by Fern Shaw | Sep 19, 2024 | water cooler, Water Coolers
As a nation used to hard work, Britons may perceive that a bit of shuteye amounts to laziness or a way not to get work done properly, so the thought of power naps may seem a little disingenuous/counterintuitive.
Which is why it may come as a surprise that power naps are indeed a thing and if performed correctly, they can greatly benefit one’s well-being all while boosting flagging energy.
As we’ve learnt, drinking water = power (or energy) but who would’ve thought that short naps too = power.
Although power naps are commonplace in some cultures – Japanese workers take an afternoon nap known as ‘hirune’ – many companies worldwide such as Procter & Gamble, PwC and Nike, have made this part of their work culture too.
Are their health benefits to napping?
Regular naps are good for the long-term health of our brain, research shows.
Habitual napping may help keep our brains bigger for longer and boost its overall health, according to a 2023 study by researchers at University College London (UCL) and the University of the Republic in Uruguay.
There are also short-term health benefits associated with napping. Short naps lasting five to 15 minutes can immediately improve how well we perform mentally. This mental stimulus can last up to three hours after we wake up.*
How long should you nap for?
According to Kevin Morgan, professor of psychology and a sleep expert at the University of Loughborough in the UK, “Timing is key for the perfect power nap. If you are going to have a nap, make sure you do it in the mid-afternoon and don’t allow it to go on for longer than 20 minutes. Your body is going to be more accommodating of daytime sleep between 2pm and 4pm as this is when there is a dip in the circadian rhythm and our body temperature drops.”*
As always, water first.
Even if you don’t ascribe to taking a power nap while at work, always remember that drinking water throughout the day, taking a short break to refill your water bottle or water glass from your workplace water cooler, is a guaranteed way to boost flagging energy.
*source: from an article by Isabelle Gerretsen at the BBC
by Fern Shaw | Aug 12, 2024 | water cooler, Water Coolers
In honour of this year’s World Elephant Day, we thought it would be a good idea to highlight one of AquAid’s proudest affiliations – that of forming The Africa Trust – a charity whose CEO also designed an award-winning design water well, affectionally known as the Elephant Pump.
What is there to be proud about?
Design Awards
The Elephant Pump was awarded two prestigious awards in recognition of the pump’s technology, impact and reliability. The first was the World Bank Development Marketplace award for Water, Sanitation and Energy.
Next, the pump went on to win The St. Andrews Medal for the Environment, overcoming a record 260 entrants in the process.
Longevity
Based on a 2,000-year-old Chinese technique for lifting water, the Elephant Pump is inexpensive, simple to make and repair and made from locally available materials giving users a greater sense of ownership. Like the longevity of the elephant, of the 10,000 pumps installed, 95% are still in operation today – a figure 40% above the average for the continent.
Reach and Usage
To date, over 10,000 pumps have been built, servicing more than two million people in communities across Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
Each pump can produce up to 10,000 litres of potable water per day, supplying upwards of three hundred people in the village or community – who are now able to collect clean drinking water and water for productive use every day.
If you are interested in finding out how the easy installation of a water cooler translates into the installation of a safe water resource for a community, speak to us at AquAid – we’ll be delighted to assist.
by Fern Shaw | Jul 18, 2024 | water cooler, water cooler, Water Coolers
With summer on the horizon and school holidays looming, it’s about that time where many Britons are prepping for the journey that will get them to their holiday destination.
Whether it’s to calm the nerves, get your holiday started en route or because it’s your custom to have a tipple when you fly, many of us indulge pre and during flight. Whatever the reasons, imbibing alcohol inflight isn’t a good idea, at all. Here’s why:
Flying already puts a strain on the body. With increased altitude comes decreased air pressure. This decreases the concentration of oxygen in the air and results in reduced oxygen in our lungs and bloodstream.
