by Fern Shaw | Jul 10, 2024 | water cooler, water cooler, Water Coolers
In Part 1 we established that chats at the water cooler do indeed still happen and in Part II we looked at the unexpected benefits that arise from such chats.
In Part III of this series, we address what makes for engaging conversation? Here are five useful tips which should help you navigate water cooler conversations.
These apply to both in-person and virtual (where applicable) conversations.
Positivity is Key
Water cooler moments are a chance to unwind and connect. Focus on positive topics and avoid work gripes or negativity. This fosters a more enjoyable and upbeat work environment.
Be Curious (to a point)
Instead of just talking about your own interests, ask questions about others’ hobbies and passions. Not only might you be surprised at what you learn but this could potentially lead to forming a better connection with co-workers in other departments you may not normally engage with.
Listen Well
Show genuine interest in what your colleagues are saying. Ask follow-up questions and avoid turning the conversation back to yourself.
Become a Conversational Catalyst
If you find a lull in the chat, come prepared with conversation starters. Share an interesting fact you learned, a funny anecdote, or ask about a recent event. This keeps the conversation flowing and shows you’re engaged.
Read the Room
If someone seems busy or disinterested, don’t force a conversation, however, if you see colleagues lingering at the water cooler station, say hello. Just be mindful of keeping the conversation concise and respectful of everyone’s time.
By using these tips, you can have engaging and appropriate water cooler chats that could well help build camaraderie with your colleagues.
by Fern Shaw | Jul 8, 2024 | Water, water cooler, Water Coolers
I know I’m always blathering on about drink water, keep hydrated, drink water, hydration, drink water, but honest-to-goodness, when you do the type of research that I do, trust me, there are monster-sized reasons for this advice.
But, to switch things up a little, I’m going to reverse the blather and look at it from another perspective.
Not Drinking Water Means:
- A mere two percent drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic maths and difficulty focusing on the computer screen or on a printed page.
- Even mild dehydration will slow down one’s metabolism by as much as three percent.
- Lack of water is the number one trigger of daytime fatigue.
- A mere two percent drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic maths and difficulty focusing on the computer screen or on a printed page.
- Preliminary research has shown that up to eighty percent of people suffering from back and joint pain could have these pains significantly reduced by drinking between eight to ten glasses of water a day.
- Our digestive systems need a good amount of water to digest food properly. Not drinking water leads to too much stomach acidity and constipation.
- By not drinking water, the thirst mechanism becomes so weak it is often mistaken for hunger. We all know where that leads.
As evidence of the disservice we do to ourselves by not drinking sufficient water continues to mount up and with refreshing drinking water available to us at the turn of a tap or a press of a button gives me reason enough to become a little bit of a water warrior (I was going to say an H2O agony aunt, but that’s just rather unappealing).
You get the gist. Topping up, refilling and replenishing your water bottle or glass is the simplest and most effective manner in which to reduce daytime fatigue, false hunger pangs all while increasing our metabolism rate and our ability to focus.
by Fern Shaw | Jun 26, 2024 | mains fed water cooler, Water, water cooler, Water Coolers
Not all of us have the wherewithal, location or access to be able to cool off as is indicated in the above image. There is however, an easy and simple solution to help you keep your cool when the temperatures soar. You guessed it – drink water more. Here are six reasons why:
Regulates Body Temperature. Our bodies rely on sweat to cool down and sweat is mostly water. When it’s hot, we sweat more, so we need to drink more fluids to replace the water we’re losing. Dehydration can lead to heatstroke, a serious condition that can be fatal.
Boosts Energy Levels. Even mild dehydration can sap your energy levels. When you’re dehydrated, your blood volume decreases, making your heart work harder to pump blood throughout your body. This can lead to fatigue, headaches and dizziness.
Improves Physical Performance. If you’re planning on spending any time outdoors in the heat, whether it’s for work or play, staying hydrated is essential. Dehydration can impair your physical performance and make it harder to exercise.
Improves Mood. Dehydration can also affect your mood. Studies have shown that dehydration can lead to irritability, anxiety and difficulty concentrating.
Sharpens Mentality. Dehydration can also affect your cognitive function. When you’re dehydrated, you may have trouble concentrating, focusing and making decisions.
Keeps Your Skin Healthy. Dehydration can make your skin look dry, dull, and wrinkled. Drinking plenty of water helps to keep your skin hydrated and plump.
If you need a simple and efficient solution which will help make sure that you and everyone in your organisation, site, university, college or school are able to maintain great hydration habits, chat to us at AquAid: 0800 772 3003.
With our wide range of bottled and mainsfed water coolers, and our scheduled and next day bottled water deliveries as part of our service, we have you (water) coolered.
by Fern Shaw | Jun 19, 2024 | water cooler, Water Coolers
In today’s fast-paced work environment, it’s easy to underestimate the power of casual conversation. But in the break room or that quick chat by at the watercooler station – these seemingly unproductive moments can hold immense value. Here’s why:
Building Bridges, Boosting Culture
Water cooler chats create space for informal interaction between colleagues. Sharing stories, jokes, or even weekend plans help employees connect on a personal level. This fosters a sense of camaraderie and strengthens company culture, leading to a more positive and collaborative work environment.
