Health

Why it could be more important to have clean water at work and at school

Home cleanliness and safety are priorities for most families and working professionals. We make sure that our home and water are clean. Some even install under sink water filtration systems in the kitchen so that the water will be free from most contaminants. This way, the whole family will be safe and they’re sure that the water is safe for drinking and other household use.

However, many forget that there are also risks in school and workplace. The risks could be even far greater because we actually spend most of our waking hours there. We are spending at least 8 hours almost every day in school or workplace. At our homes, many of us spend most of the time sleeping.

That’s why schools, offices, and other commercial areas now are also installing under sink water filters. This is to ensure that the water is safe and clean for students and employees. This is important because many of us spend most of our time at work or at school.

We are also more active during study and work time

At home, we could be active once in a while or every now and then. But for students and employees, they are more active at school or office. It’s likely they are spending most of their physical and mental energy on studying or working.

That means our physiological processes will be more active during those times. Our brains and bodies will run faster. We will need a consistent supply of energy and our bodies will be producing a lot of waste. All those biochemical processes will require a balance of fluid in our bodies.

This results to having the need to stay hydrated at those busy times. It’s different from drinking coffee or sweet beverages. They will actually be a burden to our system because our bodies need to continuously process them to get them out of our bloodstream. But if we stay hydrated by regularly drinking water, our bodies will function normally and our energies will be directed more towards our work or study.

How to have a steady supply of clean water at work or at school

This is a challenge because we often forget to drink water. One reason is it’s a hurdle to get a glass or bottle of water. The place may be lacking drinking fountains and other sources of potable water.

To address these issues, we can start by regularly bringing a stainless water bottle with us as we go to work or school. Managers can also install under sink water filters and drinking fountains near the work stations so employees can stay hydrated all day long.

Both the students and working professionals will benefit from the setup. They can have a steady supply of clean water. Each day, they can stay productive and focused because their bodies are functioning properly. In the long term, their health will also improve because they will rely less on sweet beverages and other unhealthy drinks. They will drink more water and stay healthy as a result.

How to Automatically Choose Water Over Sugary Drinks

There’s so much talk about the effects of sugary drinks (and high-sugar foods) to the human body. Many researchers and scientists have also published their findings about how a high-sugar diet can make us more susceptible to various diseases. The evidence and data are already piling.

But no matter how obvious is it that regularly drinking sugary drinks is not good for our body, we still see all around us reaching for that can of soda. Why is that the case?

Sugary drinks are a default choice for many

One reason is that soft drinks are widely available. Whenever people get thirsty and they go inside a convenience store, the first thing they see is that can or bottle of soda. In addition, some workplaces and many public areas don’t have enough drinking fountains around. When we get thirsty, we will reach out for the easiest solution and often it’s buying a can of soda at the store.

Relying on our own willpower is not enough. What really works is we make it “automatic” so we won’t ever think about it. This way, it becomes a part of our habit and we maintain our good health in the process. But how do we accomplish that?

Ways on how to make drinking more water habitual

One easy way is to tie it in with an existing habit (the cue). It’s the same with encouraging kids to “brush their teeth after eating.” If you tie in the new habit with an old one, it becomes easier to adopt.

Here’s a scenario. Before you go to work or school, you can fill out a stainless water bottle and bring it with you right after brushing your teeth. If you are regularly jogging, you can set the drinking fountain to be your last destination before you get back home.

In public places and during outdoor events, officials and coordinators can put up drinking fountains and water refill stations around. This is important especially if the community or event promote healthy practices. This way, the whole place or event will be aligned with the agenda.

Here’s another scenario. Before you get into your car for a long travel, have a stainless water bottle with you. Make sure it’s washed and filled with clean water. Add it to your checklist whenever you’re going for an extended trip.

A bigger picture for drinking more water

Staying hydrated with clean water will benefit you and your family. In addition, there are benefits that extend to the community and even to the society as a whole.

If you’re getting the water repeatedly from a drinking fountain or reusable water bottle, think of how you’re helping the environment. You won’t be contributing anymore to the plastic wastes in the landfill. Do that every day and it will make a difference in the long run.

Can Water Boost Your Short-Term Memory?

Do you find yourself struggling to remember new information?

You may classify yourself as having a weak memory, but the real reason for your ineffective memory could be largely due to your diet. It’s been well documented that a rich diet can remedy ineffective memories. From leafy greens, berries, fish, nuts, and olive oil – these foods have been known to prevent Alzheimer’s and reduce the effects of aging on the brain.

