by Fern Shaw | Mar 11, 2013 | Health and Hydration, Water Coolers
Various campaigns and studies to do with schools and drinking water conducted over the last decade or so have produced a mixed bag of results.
One thing is clear though – a hydrated child is a much happier child for a number of reasons. This fact, combined with you, as the parents, leading by example and the schools ensuring that drinking water is readily available makes for a holistic approach to hydration. Here are a few examples of why:
It boosts learning
- The key to boosting the capacity to learn is to keep well hydrated throughout the day.
- When we are thirsty, mental performance including memory, attention and concentration can decrease by about 10 per cent. Pupils concentrate better because they are not distracted by the effects of dehydration such as thirst, tiredness and irritability.
- Children will achieve more when both their health and learning needs are met. Ensuring free access to water and promoting a regular water intake throughout the school day is a vital role for schools in promoting health and providing a healthy learning environment.
It’s healthy!
- Drinking adequate amounts of water regularly throughout the day can protect health and contribute to well-being.
- Drinking adequate amounts of water can help prevent a range of short and long-term health problems from headaches, bladder, kidney and bowel problems to cancer.
- Water has none of the health problems associated with drinks containing sugar, additives, sweeteners, acids or caffeine.
Parents?
- By keeping yourself hydrated, you teach your children good drinking habits. Good for them, good for you.
- By checking that your children’s school has toilets that you would use and that there are sufficient drinking points (not only in the toilets), you’re working your way towards ensuring that your children can easily hydrate.
And for the school?
- As children spend the majority of their day at school, it is very important that the school provides fresh drinking water.
- Various studies have shown that schools that lead by example and encourage their children to keep hydrated show a marked improvement in overall attention given as well as learning capabilities.
- A child who is not irritable because of dehydration means that teachers are able to better teach their pupils.
AquAid have, for many years, been involved in campaigns spearheading the importance of drinking water.
We know it is of vital importance.
To this end, we ensure that we have a wide selection of water coolers that are installed into schools, gyms and learning centres across the country. When we install a water cooler in a school, we have individual water bottles available to encourage the children to fill their water bottles throughout the day.
Our water coolers can either be mains fed for large schools where the water consumption is high, or for schools where there are no water mains close to a particular area, bottled water coolers can be installed and replaced on scheduled intervals.
by Fern Shaw | Feb 27, 2013 | Charity
Always up for keeping people hydrated and being able to have access to clean drinking water globally in far-flung regions,
AquAid, through H2O International SA, a South African water purifier and filter company, has recently become a supporter of a rather marvellous non-profit organisation called the Wishing Well International Foundation.
We’ve achieved this by donating 2 Hydraid® BioSand water filters to those in dire need of clean drinking water. The Hydraid® BioSand filter is effective as it is simple to install, simple to operate and works for all water sources. H2O International SA, who founded the organisation in South Africa, will provide support for deploying the units.
We’re delighted to know that our donation will allow 2 families of four to have safe drinking water for up to 10 years and having clean drinking water, will mean fewer water-borne illnesses, therefore less money spent on medication, which will allow more productivity from the family members, which in turn will translate into a better ability to earn income for the family.
We strongly believe that business is in the best position to shape our children’s future and this is what encouraged us to support both H20 International SA and the WWIF. We believe that together, little by little, we are making a difference.
by Fern Shaw | Jan 30, 2013 | Water Coolers
Drinking sufficient water increases employee productivity and employee wellness is an important issue for companies both big and small.
Did you know that employees not performing at their best may be dehydrated? According to health news, scientific evidence between cognitive performance and dehydration is strong and continues to grow. It’s believed that the more hydrated you stay throughout the day the more constructive you are.
There are other benefits to the company and employees alike:
- Improved productivity – A water cooler will constantly supply cooled fresh water – a jug in the fridge has to be constantly refilled from a tap. People have to wait for the kettle to boil.
- Reduced electricity consumption – A water cooler or water boiler means water-on-tap from a central point as opposed to constantly opening and closing the fridge door or repeatedly switching the kettle on.
- Reducing water wastage – There’s always ‘that’ person who will not fully close the tap or who overfills the kettle. A water cooler or boiler eliminates this problem.
- Healthier employees – Having cool, fresh water on ‘tap’ can encourage people to drink water in place of fizzy or energy drinks which can actually lead to dehydration, whereas a hydrated person will be more healthy, happy and more productive.
Install a water cooler for your office to keep employees hydrated. Using a water dispenser keeps employees awake, alert, healthy, and less fatigued. Why not give your employees the opportunity to fill up their water bottle throughout the day. It’s better for them, and as a result, better for you.
by Fern Shaw | Dec 12, 2012 | Water Boilers
Coffee is one of those substances that have both good and bad stories written up about it all the time.
What’s the Good skinny? (No, not a skinny, latte, mocha, silly story).
- Coffee does contain antioxidants. But better to not rely on this as your only source of antioxidants. Antioxidants can be found in other yummy sources like blueberries, cherries, & pomegranates as well as a variety of legumes.
- It may have some protective qualities against a variety of cancers and Alzheimer’s disease.
- The caffeine in it is stimulating and releases dopamine (your body’s ‘happy’ enzyme) … which is the main reason why people drink it.
- Boosts your short term memory.
What’s the Bad skinny?
- Mainly because of its stimulating effects, it has been found to aggravate stress and anxiety.
- Other psychological and physical problems including rapid heart rate, higher pulse and blood pressure, and inability to sleep.
- It is also mildly addictive and withdrawal – depending of course, on how many cups you drink in 12 hours or so, can lead to painful headaches.
What one needs to keep in mind when it comes to consumption of any liquids and foodstuffs, is the age old maxim, ‘Everything in Moderation’.
So, whereas a cup o’ Java to kick start your day (hopefully after you’ve eaten something solid) is a good thing; roaring through your day bolstered up on cream or full milk laden coffees or lattés will completely counteract the wonderful effects of coffee and just turn you into a blob. Remember to always counter your cups of coffee with a glass of water as keeping hydrated is vastly important.
by Fern Shaw | Dec 6, 2012 | Charity
And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity ~ King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
The end of the year is drawing closer and there is so much thought given to the peace, joy and season of giving that is Christmas.
So, while most of us are feeling all warm and fuzzy about giving, let’s spare a thought about how one can truly be charitable this festive season (and beyond).
By you drinking water.
Yep, before you think we’ve lost our marbles, it really can be as simple as that. Keeping yourself hydrated can actually ‘give’ to others. Give safe, clean, drinking water. Which can mean a child out there in desperate need of your charity, doesn’t have to die from dehydration or contaminated water.
Which means being able to keep the children hydrated, so that they can :-
- Concentrate when they go to school.
- So that they can learn.
- So that they can educate others on the importance of having clean water to drink.
We at AquAid founded The Africa Trust. With a donation for each water cooler sold, this money goes towards building another Elephant Pump in a rural community in the Third World. A charity that truly gives. (And keeps on giving).
Doesn’t that make you feel all warm and fuzzy? Of course it does!
A very Merry Christmas to you.
