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Healthy drinking in the workplace:how to improve your drinkinggedrag

Water serves as a cell building material, as a solvent and transporter in the metabolism, to regulate the acid-base balance and to regulate the body temperature. If you drink too little, you risk not only fatigue, concentration problems and headaches, but also dizziness, confusion or even reduced body functions.

Drink according to body weight

Healthy adults should drink enough water according to their body weight. This is the only way to reliably support all bodily functions. As a rule of thumb, an adult person needs about 30 to 40 milliliters per kilogram of body weight per day. That is, for example, a person who weighs 60 kilograms should drink 1.8 to 2.4 liters per day.

Liquid requirement increases with heat

If you are physically demanding or if the outside temperature is high, it is even more important to drink enough. Because when you sweat, the body uses the evaporation cold of water to cool the skin and keep the body temperature constant. When you sweat, important minerals such as potassium and magnesium as well as sodium chloride, or table salt, are washed out with the body fluids.

Tips for healthy drinking in the workplace

Just three percent fluid loss can lead to a significant loss of performance. That is why it is especially important in the workplace to drink enough. For healthy drinking behavior you should take the following into account:

  • Drink before you get thirsty
  • Always have a water bottle to hand
  • Introduce “drinking rituals”:​​a glass of water with every meal; Stop at the water dispenser or drinks machine on your way to the copier
  • Use apps or online services that remind you to drink
  • Bring enough water for commuting and business trips
  • Provide variety:sometimes water, sometimes tea, sometimes milk
  • Flavor the water with mint leaves or enrich it with fresh lemon juice – the juice also provides important mineral salts and vitamins
  • Eat fruits and vegetables that contain a lot of moisture, such as watermelons and cucumbers as often as possible