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!
by Fern Shaw | Jul 18, 2024 | water cooler, water cooler, Water Coolers
With summer on the horizon and school holidays looming, it’s about that time where many Britons are prepping for the journey that will get them to their holiday destination.
Whether it’s to calm the nerves, get your holiday started en route or because it’s your custom to have a tipple when you fly, many of us indulge pre and during flight. Whatever the reasons, imbibing alcohol inflight isn’t a good idea, at all. Here’s why:
Flying already puts a strain on the body. With increased altitude comes decreased air pressure. This decreases the concentration of oxygen in the air and results in reduced oxygen in our lungs and bloodstream.
Aircraft cabins are typically dry environments. Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it increases urine production, which can contribute to dehydration. This can exacerbate the effects of alcohol and lead to headaches and other discomforts.
Although a glass of wine, beer or spirits might seem like a good relaxant, alcohol has an adverse effect on sleep quality. Even at sea level, alcohol has been shown to elevate heart rates, which can interfere with REM sleep and disrupt cardiovascular relaxation.*
Some studies suggest that drinking alcohol and then sleeping on a flight might lower blood oxygen levels and increase heart rate, potentially putting extra strain on the cardiovascular system.
If that casual in-flight drink isn’t something you’re quick to forgo, a few tips to minimise impacts on overall health and sleep.
If you choose to drink, do so responsibly and in moderation. Take short walks around the cabin to improve circulation and prevent blood clots. Most importantly, drink plenty of water throughout the flight to counteract the dehydrating effects of alcohol and the dry cabin air.
*source: Article by Leah Worthington on National Geographic
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.
