by Fern Shaw | Oct 7, 2024 | water cooler, Water Coolers, water dispenser
World Teachers’ Day is dedicated to celebrating the invaluable contributions of teachers to our society. Their role extends far beyond the classroom – shaping minds, nurturing potential and inspiring generations to come.
Why are Teachers so Important?
Foundational Knowledge: Teachers are the architects of young minds. They impart essential knowledge, skills and values that form the foundation for a child’s future.
Nurturing Growth: Beyond academics, teachers create a supportive environment that fosters personal and social development. They encourage critical thinking, problem-solving and creativity.
Adapting to Change: In an ever-evolving world, teachers must continuously adapt their teaching methods to meet the needs of diverse learners and embrace new technologies.
Inspiration and Motivation: Teachers have the power to inspire students to reach their full potential. By fostering a love for learning and encouraging curiosity, they help students develop a lifelong passion for knowledge.
At AquAid we provide water dispensers to educational facilities from pre-schools, primary & high schools, academies through to colleges and universities across the UK. We hope you will join us as we express our appreciation and gratitude for everything that teachers do!
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 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 | May 14, 2024 | water cooler, Water Coolers, water dispenser
There’s no avoiding it. Work an eight-hour (or longer) day and you’ll have to stop to eat at some point. Be it a questionable sandwich or a lavish lunch, workers need grub. But what should you eat to achieve maximum results? And is skipping lunch to reply to those e-mails really such a bad thing? In this two-part series, we have a look at both sides.*
Eating in the office canteen is good for you. In Finland, at least.
The Finnish have done a lot of research into workplace eating habits. One study by the Finnish National Institute for Health and Welfare found that workers who ate in office cafeterias, compared to those who brought in packed lunches, were eating more fruit and vegetables. This has a lot to with the fact that in Finland, food provided in canteens must meet national nutritional guidelines.
To be sure, the wisdom of eating in a canteen does depend on the quality of what’s on the menu. Staff interviewed at Barnsley Borough Council in London described the food in their cafeteria as ‘stodgy’ and more suited to those performing manual work.
Skipping lunch is bad for you.
As explained in his book about workplace eating habits, Christopher Wanjek found that workers who skip lunch are more stressed, less productive and only end up snacking in the afternoon anyway.
The endless cycle of bad nutrition and low national productivity.
Poor eating choices affect productivity. In fact, it causes this shame spiral:
There’s a lot that has gone into this debate. In Part II, we’ll thrash this out further. For now, at least one thing is crystal – keeping yourself hydrated at work can only be good for you.
While we wait for the next instalment, remember to repeatedly recharge your water glass or water bottle using your desktop water dispenser or zeroing in on your floor-standing water cooler.
*source: from an article in Quartz.
by Fern Shaw | Jan 31, 2024 | water cooler, water dispenser
- Eco-Friendly
By using a water cooler dispenser, you are helping to protect our environment. We use billions of individual plastic water bottles each year and millions end up in our rubbish each day. By drinking water from a reusable water bottle and refilling our water bottles using water from dispensed from a water cooler, we can significantly reduce this number. This means that you can still enjoy the convenience of having water with you at all times and be safe in the knowledge that you are lessening the harmful impact on the environment.
- Saves Money
While the upfront cost of purchasing a water cooler may seem pricy initially, over time you can expect to see significant savings. Water coolers offer an economical way to drink more water. Instead of purchasing many disposable water bottles, you can save money by buying large bottles for your dispenser. If you’re using a mains fed water cooler dispenser, you can also expect to see significant savings.
- Perfect Temperature
Many water dispensers are fitted with hot and cold water taps. Chilled water is perfect for a constant supply of refreshing drinking water. The hot water tap offers a quick, convenient way to make tea, coffee, soup, hot chocolate or any hot drink. For added convenience AquAid also offer a range of coolers that dispense ambient temperature water.
- Attractive Appearance
When most of us imagine a water cooler, we picture a machine that doesn’t hold much appeal and won’t complement our kitchen, reception or office areas. Fortunately, this stereotype is no longer true. AquAid’s range of water coolers are available in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and materials. Common finishes include black, white, silver and stainless steel.
- Perfect Size
If you’re concerned about where you would put a new water cooler, you need not worry. AquAid has a range of high-quality water coolers, in varying shapes and sizes, so you can choose a unit that’s sure to fit perfectly in your space. Available models include a free-standing water cooler or a desktop ( table top) water cooler. Free-standing units are typically larger and are better suited for use in areas where there is more floor space. In contrast, desktop (countertop) water dispensers are usually more compact and are ideal for use in smaller spaces.
Look out for Part II to find out more about the other benefits a water cooler provides.
by Fern Shaw | Nov 14, 2023 | mains fed water cooler, water cooler, Water Coolers, water dispenser
The majority of people are under the impression that dehydration is something that happens only to athletes. The truth is that it happens to everyone, across all lifestyles and of all ages. Athletes just experience dehydration faster, with signs that are more visible.
Whether it is during a long walk to the office or during physical training, our body heats up when it works hard. To try to cool your body down enough to prevent heat stroke and to reduce core temperature, our bodies have to perspire. The perspiration evaporates to assist the body to reduce temperature. The drawback is that during warmer weather or constantly being in heated environments the perspiration is not efficient, and your body continues to sweat to try to reduce heat. As a result, dehydration accelerates.
There are a few tips that can assist you in avoiding dehydration during your exercise and fitness training and daily life. The most important tip is to keep hydrated, and not to wait until you are thirsty.
Drink water often, and at regular intervals. By the time you feel thirsty, you are already short of close to 1.5 litres of body fluids. It can take over a full day to recover from that type of dehydration. If you continue to work, train or exercise without sufficient hydration, your body can suffer from heat stroke. Dehydration affects everyone however; it usually affects unfit, elderly adults and overweight individuals far more quickly.
About 0.5L of water 1-2 hours before your exercise should assist you to stay cool, increase your performance and reduce your risk of heat stroke and dehydration dramatically. Avoid coffee, teas and any drink with alcohol in it, as these will cause you to urinate more often, and increase your fluid loss. Remember that after your exercise, long walk or strenuous activity to drink lots of water. Do this as soon as possible to give your body the help that it needs to recover.
Need access to a constant supply of refreshing drinking water but don’t currently have a water dispenser?
There is an easy solution. Contact AquAid’s experienced and professional in-house agents. We offer a free on-site survey to assess your water dispenser requirements. This obligation-free service helps establish whether you are best served installing bottled or mainsfed water coolers.