Why You Need To Stay Hydrated Throughout Your Workday

Reasons to stay hydrated during your day

With about 75% of Americans experiencing chronic dehydration, it goes without saying that we need to drink more water. But, it might shock you to know that hydration plays a major role in your work performance and productivity. Whether you’re the CEO of your own company, an entrepreneur, or you work remotely, hydration is key in order to do your job successfully and efficiently.

The effects of dehydration

On any given workday, you’re probably focused on just that – work. Of course, work should be your main focus in the workplace, but taking care of your body is also a priority. Since the human body is made up of 60% water it absolutely requires fluid to function properly. Therefore it’s essential to stay hydrated throughout the day. And if your job is especially physically demanding, staying hydrated makes a huge difference. However, even an office position requires you to keep your fluid intake up for many reasons. Cooling systems can also dehydrate the air, so staying hydrated is essential to functioning productively in any environment.

Dehydration can cause health symptoms to easily arise. If you struggle with headaches, tiredness, or lack of energy, before you grab a pill, fill up your water bottle. In addition, being dehydrated affects your concentration and memory.

Since you need your brain to work effectively, not properly hydrating throughout the day can negatively impact your focus, attention and productivity. Furthermore, dehydration can cause you to lose focus, gloss-over details and miss important information. Dehydration makes you feel tired and listless. Finally, health symptoms can be alarming and seem more severe when you’re dehydrated. For these reasons, it’s important to stay hydrated and make it an essential part of your productivity routines.

Not only that, but dehydration symptoms make you feel awful overall. Therefore dehydration can leave you feeling anything but motivated to accomplish your goals. This is why staying hydrated throughout your day can be one of the best ways to be a productive and well-performing employee, and there are many ways to do so.

Staying hydrated is not just about drinking more water

It’s very important to keep in mind that water isn’t the only way to stay hydrated throughout the day. In fact, proper hydration also requires electrolytes. One of the most natural way to take in many electrolytes is to drink pure coconut water. If you don’t like it, sports drinks containing electrolytes ensure you’re not just staying hydrated, but also replenishing lost electrolytes throughout the day. Consider spicing up glasses of water with your favorite fruit or vegetable. Any type of citrus makes a great addition.

But there’s more to staying hydrated than what you drink. Keeping your skin hydrated is also a must. Helping your skin stay hydrated is easy with simple additions to your daily routine. Consider adding a humidifier to your office and one to your home Although water can hydrate your skin from within, adding a humidifier to your office or home can help to keep you looking and feeling great, hydrated, and ready for work.

Options to help you stay hydrated

Among the many options, you have to stay hydrated is to bring your own water bottle. There are so many types from which to choose.  Try to avoid single-use plastic bottles. Not only do they make up a large percentage of waste, but they have also been proven to cause health risks. Instead go for a washable, reusable, thermal bottle. You can refill it all day long. It’s great if you have a desk job, as you can keep it right at your desk. You can also take it wherever you go. Whether you’re on the way to the breakroom or gym, a personal water bottle can be used all day long.

Instead of filling up on empty calories and sugary drinks, many restaurants and road-side stops allow you to bring your own container for free water refills. In fact, some water bottles are marked with the times of the day to visually track your daily water intake.

Even with all the choices you have, when you’re not in the habit, you can forget to drink regularly. So watch or phone alarms can help remind you to hydrate throughout the day. And, if you’re lucky enough to have a water cooler in your place of work, you might want to make use of it more often by taking regular hydration breaks.

We all know how important it is to stay hydrated during the summer or in the heat. However, hydration is necessary regardless of the season. So, even if you work in an office and spend most of your time at your desk, your hydration is key to making your brain and body work effectively. The truth is, staying hydrated properly throughout the day can boost productivity and your overall performance in the workplace. Staying hydrated keeps you feeling great and productive.

Share your tips on staying hydrated with us!

Special thanks to our guest writer: Jess Walter, Freelance Writer.