status is key to maintaining optimal health.
Sodium is a Big Culprit
Eating too much salt can disrupt your electrolyte balance, leading to fluid retention and eventual dehydration. When you eat salty snacks, your body signals thirst in an effort to maintain proper hydration status. Some common high-sodium foods include:
- Fast foods
- Potato crisps
- Tinned foods
- Cured meats
- Condiments like tomato sauce (ketchup), mustard, and salad dressing
To prevent dehydration, try balancing your sodium intake by eating water-rich foods like cucumbers, watermelon, and oranges.
Sugary Drinks Also Contribute
Much like salty foods, beverages with excessive sugar can also cause dehydration. Drinks such as energy drinks, sodas, and overly sweetened coffees lead to fluid loss, making it harder for your body to stay properly hydrated.
Many of these drinks contain caffeine, a diuretic that increases urination, further depleting fluids. Instead of relying on sugary drinks, consider healthier alternatives like coconut water, which replenishes lost electrolytes and supports hydration.
Foods to Help Your Body Stay Hydrated
Instead of consuming foods and beverages that contribute to dehydration, opt for hydrating foods and nutrient-dense options that help your body retain moisture.
Blueberries
Yielding antioxidants, vitamin C and anti-inflammatory properties, a handful of these berries daily in season can do wonders.
Fatty Fish
Fatty fish with omega-3s include salmon, herring, sardines, and mackerel. Make sure that you only buy fish off the endangered list.
Soy
This does not mean using enough soy sauce to turn your sushi rice into another colour. Soy sauce has a high sodium content. Clean and simple soy is recommended. Soy in this category includes tofu, soy milk, and edamame. Edamame, for the curious, is green soybeans boiled or steamed in their pods and it’s very trendy to be seen eating edamame.
Fibre
Some great options for getting more fibre in your body are:
- Beans. Think three-bean salad, bean burritos, chilli, soup.
- Whole grains. That means whole-wheat bread,and pasta.
- Brown rice. White rice doesn’t offer much fibre.
- Popcorn. It’s a great source of fibre.
- Nuts. Almonds, pecans, and walnuts have more fibre than other nuts.
- Baked potato with skin. It’s the skin that’s important here.
- Berries. All those seeds, plus the skin, give great fibre to any berry.
- Bran cereal. Actually, any cereal that has 5 grams of fibre or more in a serving counts as high fibre.
- Oatmeal. Whether its microwaved or stove-cooked, oatmeal is good fibre.
- Vegetables. The crunchier, the better.
Drinks to Help Prevent Dehydration
Instead of sugary, dehydrating drinks, try these alternatives to avoid dehydration:
Tea
The antioxidant powers of tea are present in both black and green tea. Try these tips on switching from fizzy drinks to water for the added effect of consuming more tea while you’re drinking less fizz.
Calcium-rich Foods
Many health-conscious men and women tend to stay away from dairy products for fear that they contain fat, but calcium is necessary for the body. If you’re scared of the cheese and milk, take a calcium supplement.
A good rule of thumb is to drink enough water consistently throughout the day and adjust your fluid intake based on activity level, diet, and overall health. By making mindful choices, you can avoid dehydrating foods and drinks, improve energy levels, and keep your body properly hydrated for optimal well-being. Find more hydration tips and browse our range of water solutions at AquAid UK. Contact us today!
