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Drinking Water Improves Job Performance

Drinking Water Improves Job Performance

Post By: Celeste McLaughlin, Ergonomics Manager
Produced by: Solutions Northwest, Inc. (Ergonomics Experts serving Washington, Oregon, and California)
Ergonomics Tips: Drinking Water Improves Job Performance
Drinking Water Improves Job Performance

“If you’ve noticed more joint pain and stiffness as you’ve gotten older, you may be overlooking a critical cause that most people don’t realize can affect joint health: hydration (or lack thereof).”  Dr. Williams

The water cooler is your friend. Whether you’re sitting in an office or walking the floor of a warehouse, you should always stay hydrated at work. Water will not only keep you from being thirsty, it will also provide you with health benefits and help keep you and your workers productive at work.

Learn how drinking water helps you become a better worker and just how much water should you should drink.

The benefits of water

According to organicfacts.net, the health benefits of drinking water include “the maintenance of energy levels, body temperature, metabolism, and breathing. It helps in the prevention of constipation, heartburn, migraines, gastritis, ulcers, kidney stones, cardiovascular disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, backaches, and osteoporosis.” Water also plays important roles in kidney function and skin care.

The key takeaway is that water can help you boost your energy. It may be time to consider switching from the daily coffee or energy drink to focusing on staying hydrated for that extra energy boost at work.

How much water should you drink per day?

Consuming half your body weight in ounces of water every day is recommended. For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, you should drink 75 oz. (7 ½ cups) of water every day. If it’s hot, or you are exercising you should up your water intake. When drinking something dehydrating such as a caffeinated drink or a glass of alcohol, it is recommended to drink 1.5 oz. of water for every oz. of caffeinated drink or alcohol you’ve consumed.

Remember, you don’t have to pour a glass of water to consume water, as 20% of our water intake can be fulfilled by a proper diet rich in fruits and vegetables.

How do you know if you’re not getting enough water?

If you experience any of these symptoms, try drinking more water:

  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • Lightheadedness
  • Dark under eye circles
  • Dry mouth
  • Dry skin
  • Constipation
  • Dizziness
  • Irritability and confusion
  • Dark colored urine
  • Heat exhaustion
  • Kidney stones
  • Rapid heart beat
  • Shriveled dry skin which lacks elasticity

In Conclusion

Drink plenty of water at work. Water is usually provided by most employers for free and is much cheaper than coffee (if you must buy it bottled). If there are no water coolers in your workplace, speak with an office administrator or supervisor to see if management will install one for you. Remember to always consult with your doctor to rule out a possible underlying cause of pain at work.

Hopefully these ergonomics tips can help keep your workplace a safe work place. For more guidance on all work related health and safety issues, visit SolutionsNW.com or Contact Us for more information.

Be sure to subscribe to our blog for more ergonomics tips from Solutions Northwest Inc., ergonomics consultants located in Washington State, Northern California, Oregon, Seattle, Olympia, Tacoma, and Portland.

 

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Sleeping Habits for Better Job Performance

Sleeping Habits for Better Job Performance

By Celeste McLaughlin, Ergonomics Manager
Solutions Northwest, Inc. – Arcata, California

According to a recent Gallup Poll: Americans currently average 6.8 hours of sleep at night and 40% of Americans get less than the recommended amount of sleep. Medical studies have related a lack of sleep to health problems and cognitive impairment. Therefore, experts typically recommend 7 to 9 hours of sleep for adults.

Lack of sleep will undermine your quality of life as well as disrupt your work productivity.

5 signs that lack of sleep may be affecting your job performance:

1. Decreased communication.
2. Performance deteriorates.
3. Increased number of errors.
4. Poor cognitive assimilation and memory.

5. Inability to think flexibly and make adjustments.

Sleep deprivation in the work place will affect productivity levels and quality of work will be compromised. Furthermore, the likelihood of workplace accidents increases when workers are tired.

If you work an irregular shift, such as a rotating shift or night shift, you may need special guidance on how to establish healthy sleeping patterns. Try our recent article with Tips to Survive the Night Shift.

If you work normal hours, the Mayo Clinic recommends these 5 steps for a better night’s sleep:

1. Stick to a sleep schedule.
2. Pay attention to what you eat and drink.
3. Create a restful environment at home.
4. Limit daytime naps.
5. Include physical activity in your daily routine.


Hopefully some of these tips will help your sleeping habits and increase your work productivity. Remember to always listen to your body and be sure to consult with your doctor for more information.
For more guidance on all things ergonomics, visit SolutionsNW.com or Contact Us for more information.


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