The average adult human brain weighs around 1.4 kg, measures 1,300 cubic centimetres and accounts for around 2% of body weight.
However, the most important statistic as far as the brain is concerned is that it is composed of almost 75% water.
It should come as no surprise, then, that hydration is key to maintaining healthy brain function, especially focus and mental acuity.
In fact, without water, alertness dips, concentration plummets and headaches can ensue.
Having a ready supply of potable water is, therefore, essential for keeping everyone on top of their mental game.
Water on Tap
Having a ready supply of water available via a water dispenser can be a lifesaver, but choosing the right one for your home or business is important.
Different types of dispensers have different roles to play, and some are more suitable than others in different settings.
The main types are:
- Bottled Water Dispensers: Usually loaded from the top (but bottom loaders are available), the water is delivered via a large bottle. Cold, hot, and ambient water can typically be supplied by a bottle-based system.
- Mains-Fed Water Dispensers: Often the most convenient type of hydration system for many people, as they provide a continuous supply of filtered, cold, hot, ambient, and sparkling water by drawing on a building’s main water supply..
- Countertop / Tabletop Water Dispensers: A versatile option if you don’t want to go the whole hog of installing and renting a water dispenser. Often used where water needs are limited and filtration is important.
- Drinking Water Fountains: An old-school option that is plumbed-in to the mains supply, and is also hands-free and therefore ideal for high-traffic areas.
Healthy Habits
As with everything we put in our bodies, moderation is key when it comes to water.
That means not taking on too much – or too little – but keeping the body’s water levels just topped enough up throughout the day to stay focused and healthy.
A water dispenser serves a purpose here by giving people ready access to fresh, potable water they can sip without overloading their systems.
In fact, a central hub where water is available means that people don’t have to load up on water from a large drinking bottle, but can sip at their convenience.
Hormone Balance
Dehydration is a big cause of cortisol imbalance.
Cortisol is a stress hormone which, when released by the body, leads to heightened levels of anxiety and irritability.
A water dispenser can help keep out-of-whack emotions in check in a workplace or educational setting by providing hydration.
Lower levels of stress mean better emotional stability and less tension among workers, colleagues and classmates.
Energy Boost
Water has a vital role to play in regulating the body’s energy.
While it doesn’t deliver that sugar hit we associate with an energy boost, water is a vital enabler of the body’s main energy carrier – glucose.
By facilitating cellular metabolism, water allows glucose to travel to the parts of the body that need it, helping individuals maintain energy levels.
Indeed, without proper hydration, energy production will slow to a trickle, causing lethargy, mental fog and fatigue.
Water Fountains
Water dispensers also have an important social role to play in many organisations, helping to foster good relations and the mental well-being of workers.
You’re probably familiar with the term ‘water cooler moment’.
The phrase is suggestive of the collectivism and conviviality that ensues when groups of people crowd around a workplace feature like a water dispenser or fountain to chew the fat.
It’s easy to overlook how important these little shared moments can be in bringing people together and giving them a sense of collective purpose in an organisation.
Conclusion
Water dispensers are easily overlooked, but they play a vital role in allowing people to stay hydrated and focused.
Indeed, getting hydration right is half the battle when it comes to keeping people emotionally stable and feeling at the top of their game.