Innovation Through Interaction
Sometimes, the best ideas spark during casual conversations. Discussing a news article or a shared hobby can lead to unexpected connections and fresh perspectives. Chats at the water dispenser can be a breeding ground for creativity and innovation, as employees from different departments exchange ideas and challenge each other’s thinking.
Problem-Solving Power
Stuck on a project? A quick chat with a colleague from another department might be just what you need.
Water cooler conversations allow employees to tap into the collective knowledge of the team, offering a chance to brainstorm solutions or get a second opinion on a tricky issue.
Employee Engagement and Retention
Feeling like just a cog in the machine? Casual chats with coworkers can help combat feelings of isolation and boost employee morale. These interactions create a sense of belonging and value, leading to higher engagement and lower turnover rates.
Breaking the Ice, Building Trust
New hires can often feel overwhelmed in a new environment. Water cooler chats offer a chance to connect with colleagues in a relaxed setting, easing them into the company culture and fostering trust within the team.
The takeaways here are that these casual interactions can be powerful tools for building relationships, sparking creativity and ultimately, driving success in the workplace.
by Fern Shaw | Jun 12, 2024 | water cooler, Water Coolers
With ever-shifting work environments, especially due to events over the last few years, coupled with constant changes between a physical versus a virtual workspace, we pose the question – do water cooler conversations still take place? If so, are they of benefit?
First, let’s define what water cooler talk is. Essentially, it’s the informal conversations between co-workers that typically occur spontaneously in the workspace. It generally involves casual discussions on non-work topics which employees engage in during free moments throughout their workday.*
Next, we turn to whether chats at the water cooler, be they in person or in cyberspace, are of benefit to an organisation and its employees.
According to research, it would seem water cooler chats do benefit both.
- They contribute significantly to building an inclusive company culture as they create opportunities for employees to bond over shared interests and experiences.*
- Whereas the shift to remote work transcended the physical office space, virtual platforms gave rise to the ability to host casual conversations, giving remote teams a chance to build working relationships in an informal setting – around a virtual water cooler.*
- Various studies showed organisations who facilitated virtual water cooler talk resulted in a significant improvement to employee well-being, a feeling of being included and a positive outlook in general.*
If you too are interested in installing a water cooler, creating a positive and convivial atmosphere for your employees, co-workers or for the children and staff at your school, chat to us at AquAid.
Make the most of our more than 24-years’ experience, our wide range of high-quality water dispensers and twenty branch strong team, all who provide the best in both products and service.
*source: from a blog at Cerkl
by Fern Shaw | May 17, 2024 | instant tap, water cooler, water cooler, Water Coolers
In Part I about skipping lunch while working, we were all about bad nutrition and productivity and skipping lunch. In this session, the debate continues with mentions of the (for some) dreaded broccoli, superfoods and eating well at work.
Two journalists battled it out; one had spent time working in France, where lunch was always taken away from one’s desk. The other said that she would far rather power through her lunch break and have her sandwich at her desk as it would give her more time after work to spend with her family.
Having lunch away from your desk is the way to go, according to studies at the University of California. Taking the time out of your work environment gives your brain a breather and allows your brain to ‘power up’ and go back to work refreshed and ready for the next haul. Sitting at your desk doesn’t allow for that brain refresh. I would imagine it’s similar to taking a power nap, which does work.
Superfoods
*In the nineties, it was all about organic food. Then along came the concept of ‘superfoods’, a term used to describe foods that are supposedly really good for you. But it turned out to be more of a re-branding exercise for otherwise mundane supermarket produce, like berries for example. And if you ask a scientist, the term superfood means something completely different. It’s used in academia to refer to calorie-dense food, like chocolate (aha!).
Broccoli
Apparently, the little green forest trees (as I like to call them), have been shown to help the immune system to clean harmful bacteria from the lungs. A compound found in the vegetable is now being trialled as a treatment for people with lung disease.
Eating well
When surveyed by researchers from Nottingham University, staff at the UK’s National Health Service said they felt they had a responsibility to set an example for healthy eating at work. But the American Journal of Public Health found that for healthy eating habits at work to take any effect, workers’ families also had to get on board. What people eat at work is linked to their overall lifestyles and attitudes to nutrition.
I must say I do like the can-do attitude of the people at the NHS. Overall, I think it is important, as your working day takes up a lot of your hours awake (bar those power naps), to make sure that the powers-that-be in your work environment focus on your well-being too. Are there kitchen facilities at your workplace?
Is there a water cooler? Instant Tap? A hot water drinks dispenser?
Some type of sip and feast designated area?
If not, perhaps it’s time to have a chat with your employer and point out the clear benefits between nutrition, good hydration and productivity.
source*: an article in Quartz.
source**: an article in the New Scientist