But what about water? Can you use water to boost your short-term memory?

A recent study coming out of Britain suggests the answer to this question is a resounding yes. This is the case because the study finds that even the slightest cases of dehydration are linked to impaired attention and a severe decrease in memory.

 

How was the study conducted?

Researchers subjected 101 college students to a series of memory tests, on three separate occasions, during which they were either given 300 millilitres of water or forced to go without.

The goal was to compare and contrast how those without water performed relative to those who drank water.

 

What were the results of the study?

The results of the study discovered that those who were forced to go without water found the series of memory tests to be more difficult to complete, compared to the individuals who had access to 300 millilitres of water.

 

What does this mean?

The results of the study go to show that a lack of water has a profound effect on our thinking and memory – we need to constantly hydrate our body in order to get the best out of our mind.

This is the case because our brains are constantly working – it’s working throughout the day on a variety of different tasks, from problem solving to connecting ideas to examining situations. Its ability to perform these tasks and many more is contingent on you hydrating your mind and body. The more hydrated you are, the better you will perform because water allows your brain to easily access and retrieve information.

 

Conclusion:

If you’re in college or working a job that demands a lot of thinking and mental power, make sure to have an adequate supply of water nearby – make it a habit to use the office water coolers while you work. After all, your brain performs more efficiently and effectively when it’s fully hydrated – water allows your brain to think faster, increase its focus, and experience increased clarity and creativity – not to mention increase it’s ability to remember information.

Why Chronic Dehydration is a Serious Issue

Your body needs food in order to survive, but it also needs water. While there is some water available in foods, your body needs more than that to stave off dehydration. Your body requires water to function effectively which results in water loss. To remain healthy, you must replace this water.

When your water intake is not equal to your water loss, you can become dehydrated. Chronic dehydration can affect many parts of your body:

  • Your organs, possibly leading to kidney stones
  • It can cause cholesterol problems
  • Constipation can be a result of dehydration
  • It can cause liver, muscle and joint damage
  • It can even be a life-threatening condition.

Fluid losses are more likely to occur in:

  • Warmer climates and seasons
  • During strenuous exercises
  • At high altitudes, and
  • In older adults or anyone whose sense of thirst is not as keen.

What dehydration does to the body

Dehydration upsets the body’s delicate balance, and can cause the following malfunctions:

  • When your body is dehydrated, it is more difficult for it to control its temperature
  • Dehydration can lead to a lowering of the volume of blood that is in your circulatory system. This means your heart has to work overtime to get the nutrients and oxygen to your extremities, organs, and brain. Thinking becomes tougher, and fatigue sets in faster
  • Dehydration can prevent the body from making enough saliva, which leads to bad breath and cavities
  • Dry skin is another side effect of dehydration
  • Muscle cramps occur due to changes in your electrolytes, sodium and potassium
  • Fever and chills are often the body’s way of signalling a dehydrated condition
  • Food cravings are a definite sign of dehydration
  • Headaches can also result from dehydration.

The answer to dehydration

Easy and convenient access to safe drinking water encourages people to stay hydrated. Drinking fountains, water cooler dispensers, office water coolers, refillable water bottles, and refillable water bottle stations are all great answers to the dehydration issue. Aquafil Water Refill Stations and Drinking Fountains have a range of products to help keep dehydration at bay. Get in contact now!

Surprising Benefits of Water: 3 Things You Need to Know

No doubt most adults have heard time and again the benefits of drinking water throughout the day. The human body runs on, and even craves, pure water and in fact is made up of water; on average, the adult body is made up of between 57 percent and 60 percent water. Staying hydrated helps the world play longer, work more efficiently, and feel more refreshed. But there are surprising benefits of water that may be news to many.

Youthful Skin

Drinking 8 or more glass of water per day can make skin more hydrated, smooth, and less flaky. Skin also acts as a barrier to protect fluids from being lost. Water is good for the skin, so drink up!

Healthy Heart

When the body receives an adequate amount of water each day, blood circulation increases, allowing the body to get rid of toxins. With sufficient hydration, cells do not have to rely on the blood system for water, allowing that vital organ to work properly. Raise a glass to a healthy heart!

Bigger Wallet

It is hard to fathom that bottled water is consumed at almost 62 billion gallons per year on a global level. That number equates to not only money wasted, but plastic bottles filling up landfills all over the world as well. Why pay more than you have to for something so readily available?

