I often say to myself that if we did not have office water coolers present then we would all be addicted to caffeine, sugary drinks and alcohol! Hydration is something we all take for granted and unfortunately, it is not top on many people's list of important health issues. Without sufficient amounts of water, you will notice the negative impacts in the way you function in your day-to-day activities, especially when you are at work.

Personally speaking, if I did not see office water coolers at work I would fall into the category of being a caffeine addict. Many people mistaken the feeling of thirst with hunger, because they are unaware of the fact that there is very little difference in the sensations apart from you are more likely to get a dry mouth when you are thirsty. One of the main affects of dehydration are headaches and lethargy.

Unbelievably there are people who, despite having office water coolers right next to them, forget to drink water whilst at work. This then causes them to lose focus at work and feel more sluggish. Many people experience physical problems, such as weight gain, skin ailments (spots, greasy or dry skin), dry hair, bad breath and minor stomach ailments. The more sever the dehydration process becomes the worse the physical symptoms become.

If you were to continue to stay dehydrated then you are likely to suffer from, digestive problems, constipation, urinary tract infections, increase in water retention, muscular aches and pains, kidney infection and liver damage. The list are endless with the affects of severe dehydration, but there are people who do not realise that it does not take a trip to the Sahara desert to experience the feelings of dehydration.

Even you are at work or at home, you may not realise how much water your body is losing and are unlikely to monitor or measure how much water you take in to replenish the body. The easiest way of measuring how much water you are drinking is to carry a two litre or less bottle of water. You will then know the exact amount you take in daily and it will be a constant reminder for you. It is a good idea to carry a bottle at work, refilling it using the office water coolers when you are at work.

People spend of their time at work so it is vital that they stay alert, focussed and concentrate on what they are doing at the current moment. It is hard to concentrate on your work and complete something satisfactorily if you are tired and suffering from a headache.

Making sure you drink enough water is a healthy habit to get yourself into, as it ensures a healthier lifestyle and keeps you feeling more energetic. Take for instance someone who is actively taking part in sports, they will need to increase their water intake as they are losing much more water than the average person is because they are sweating more. They are more likely to feel tired and they will need to keep their muscles rehydrated to bring their energy levels back on track.

Some people do not know when they feel dehydrated so most of the time they go without water for a long period. Unfortunately, fruit juices, fizzy drinks, tea, coffee and even herbal tea do not count as water, with caffeinated beverages further dehydrated your body from water. Even if you do not feel obviously dehydrated you should drink water anyway, this is to keep your body functioning properly.