We’ve had a very hot summer so far, and while we’re all familiar with the ‘drink eight glasses of water a day’ guide, there are times when this intake is not sufficient for our bodies and we need to head to our water coolers or instant taps more frequently to increase the amount of water we drink. Here are four instances where the average advice of 8-a-day is not enough and we should make drinking water more of a priority.
- Environment
Along with changes in climate come changes in bodily function and water requirements. In summer, hot weather increases our rate of perspiration while in the cooler winter months, indoor heating causes our skin to lose more moisture. Changes in altitude also affect our system which means we need to replenish our fluid reserves accordingly.
- Exercise
When we exercise we perspire and we need to drink more water to compensate for that loss of fluid. If you choose to work out during your lunch hour or just after work, be sure to fill up your water bottle at the water coolers or instant taps in your breakout area before you leave – drinking water throughout your work-out will ensure you stave off dehydration and perform better.
- Illness
Fluid loss is unavoidable with certain illnesses particularly fever, vomiting or diarrhea so it’s essential that we up our intake of drinking water during this time – it’s also a good thing to remember if you’re suffering from a headache, very often it’s a sign of dehydration and not a sign of something more serious so it’s always good to drink a glass of water first before assuming the worst.
- Pregnancy or breast-feeding
They say that a pregnant body at rest works harder than a non-pregnant body climbing a mountain, which explains why all forms of fuel (whether it be food, rest or water) should be increased to compensate for the extra energy expended, and this applies to nursing mothers as well – it’s suggested that pregnant women drink around 10 cups a day and breastfeeding mothers around 13 cups.
If you’re wanting to supplement your water sources at the office, remember that AquAid have a full range of bottled and mains fed water coolers to choose from, along with a choice of very popular instant taps – sleek, efficient and cost-effective alternatives to other water points in your breakout area.