Aquafil can provide solutions to offices, businesses, and tourism locations with office water coolers, a cost effective and convenient way to change water habits everywhere. These eco-friendly solutions ensure fresh drinking water is always available to employees and guests without making a negative impact on the environment. Aquafil water coolers encourage the use of reusable water containers while also providing what the body needs to function at an optimal level.

Office Water Coolers: A Practical Solution for the Workplace

There are many options today when it comes time to decide what to drink, especially in a fast-paced society where people are often busy and rushed. It may seem easier to stop and grab a soda or a bottled beverage, but those are not the healthiest or most beneficial options. The beverage our body requires to continue functioning at a maximum level and at its full potential comes from the earth itself and is not only refreshing, but required for good health: water.

Although drinking water is a better option than consuming soda, bottled water can actually cause more damage that we realise. The dangerous chemical inside the plastic, the waste that crowds landfills as bottles continue to accumulate, and the money wasted are all reasons to move toward a different solution: office water coolers.

A Solution for the Office

Employees today are busy and often pulled in different directions and may not always be mindful of how much water should be consumed each day. An easy solution to this challenge is a water cooler dispenser; beyond providing safe drinking water, it also makes water taste great and refreshing. Office Water coolers can also serve to encourage employees to utilise reusable solutions when it comes to water bottles as opposed to a disposable option, which will ultimately end up in landfill or waterway.

What other benefits can an office reap when investing in a water cooler?

  • Less waste
  • Cost savings-no more purchasing water bottles for the office
  • Healthier options for all-replace soda machines with water coolers
  • Eco-friendly

Office water coolers from Aquafil offer a smarter way to provide a healthy option to employees and guests. With an easy installation and setup process, the choice is easy. To find out more, contact Aquafil today.

Reusable Water Bottles Save More than Money

Most people are aware of the health benefits of drinking water on a regular basis. It provides the body with necessary hydration, it can help ward off headaches, and it helps to clean out the body. There are other factors to consider when choosing a vessel for this necessary element of life, including the cost and the impact on the environment. There are alternatives to disposable water bottles which can lead to better health and a more beautiful world.

Count the Cost                                                                                                                                                            

Australians spend more than $500 million on bottled water each year, which equals out to 700 times more (per 500ml of bottled water) than paying for tap water. That money could be saved simply by switching to a refillable and reusable water bottles filled from a water cooler or drinking fountain.

Care for the Earth                                                                                                                                                          

Perhaps the biggest impact comes at the expense of the environment when plastic water bottles are thrown in the trash; not only do these bottles take hundreds of years to break down, but in the process, they fill bodies of water and trash landfills with unnecessary waste.

Cut Dangerous Chemicals                                                                                                                                                                       

After testing 18 samples of bottled water from around the world, German researchers found that over 20,000 chemicals were found in just one bottle. These chemicals have been found to lead to significant health issues, including interference with hormone receptors.                                                                                                                                                                   

Utilising filtered water coolers are a healthy and cost-saving alternative to plastic water bottles; harmful chemicals present in the bottles are avoided, landfills will be less crowded, and consumers save money each year by avoiding the cost of disposable water bottles. Aquafil Water stations and drinking fountains help avoid the costly waste of disposable water bottles. Office water coolers and drinking fountains contribute to healthier work places, healthier neighbourhoods, and healthier people.

How Water Fountains Can Save Your Life and Money

The topic of discussion when people talk about plastic water bottles is mostly  centered around concern regarding the environmental impact. The sad and unfortunate reality  is  not everyone cares about the  the negative impact of plastic waste on the environment. Some people need issues like environmental waste to have a direct immediate impact on their life before taking action. But there is a solution to this problem: change the topic. With that being said, let’s discuss the poisons leached from the plastics of consumer goods and how they negatively affect your health. And, let’s talk about how you can save money by using water fountains.

Bisphenol A (BPA), Phthalates, and Antimony

Simply put, the plastic used in water bottles is slowly poisoning you.

