We’re all aware of the dangers of dehydration. As we are constantly losing water through urinating and sweating, it’s important to replenish these fluids, and so experts recommend drinking up to two litres of water per day. When we are busy at work, it’s easy to forget to take time out to grab a drink, but with research indicating that becoming dehydrated leads to a range of health issues, not to mention a low mood and poor concentration, ensuring that your employees stay hydrated could make them happier, healthier and more productive.
This is why many firms offer workplace refreshment in the form of water fountains and coolers. And with many water systems being high-spec, efficient and aesthetically pleasing, they can actually be a huge asset to many workplaces.
Healthy Staff
These days, promoting healthy living amongst staff is a key priority for many companies, because healthy employees are productive employees. When you consider that many businesses offer employee perks such as workplace gyms and on-site doctors, installing a water cooler is a simple and cost-effective way to encourage healthy workplace refreshment.
Long-Term Benefits
This can have a number of long-term health benefits for staff. Severe dehydration can lead to serious health issues such as kidney failure, swelling of the brain and seizures. Aside from this, it is a far healthier alternative to vending machines which offer caffeine or sugary drinks to staff – too many of these types of products have been linked to health issues such as diabetes and obesity. Fresh filtered water isn’t just refreshing and hydrating: it is free from chemicals that may be found in tap water, thus providing health benefits for staff on a daily basis for years to come.
Short-Term Benefits
On a more immediate level, dehydration can cause headaches, fatigue, nausea and poor concentration, which can all lead to employees feeling demotivated, unwell and consequently unable to carry out their duties to a high standard. It is thought that dehydration is one of the major contributors to the so-called ‘2pm slump’. Dehydration also has a major impact on our mood and behaviour. With studies showing a clear spike in irritability (even from slight dehydration), it seems that a water system could be a good way to keep workplace relations and morale ticking over nicely.
Cost-Effective
And if as a manager you are concerned about the cost of installing a water system, you needn’t worry. A standard water cooler tends to be far less expensive to power than a vending machine, as they require less energy to run. So not only will you be cutting back on sick days and increasing productivity in staff, but you’ll also be slashing energy costs too.
For leisure, hospitality and office-based workplaces, there is a range of products to suit all business needs. There really is no better time to think about installing a water system in your workplace. Hydration, after all, is considered to be the key to health and happiness.