by Fern Shaw | Sep 19, 2024 | water cooler, Water Coolers
As a nation used to hard work, Britons may perceive that a bit of shuteye amounts to laziness or a way not to get work done properly, so the thought of power naps may seem a little disingenuous/counterintuitive.
Which is why it may come as a surprise that power naps are indeed a thing and if performed correctly, they can greatly benefit one’s well-being all while boosting flagging energy.
As we’ve learnt, drinking water = power (or energy) but who would’ve thought that short naps too = power.
Although power naps are commonplace in some cultures – Japanese workers take an afternoon nap known as ‘hirune’ – many companies worldwide such as Procter & Gamble, PwC and Nike, have made this part of their work culture too.
Are their health benefits to napping?
Regular naps are good for the long-term health of our brain, research shows.
Habitual napping may help keep our brains bigger for longer and boost its overall health, according to a 2023 study by researchers at University College London (UCL) and the University of the Republic in Uruguay.
There are also short-term health benefits associated with napping. Short naps lasting five to 15 minutes can immediately improve how well we perform mentally. This mental stimulus can last up to three hours after we wake up.*
How long should you nap for?
According to Kevin Morgan, professor of psychology and a sleep expert at the University of Loughborough in the UK, “Timing is key for the perfect power nap. If you are going to have a nap, make sure you do it in the mid-afternoon and don’t allow it to go on for longer than 20 minutes. Your body is going to be more accommodating of daytime sleep between 2pm and 4pm as this is when there is a dip in the circadian rhythm and our body temperature drops.”*
As always, water first.
Even if you don’t ascribe to taking a power nap while at work, always remember that drinking water throughout the day, taking a short break to refill your water bottle or water glass from your workplace water cooler, is a guaranteed way to boost flagging energy.
*source: from an article by Isabelle Gerretsen at the BBC
by Fern Shaw | Aug 12, 2024 | water cooler, Water Coolers
In honour of this year’s World Elephant Day, we thought it would be a good idea to highlight one of AquAid’s proudest affiliations – that of forming The Africa Trust – a charity whose CEO also designed an award-winning design water well, affectionally known as the Elephant Pump.
What is there to be proud about?
Design Awards
The Elephant Pump was awarded two prestigious awards in recognition of the pump’s technology, impact and reliability. The first was the World Bank Development Marketplace award for Water, Sanitation and Energy.
Next, the pump went on to win The St. Andrews Medal for the Environment, overcoming a record 260 entrants in the process.
Longevity
Based on a 2,000-year-old Chinese technique for lifting water, the Elephant Pump is inexpensive, simple to make and repair and made from locally available materials giving users a greater sense of ownership. Like the longevity of the elephant, of the 10,000 pumps installed, 95% are still in operation today – a figure 40% above the average for the continent.
Reach and Usage
To date, over 10,000 pumps have been built, servicing more than two million people in communities across Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
Each pump can produce up to 10,000 litres of potable water per day, supplying upwards of three hundred people in the village or community – who are now able to collect clean drinking water and water for productive use every day.
If you are interested in finding out how the easy installation of a water cooler translates into the installation of a safe water resource for a community, speak to us at AquAid – we’ll be delighted to assist.
by Fern Shaw | Aug 7, 2024 | water cooler, Water Coolers
In a previous part of this water dispenser series we looked at what constituted engaging conversation while gathered around the water cooler – or the ubiquitous ‘water cooler chats’.
In this, Part IV of this series, we’re edging into a slightly more topical area – that of what potentially could be appropriate water cooler topics to chat about versus what isn’t appropriate. In principle this guideline applies to all areas in the workplace but it’s more relevant as water cooler chat tends to be less formal and therefore relaxed (which is a good thing). However, when we’re more relaxed, the temptation to be more personal can potentially lead into deeper waters and put us at risk of water cooler chat faux pas.
We’re turning things upside down here and beginning with the potentially inappropriate first, in order to end on a good note.
Rather not:
- Don’t be a drama llama. Gossiping about colleagues or complaining about projects can create negativity and tension.