Aircraft cabins are typically dry environments. Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it increases urine production, which can contribute to dehydration. This can exacerbate the effects of alcohol and lead to headaches and other discomforts.
Although a glass of wine, beer or spirits might seem like a good relaxant, alcohol has an adverse effect on sleep quality. Even at sea level, alcohol has been shown to elevate heart rates, which can interfere with REM sleep and disrupt cardiovascular relaxation.*
Some studies suggest that drinking alcohol and then sleeping on a flight might lower blood oxygen levels and increase heart rate, potentially putting extra strain on the cardiovascular system.
If that casual in-flight drink isn’t something you’re quick to forgo, a few tips to minimise impacts on overall health and sleep.
If you choose to drink, do so responsibly and in moderation. Take short walks around the cabin to improve circulation and prevent blood clots. Most importantly, drink plenty of water throughout the flight to counteract the dehydrating effects of alcohol and the dry cabin air.
*source: Article by Leah Worthington on National Geographic
by Fern Shaw | Jul 10, 2024 | water cooler, water cooler, Water Coolers
In Part 1 we established that chats at the water cooler do indeed still happen and in Part II we looked at the unexpected benefits that arise from such chats.
In Part III of this series, we address what makes for engaging conversation? Here are five useful tips which should help you navigate water cooler conversations.
These apply to both in-person and virtual (where applicable) conversations.
Positivity is Key
Water cooler moments are a chance to unwind and connect. Focus on positive topics and avoid work gripes or negativity. This fosters a more enjoyable and upbeat work environment.
Be Curious (to a point)
Instead of just talking about your own interests, ask questions about others’ hobbies and passions. Not only might you be surprised at what you learn but this could potentially lead to forming a better connection with co-workers in other departments you may not normally engage with.
Listen Well
Show genuine interest in what your colleagues are saying. Ask follow-up questions and avoid turning the conversation back to yourself.
Become a Conversational Catalyst
If you find a lull in the chat, come prepared with conversation starters. Share an interesting fact you learned, a funny anecdote, or ask about a recent event. This keeps the conversation flowing and shows you’re engaged.
Read the Room
If someone seems busy or disinterested, don’t force a conversation, however, if you see colleagues lingering at the water cooler station, say hello. Just be mindful of keeping the conversation concise and respectful of everyone’s time.
By using these tips, you can have engaging and appropriate water cooler chats that could well help build camaraderie with your colleagues.
by Fern Shaw | Jul 8, 2024 | Water, water cooler, Water Coolers
I know I’m always blathering on about drink water, keep hydrated, drink water, hydration, drink water, but honest-to-goodness, when you do the type of research that I do, trust me, there are monster-sized reasons for this advice.
But, to switch things up a little, I’m going to reverse the blather and look at it from another perspective.
Not Drinking Water Means:
- A mere two percent drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic maths and difficulty focusing on the computer screen or on a printed page.
- Even mild dehydration will slow down one’s metabolism by as much as three percent.
- Lack of water is the number one trigger of daytime fatigue.
- A mere two percent drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic maths and difficulty focusing on the computer screen or on a printed page.
- Preliminary research has shown that up to eighty percent of people suffering from back and joint pain could have these pains significantly reduced by drinking between eight to ten glasses of water a day.
- Our digestive systems need a good amount of water to digest food properly. Not drinking water leads to too much stomach acidity and constipation.
- By not drinking water, the thirst mechanism becomes so weak it is often mistaken for hunger. We all know where that leads.
As evidence of the disservice we do to ourselves by not drinking sufficient water continues to mount up and with refreshing drinking water available to us at the turn of a tap or a press of a button gives me reason enough to become a little bit of a water warrior (I was going to say an H2O agony aunt, but that’s just rather unappealing).
You get the gist. Topping up, refilling and replenishing your water bottle or glass is the simplest and most effective manner in which to reduce daytime fatigue, false hunger pangs all while increasing our metabolism rate and our ability to focus.
