Staying hydrated at work improves concentration

Released 29/06/2010

Keep drinking water during the warm weather

Working in a hot office during the summer months can be tiring. With a stuffy atmosphere and dry air conditioning it is no wonder we struggle to perform to the best of our ability every day. However, new research shows that your loss of concentration at work can simply be due to thirst.

A recent study undertaken by King's College, London, revealed that even mild thirst can decrease productivity at work by as much as 10%. Furthermore, hand and eye coordination can weaken at just one per cent dehydration. The human body is made up of 70% water and the brain is up to 85% water, so you should make that visit to the water cooler as often as possible to prevent the afternoon drop in energy and feeling of lethargy.

In addition to lower productivity, consistent levels of dehydration can be responsible for a number of common ailments including dry skin, aches, spots and headaches.

Top tips for staying hydrated

Water cooler providers, AquAid, have put together some handy tips to help you consume more water during the warmer months and increase your overall health and wellbeing.

- Try switching from caffeine-rich coffee to a glass refreshing water at least twice a day

- If you dislike the taste of water bring in a bottle of squash or herbal tea bags to keep on your desk

- Be aware of the first signs of thirst which include excessive yawning, irritability, headaches and heat intolerance. Actually feeling thirsty means you are already dehydrated

- Keep a tally of how many glasses of water you drink during the day. A post-it note counting down eight to one can be ticked off to incentivise you to drink the recommended number of glasses per day

- Buy a two-litre bottle of water to keep on your desk to remind you to drink whilst at work. Remember, this bottle can be filled up throughout the week from the office water coolers so needn't become an additional expense

- Children at school can also be affected by thirst and easily lose concentration, so pack a sports-sized bottle of water in their lunchboxes. You could also freeze it overnight allowing it to defrost throughout the day and keep cool

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