The Importance of Staying Hydrated at Work

Dehydration can have serious consequences and you may not recognize them straight away. Not drinking enough during the day can slow your performance, but it's not always easy when you're in an office environment and feel chained to your chair, and your chair to the desk!

Becoming dehydrated can have a significant impact on your concentration levels. Given the brain is 60% water and the body 75%, it's little wonder that we suffer without enough of it. Your concentration starts to decrease the more dehydrated you become, making it harder to focus on the tasks in front of you.

You may also start to suffer a range of symptoms which can make working difficult. Headaches and migraines are the most obvious examples, but other examples include nausea, joint pain, memory loss and a lack of energy.

Studies have also shown that even mild dehydration can affect your mood, making you more irritable and therefore more likely to clash with colleagues. That doesn't just make for a bad atmosphere, it may harm your career prospects if you're thought of as someone with a short fuse.

To stay hydrated and dampen the fuse, make sure you always have water to hand and avoid fizzy drinks, which don't contribute to rehydration. If you're the sort of person who gets absorbed in a task, set reminders to prompt you to drink. Finally, if you like an afternoon snack then stay clear of the salty or sugary things which will dehydrate you and try to opt for fruit instead, with its higher water content.

Remember, stay hydrated and your job performance will improve no end.