- Leave out the politicking and religion. These can be very divisive topics. It’s best to avoid them at work.
- Money & finances. Talking about salaries, debts or investments is generally not appropriate in a professional setting.
- Personal issues should remain personal. Avoid delving too deeply into personal problems or family issues.
- Avoid controversial social issues. There might be differing opinions, so it’s best to steer clear.
Better water cooler station banter:
- Pop Culture is a classic! Talk about new movies, binge-worthy shows, funny memes, or upcoming concerts.
- Talking about what your hobbies and interests are outside of work is a terrific way to connect with colleagues and discover shared passions.
- Local Events. Did a great new restaurant open in the area? Is there a fun festival happening this weekend? Chatting about local happenings is a wonderful way to connect.
- Discuss positive news stories, interesting scientific discoveries, or upcoming holidays. Avoid overly political or controversial topics.
- Food and drinks are a fantastic way to go. Make it seasonal to make it even better. Recommend a new restaurant you tried, share a favourite recipe, or broadcast where to find the best comfort food when it’s colder or favourite refreshing tipple or smoothie in the warmer months.
- Share your dream destinations or recent adventures. Most everyone enjoys travel stories.
When in doubt, it’s wise to err on the side of caution. Keep it light, positive and respectful of your colleagues’ backgrounds and beliefs.
by Fern Shaw | Aug 6, 2024 | Water Coolers, water dispenser
As we turn the page and see #BookLoversDay is coming up and with it the increased beat of the bibliophile’s heart, we wondered whether drinking water regularly benefits our ability to read better.
As it happens, while there isn’t direct scientific research linking water consumption solely to improved reading comprehension, the overall benefits of hydration on cognitive function strongly suggest a positive correlation. So, while drinking water won’t magically transform you into a book loving reader, it certainly contributes to creating an optimal environment for concentration and learning.
- Enhanced memory. Water plays a crucial role in brain function. Proper hydration supports overall brain function, including memory. By staying hydrated, you might find it easier to remember details and comprehend the material.
- Improved focus and concentration. Staying hydrated helps keep your mind sharp and focused, allowing you to better focus on and absorb information from the text.
- Less eye strain. Dry eyes can be uncomfortable and make reading difficult. Drinking water helps maintain overall bodily hydration, which can contribute to healthier eyes.
- Reduced fatigue. By drinking water often, you’re less likely to experience fatigue while reading, allowing for a more productive and enjoyable reading session.
So, next time you’re diving into a good book, make sure your water bottle is topped up or you can make a beeline to your water dispenser to replenish your glass of water.
Good hydration habits aside, if you’re not a fan of books and/or reading and still aren’t convinced, here’s a few facts collated by WinCalendar that may change your mind:
- Reading is a terrific way to relax and unwind. A study by the University of Sussex revealed that just six minutes of reading can reduce stress levels by 68%.
- A study by the Yale University School of Public Health found that book readers live an average of nearly two years longer than non-readers.
- The British Library in London is one of the largest libraries in the world, with a collection of over 170 million items spanning 3,000 years of human history.
- According to a survey by the Reading Agency, around 36% of adults in the UK read for at least 30 minutes per day, with most people (48%) preferring to read physical books rather than digital formats.
Happy Book Lovers Day!
by Fern Shaw | Jul 29, 2024 | water cooler, Water Coolers
As a blogista, one would imagine that I love the internet or the worldwide web. You’d be right. It’s packed to capacity with the most incredible information and makes research interesting, amusing, at times alarming and can turn one into a sniffer dog that any contraband sniffing beagle would envy – (all those leads!)
Some time ago, I read one of what I call, Snopes-worthy-at-a-glance chain *shudder* mails. Recently, while researching, I came across another take on the ice-cold water debate, one I hadn’t heard of before.
