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How Poor Hydration Impacts Productivity in the Workplace

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Businesses looking to boost productivity often focus on technology, training or improving processes. All are worthy investments, but one of the easiest ways to support your employees and help them do their best work is actually just improving their access to fresh drinking water.

Staying hydrated is important for good health, and even mild dehydration can impact concentration, energy levels and decision-making. Providing access to fresh drinking water is simple, yet can make a surprisingly big difference to productivity across your working day, whatever line of work you're in.

Any workplace can benefit from having hydration points installed where they’re easily accessible to staff.

Consider how hydration impacts productivity

Water plays a crucial role in just about every process in our bodies. Regulating temperature, transporting nutrients, lubricating joints and keeping our brains healthy.

Dehydration can impact all of these things, and even mild levels can cause fatigue, loss of concentration and slower reaction times.

When it comes to the workplace, studies have found that dehydration can cause:

  • Poor concentration 
  • Decreased alertness 
  • Brain fatigue 
  • Slow information processing 
  • Increased mental strain
  • Headaches

Falling concentration levels make it harder for employees to focus on tasks, particularly in the afternoon when energy levels start to dip. Employees who aren’t hydrated properly also make more mistakes, take longer to complete work and are less likely to make positive decisions.

Poor hydration can have serious implications for employee wellbeing, as a lack of water consumption can make employees more tired, more lethargic and less motivated.

Hydration and Health at Work

A healthy workforce is a productive workforce. When staff are hydrated, they are less likely to be impacted by headaches, low energy levels or fatigue.

Employees are happier and healthier at work when they feel their wellbeing is prioritised and supported. Ensuring your team regularly hydrate, and are given access to fresh drinking water is one of the simplest ways you can achieve this.

Installing a water dispenser or water cooler 

Installing a water cooler or dispenser is one of the easiest ways to promote better employee wellbeing. Whether you opt for a mains-fed water dispenser or a bottled water cooler, installing a hydration point in your workplace encourages employees to drink more water.

Advantages of Water Coolers at Work 

If employees have to leave the building or walk long distances to find drinking water, they're far less likely to stay hydrated throughout the day.

Installing water dispensers in convenient locations removes this barrier and encourages regular water consumption, making hydration part of the everyday working routine.

Choosing a Bottled Water Cooler or a Mains-Fed Water Dispenser

A mains-fed water dispenser connects directly to your building's water supply, providing an unlimited source of freshly filtered chilled, ambient or hot drinking water.

Here are a few benefits of each option:

Mains-Fed Water Dispenser Benefits

  • Constant supply of fresh water so no need to order bottled water and think about storage
  • Helps your business go green by reducing plastic waste
  • More cost-effective for larger offices and workplaces
  • Comprehensive hydration solution complete with hot, cold and ambient water options for staff and visitors

Bottled Water Cooler Benefits 

  • Can be installed virtually anywhere, even outdoors
  • Quick and easy to set up with minimal fuss
  • High-quality bottled water delivered regularly to your office
  • Ideal hydration solution for offices, warehouses, outdoor workplaces and temporary sites

Help staff to do their best work 

Here at Thirsty Work, we’re passionate about providing businesses with hydration solutions that work for their office. If you’re looking to install a water dispenser or upgrade your current water cooler, we’ll work with you to find the perfect solution for your team.

Our free expert advice will help you to understand the difference between water dispensers and water coolers, recommend products to fit your workspace and answer any other questions you may have. Get in touch today to discuss with our team of water experts.