This post was originally published in the NZ Plumber Aug-Sept 2022 issue. Kelly trained and worked as a Registered Dietitian prior to the business and is passionate about creating healthy work environments in the Trade Industry.
The information in this blog is not intended to replace advice and information given to you by medical professionals. This blog cannot provide readers with all the information necessary to diagnose and treat a medical condition or nutritional problem. Those who are unwell or have concerns should always seeks advice from their GP.
Drink to thirst– how many of us follow this ‘rule’? Thirst is your body’s way of telling you that fluid output is greater than fluid intake…aka dehydration! We may not think dehydration as an issue in winter, but when you’re on the tools, outside, it’s important to keep those fluids up all year round.
To stay well hydrated the body needs to balance fluid intake with fluid output. The beverages we drink, food we eat and water produced from the body’s metabolic reactions all contribute to fluid intake. In contrast, we lose fluid when we pee, through feces, through our skin – with or without sweat- and every time we breath out. Lucky for us, our bodies are pretty good at warning us when we start to get mildly dehydrated through signals such as thirst, dark urine and a lesser need to pee. However, during the cold, winter months, those dehydration warning signs are easily missed. We tend to pee more to try maintain body heat. We breath in colder, dryer air, which increases water losses. We wear more heavily layered clothing, actually causing sweat losses without us noticing. And some of us just might not find water so drinkable during these colder months. A bit of thirst and dark pee are manageable enough, but headaches, fatigue, dizziness and confusion are symptoms of dehydration that aren’t good for the health of us, our staff, or work productivity.
So, what are some easy ways to help the team stay hydrated all year round?
· Role model water – simple but effective!
· Tool Box Talks – discuss the importance, dehydration signs & symptoms, and the ‘how to’.
· Pee checks! Pale and odorless urine = ‘good’ vs dark, smelly urine = ‘bad’
· Provide opportunities – water bottles for staff, water jug at meetings, water cooler for the office.
· Adopt a Healthy Beverage guideline (promoting water obviously)
· Chat to your clothing company about different materials suited for the different seasons.
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