Antimony, frequently found in PET plastic bottles, causes depression and dizziness in small doses, and nausea, vomiting and death in large doses. ¹

Phthalates, are most commonly used to make plastics like PVC more flexible. But did you know they’re also found in the majority of plastic beverage bottles? More importantly, phthalates are endocrine-disruptor chemicals linked to a wide range of reproductive and developmental issues (reduced sperm count, testicular abnormality and tumours, gender development issues). ²

Bisphenol A (BPA), is the chemical that makes plastic bottles hard and clear. BPA is yet another endocrine-disruptor chemical that’s proven to be a hazard to human health, and is associated to certain types of cancer, premature labour, defects in newborn babies, early puberty in girls, reduced fertility in women, and neurological difficulties. Keep in mind that’s just the short list. ³

Most bottled water companies are regulated by entities such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) who, a) don’t consider phthalates a human health hazard, b) perform weekly testing instead of daily testing like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and c) aren’t inclined to disclose their findings to the public records. ?

Save Your Life and Your Money

Less is more in certain situations, and in this case, buying less plastic water bottles equals more money in your pocket. Money is saved when less tax dollars are spent funding the FDAs of the world, when recycling costs are down, when you purchase a stainless steel water bottle once instead of 24 packs of plastic water bottles every week. And money is saved when you or your loved ones don’t have to see the doctor. In today’s world, drinking fountains and resource-friendly water coolers are enhancing the health benefits of water consumption. Water stations make it convenient and healthy to fill up your reciprocal and be on your way.

There are no excuses for not being able to follow this simple motto in the proper order:
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Refresh

The Facts About Water And The Resource No Industry Should Do Without

Originally conceived following a request by Manly Council to provide fresh filtered water to the public, aquafil has since grown into one of Sydney’s leading brands of office water coolers, drinking fountains, dispensers and refill stations – featuring in schools, universities and community areas across Australia and overseas.

The Dangers of Dehydration

Easy access to a reliable source of fresh drinking water is vital in order to stay healthy and hydrated, especially during the scorching Sydney summers, and should be a top priority of for each and every office owner, educational institution and council board.

We all know that water is crucial to the healthy functioning of our bodies. What you may be surprised to hear is that a loss of a mere 1.5% of the 65% of water that makes up our body mass is sufficient to trigger dehydration. As we go about our busy daily lives, it is easy to forget to drink enough water or simply not realise how thirsty we are until dehydration has set in. The effects of mild dehydration can be extremely draining and unpleasant, including headaches, fatigue, dizziness and changes to mood and energy levels. The effects of severe dehydration can be devastating, potentially leading to blood clots and seizures, sometimes with fatal complications.

Help Your Employees Stay Hydrated

Despite the considerable negative impact that dehydration can have on the productivity of a business, it rarely features on the radar of bosses as an issue deserving attention or priority in the workplace. Installing a filtered water cooler, drinking fountain or refill station within easy reach of employees can be a quick and easy solution to ensuring that they stay healthy, hydrated, active and mentally alert. It will also help to reduce rubbish that otherwise accumulates in office areas as a result of discarded disposable water bottles.

Invest in a Suitable Water Source Unit

aquafil’s unique and diverse range of products are available in multiple styles and designs to suit any type of office or outdoor recreational facility. As well as being wheelchair accessible, the units are cost-efficient, durable and environmentally friendly. They also include a range of optional features, such as filtered or non-filtered options, water meters to track usage, and display panels that can be used for artwork, advertising or displaying notices and messages.

Water ‘Kiosks’ – a big part of the solution

Philadelphia Water ‘Kiosks’ – promoting reusable water bottles

Linda Mathieson

November 13, 2015

There is a growing trend taking place around the world as people, communities, towns and cities are realising the devastating affect plastic bottles are having on the environment. With the push to reduce the amount of sugary drinks people consume another problem has arisen, the number of single use plastic water bottles purchased has grown significantly.  Most of these plastic bottles end up in waterways and landfill.

According to the Philadelphia water department, plastic bottles make up more than half the litter removed from the Schuylkill River each time it is skimmed.  Water Commissioner Howard Neukrug recently announced the installation of a network of water ‘kiosks’ that the rowing community and city officials hope will be a significant part of the solution. The ‘kiosks’ will consist of  water drinking fountains and bottle refilling stations in an effort to promote  reusable water bottles.

12000 reusable water bottles were given away at the Head of the Schuylkill Regatta, which attracts a large audience and where a number of portable water refilling stations were set up for athletes and spectators in an effort to send a message.

Philadelphia’s goal is to build a citywide partnership to eliminate litter from the river, city and watershed.

To find out more about Philadelphia’s water advocacy campaigns you can follow the story on social media using #DrinkTapPHL or read the full story here.

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