Can Hydration Really Improve Your Performance at Work?

Now that we’ve got your attention, read on to understand exactly how hydration affects the body and get our top tips on increasing your water intake throughout the day.

 

How Does Good Hydration Affect Your Body And Brain?

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Our bodies are made up of around 60% water, so it makes sense that if you’re dehydrated, your body will struggle to function at optimal levels. The more hydrated you are, the more positive benefits you’ll see in your energy, thinking, mood, and health.

Increased Energy Levels

Dehydration makes us tired because it impairs several physiological functions that give us energy.

• Blood volume is reduced, meaning that oxygen can’t travel around your body as effectively.
• With less fluid, the electrolytes that support muscle function and metabolism become imbalanced, leading to fatigue and low energy.
• Water aids digestion, so if you are dehydrated, you may not absorb the same amount of nutrients and get as much energy as usual from your food.

Sharper Cognitive Function

Your brain holds more water than other parts of your body and is particularly sensitive to even mild dehydration.

• The brain’s electrical activity relies on water conductivity, so brain activity is more difficult with reduced water.
• A dehydrated brain can’t remove toxins as effectively as usual, resulting in a build-up that can cloud thinking.
• Reduced blood volume prevents as much oxygen from getting to the brain, causing slower reactions.
• Water loss can also impair the neural pathways that support information recall and working memory.

More Stable Mood

When your body and brain are feeling the effects of dehydration, you may become irritable and agitated. Here’s why:

• Dehydration is a common cause of headaches, and if you’ve ever had a headache at work, you’ll know how fed up and irritated it makes you feel.
• General tiredness and fatigue caused by low water can make work seem like the last place you want to be.
• Your body produces more cortisol when it is under the stress of being low on water. Elevated cortisol can cause anxiety, stress, and irritability.

Better Overall Health

Dehydration impacts every function in your body and can cause multiple health issues and complaints, including:

• Tiredness and fatigue
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Urine infections
• High heart rate
• Muscle weakness
• Dry lips and cracked skin
• More susceptible to throat and chest infections

Of course, better health means fewer illnesses and less time off sick—something employers value highly.

 

Tips For Increasing Your Fluid Intake

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• Keep a bottle of water or juice topped up and within reach all day – preferably in your eyeline, so you remember it’s there!
• Avoid drinking fluids that dehydrate you – especially drinks containing caffeine that can stimulate your bladder and make you go to the toilet more often.
• Get a water bottle that measures how much you’re drinking so you know whether you’re on track.
• It sounds simple, but drink when you’re thirsty! So many of us ignore those signals.
• Eat food with high water content, like salad, fruit and vegetables.
• Set yourself a goal of how much to drink so you have something to aim for.
• If you get bored of water, take some squash to work as a tastier alternative.

 

Final Thoughts

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There is no denying that drinking more water is good for us. Water powers every part of our body and brain and supports all physiological functions without us even thinking about it. And best of all, we can access as much as we want, usually for free.

Now that we can appreciate all the ways good hydration can boost performance in the workplace, it doesn’t seem quite as dull, does it?!

For more tips on boosting your performance in the workplace, check out our blog. Or, if you’re looking for a new job, read The Ultimate Jobseeker Guide for tips and advice on landing your next role.