by Fern Shaw | Sep 2, 2021 | water cooler
With all of us having experienced a total change in our day-to-day for some 17 months now, our work schedules turned upside down, adjusting to working remotely or mostly from home, it’s small surprise that we’ve lost the ability to implement the usual workday schedule. The one where we knew when to take a break, leave our desks, stretch our legs or gather with workmates at the water cooler while replenishing our drinking water.
With this, it’s likely that we’re out of practise with looking after our health and well-being: spending hours glued to our seats, in front of our screens, working for hours on end without taking a break.
Which is why all employers may need a gentle reminder about how vital it is to provide all employees with convenient, easy access to drinking water throughout the working day or whatever duration the work period is.
Various studies have proven that even mild dehydration can negatively influence cognition.
An article in the NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information) states, in part, “Mild levels of dehydration can produce disruptions in mood and cognitive functioning. Mild dehydration produces alterations in a number of important aspects of cognitive function such as concentration, alertness and short-term memory in children, young adults and in the oldest adult.
As with physical functioning, mild to moderate levels of dehydration can impair performance on tasks such as short-term memory, perceptual discrimination, arithmetic ability, visuomotor tracking, and psychomotor skills.”
Studies such as these reinforce how vital it is for every organisation to provide each employee convenient access to high-quality water dispensers that can effortlessly supply a constant source of cool, chilled or boiling hot drinking water.
by Fern Shaw | Aug 24, 2021 | Uncategorized
In a word, yes. They most likely are. With radical changes in work structures in multiple industries over the last two decades, so too has the water cooler station. Whereas before it may have been that the only ‘away from the office’ space was where the floor standing water cooler was (did that make the carrier of the desktop water cooler happy or unhappy we wonder?), as work styles and office space has changed, so too has the work environment.
Breakout spaces now aren’t only for hotels and conferencing venues or sports stadiums, but are, more and more, becoming a standard in any workspace – be that in a smaller office where partitioning is made use of, to larger organisations where a breakout area is a wholly separate room or even an entire floor in the largest businesses.
Are breakout spaces necessary at work?
Again, yes. A change in scenery, a creative space to reflect and think or a separate, more casual space where to retreat for a while when stress is high at work is what breakout spaces are all about.
Why are they necessary?
Breakout spaces not only reduce stress, they also enhance employee creativity and productivity, benefitting not only the individual but also the company overall. Any environment that reduces tension or creates a space where one can replenish their drinking water, defuse or relax is of instant benefit with potentially long-term benefits too.
Should your water cooler be in the breakout space?
Absolutely. Drinking water regularly is crucial to one’s ability to focus, concentrate and better perform throughout the working day. There is no better place for a water dispenser than in a breakout space. Moreover, if your organisation hasn’t yet gravitated towards such a space, then any easily accessible, ‘classic’ water cooler station will suffice.
by Fern Shaw | Jul 28, 2021 | water cooler
After months of being cooped up, and for many without the capabilities to exercise or train at home, it’s no surprise we may all be feeling a little stiff and find even the simplest physical effort testing.
Stretching is possibly the simplest route back to feeling better and making it easier to up our sadly depleted fitness levels.
Sit and stretch. Working sitting at a desktop or looking at mobiles or tablets invariably leads to rounded, hunched shoulders, bent neck, hunched torso and legs locked in a seated position. Getting up, walking around and replenishing your drinking water is usually the best manner to counteract stiff muscles but even seated stretches are a good start. Stretching counteracts tight muscles and can improve overall posture.
Stretch before exercising. There’s good reason many fitness disciplines begin with a stretching routine. Our muscles tend to tighten into the position we’re in the most, the more sedentary we are, and the less range of movement we have. Stretching before exercise can also help decrease the likelihood of muscle strain or injury, as it brings blood flow to the muscles and helps warm them, decreasing tightness.
Increases and maintains a better range of motion. As we age, our joints lose range of motion. We can counteract this by stretching regularly. Even if range of motion in some joints is limited, stretching helps maintain a better range of motion.
Reduces back pain and decrease sore muscles. Poor posture in the upper back can lead to lower back pain as it tries to compensate. Tight hamstrings and leg muscles can also lead to lower back pain. When we stretch, the associated muscles to help improve/strengthen posture this helps decrease back pain.
How drinking water helps. Even at a cellular level, we need water to transport fluids that protect and lubricate our joints and muscles. Even mild dehydration affects our ability to bend, stretch and move. This is why it’s vital to make sure you maintain good hydration habits every day.
Help maintain good hydration by installing an AquAid Water Cooler. Our range of high-quality water dispensers is suitable for a constant supply of refreshing drinking water, no matter the size of your premises or staff contingent.
by Fern Shaw | Jul 22, 2021 | mains fed water cooler, water cooler, Water Coolers
As this is all about speed, we’re dispensing with the usual lengthy intros and diving straight in:
- If you’re on the move during the day, carry bottled water with you. If you’re more stationary during the working day, drink water upon waking up, well before your work commute. Drink water when you arrive at work and continue replenishing your water throughout the day.
- Install a bottlefed or mainsfed water dispenser. A water cooler at your premises is an efficient method guaranteeing a constant supply of chilled or ambient temperature or even hot (for your teas and coffees) drinking water.
- Hydrating Drinks other than H2O. Drinking herbal drinks or teas (as they don’t contain caffeine) is a great alternative to water. As is water infused with fruit. A few tasty combinations are mint and cucumber, lemon and raspberries (tart and refreshing!) or orange and strawberry.
- Water rich food. Prepping water rich snacks or meals for your day is easy, quick and packs a hydrating healthy benefit. Think berries, stone fruits and melons and/or lettuce, peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers and many leafy greens. They also all contain other nutrients vital to your well-being.
- Perspiration is an ally – use it. Unlike with cooler weather, when it’s hot, it’s easier to see when you’re perspiring/sweating. Perspiration is one of your body’s direct methods signalling that you need to replace the water you’re losing. Even if you’re not that active, it’s easy to dehydrate. Make sure to drink water regularly every day and even more so when you perspire.
- Tag family, friends, and workmates. Wherever you are – home, remote work, workplace – set-up a buddy water alarm clock with whoever is in plain sight. Check regularly to make sure they’re drinking the water they poured. Repeat at regular intervals.
by Fern Shaw | Jun 23, 2021 | water cooler, Water Coolers
I looked up the 3 Laws of Energy in order to present them in this blog, however, my energy levels are somewhat reduced as I haven’t been drinking water as I usually do and it was a little more difficult than I thought to simplify what these laws entail.
What I do know is that all beings require energy in order to function. In order to function well, humans require fuel and we gain energy from consuming food. In order to extract energy from food, every single cell needs to activate in order for that food to process into energy. At the core of generating this energy, is water.
Water is essential for life – involved in many cellular functions, including energy production. By drinking water at regular intervals throughout the day, you’re already providing your body and brain with an energy boost. Not only does water help stimulate the organs responsible for the digestive function, it lubricates joints and muscles, plumps up our skin, keeps our eyes clear, promotes healthy blood circulation and overall helps our body function at its best.
If you would like to have a steady supply of refreshing drinking water at your convenience, speak to one of our knowledgeable experts at AquAid Water Coolers. We’d be delighted to assist.
