Regular postings on ergonomics, injury prevention, and employee engagement.
Hydration for Injury Prevention
Jessica Kerr, OTS, REAS
Drinking water is important to regulate body temperature, transport nutrients, and help organs function properly. A lack of proper hydration can lead to difficulty with proper recovery after completing intensive work-related tasks. This also puts individuals at increased risk for injury. Staying hydrated is important for both office and manual workers. Dehydration is linked to increase workload, stress, and long commutes.
Did you Know?
· Work performance can decrease between 25-50% due to dehydration.
· Having as little as 3% dehydration can slow a person’s reaction time to an extent that is equivalent to a 0.08 blood alcohol content.
· One of the most common causes of dehydration in the workplace is due air conditioning which reduces the amount of water in the atmosphere.
Signs & Symptoms of Dehydration
Common signs and symptoms include headache, dizziness, fatigue, body aches, dry mouth/lips/eyes, and dark or strong-smelling urine.
Benefits of Staying Hydrated
· Improves circulation
· Improves brain function
· Lubricates joints and cushions bones
· Balances our body’s chemicals
· Delivers oxygen to the body
· Regulates body temperature
How Can I Stay Hydrated?
It is typically recommended that individuals should drink 64 ounces of water a day which also equates to 8, 8-ounce glasses. However, if you are looking to have a more precise amount that is tailored to your stature you can complete the following equation:
· Take your body weight and divide that number by 2 this will give you the amount in ounces of water you should drink in a day.
Here are some other tips to help you stay hydrated:
· Drink at least 20 ounces of water prior to physical activity.
· Set reminders on your phone or laptop to drink water every hour. There are many apps on smart phones that can remind you to drink water throughout the day as well as help you keep track of how much water you drink in a day.
· Carry a water bottle with you throughout the day this will be a subtle reminder to sip water throughout the day.
· Need some flavor? Add different fruits such as lemons, limes, blueberries, and/or cucumbers will provide a nice refreshing flavor to your water.
References
Aqua Cooler Direct. (2018, October 05). 10-facts – Dehydration and its effect on productivity at work. Aqua Cooler Direct. https://aquacoolerdirect.com.au/blogs/news/10-facts-about-dehydration-and-its-effect-on-employee-productivity#one