The First Drinking Ice Water Theory I read is that if you are all hot and bothered and need to cool down, instead of chug-a-lugging litres of brain freezingly cold water, you should rather drink room temperature water (which is disingenuous, because what if your ‘room’ at the time is an Arctic wasteland? Hmf!). The reason for this is that your body works hard to regulate your ‘core’ temperature. Picture the scene:
You’ve just vaulted up two flights of stairs wearing your spencer and Ugg boots. You get to the landing, leopard crawl down the corridor, reach your water dispenser station, roll onto your back underneath the water cooler, open the tap, a steady stream of water from source pouring refreshingly down your gullet. Now your body is hot. The water is cold. So, whereas you are hydrating your body, which is what your body is asking for, your body now must work double time to ‘heat up’ the water to your core temperature, which is baaad.
Or so the chain mail said. I am, (of course), paraphrasing (a lot).
I think, for this next one, I don’t have to draw a scenario for you.
The Second Drinking Ice Water Theory is just plain funny – ha ha and peculiar. According to this zinger and I’m quoting, “Drinking Ice Water after a meal … will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed. Once this ‘sludge’ reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food.”
Anyhow, so of the two, which is absolute Hogwarts (sorry!) hogwash and which, if any, of the two, have an element of truth in them?
I believe the answer to both is a ‘what’s good for you coupled with common sense’ thought process.
Personally I tend to believe the first theory – if our bodies are ‘normally’ at about 37C° and you’ve exerted yourself which means that your body temperature us higher; then with ice water being around 0C°, it would make sense that your body has to work harder to regulate the temperature of the cold water to, rather ironically, cool you down.
So, on this, I’d suggest that if you do decide to Rocky it up the stairs, dressed like Bradley Cooper in The Silver Linings Playbook, for reasons known only to you; by all means perch next to the water cooler, just don’t guzzle. Pour yourself a cup of cool water and drink it slowly.
As for the ‘sludge’ that ice water turns ‘the oily stuff’ into theory, I truly, for once, don’t have a comeback for this marvel of silly.
Keen on having chilled, cool, ambient temperature or even piping hot water available immediately? You need look no further than the UK’s leading water cooler supplier: AquAid. You’re welcome. Drink up!
by Fern Shaw | Jul 23, 2024 | water cooler, Water Coolers, water dispenser
As things heat up across the UK, so does the demand for chilled, refreshing drinking water.
At AquAid, where we’ve been in the business of providing a range of high quality water coolers and water, both spring and bottled at source, for over twenty years, we understand this more than most. That’s why it’s important to us to be able to ensure that we’re able to offer the very best in both water dispensers and bottled water.
But we’re not just about the provision on water coolers. We also firmly believe that providing water to those who may not necessarily have access to water as we do is vital.
If we struggle with keeping hydrated in this heat, take a minute and imagine what it would be like experiencing hot weather but not having access, not only to drinking water, but any water, at all. Sadly, this is a reality for millions of people around the globe, in many developing countries.
Then to this scary scenario add if you want water, you need to walk to find it. And not just down to the corner caf, but a few miles away. If you’re lucky enough to find a water source, you can’t just buy a bottle of water (or any liquid for that matter); you must fill the bucket you brought with you and walk back home, carrying the now full bucket.
The water that you’ve just fetched is most likely not safe to drink and may be so full of bacteria, that even while trying to hydrate yourself, you may very well be making yourself ill without even realising it.
This is the day-to-day existence for many communities throughout the Third World and in the summer months, lack of potable water is amplified by the heat.
That’s just one of the reasons, since our rather humble beginnings in 1998, that we chose to work with sustainable charities like The Africa Trust and Christian Aid. Using donations from AquAid, both charities work tirelessly implementing sustainable water projects for communities in need.
So, although we’re always tooting our own horn about being one of the top water dispenser providers in the U.K. we also (truly) believe in helping others less fortunate to help themselves. So, while we have you to thank, most valued customer, for your support and through your purchases making it possible for others to help themselves; isn’t it rather nice to know that when you’re sipping cool spring or bottled at source water from one of our water coolers, there’s another water well or water project being installed in Africa, bringing clean drinking water to yet another community in need?
We think so. Good on yer. Toot toot!
