We had a few pints last night with one of our friends who works for a big Fortune 500 company here in Portland. We were researching another topic when he began telling us about how his company brought in a speaker who talked mainly about how dehydration affects your thought process and decision making.
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It seemed a little odd to talk about it as the three of us were tossing back imperial pints but we’ve had stranger conversations.
It turns out there is real science behind it. Here is a friendly reminder to stay hydrated.
Don’t wait until you’re thirsty
If you wait until you’re actually thirsty very likely it is too late. You are probably already mildly dehydrated.
Even mild dehydration can change your energy level, your mood and the ability to think clearly. Dehydration affects all of us and staying properly hydrated is just as important for mountain climbers and runners as it is for those of us that sit at a desk most of the day.
Bottom line - drink your water before you think you need it.
Decision making and hydration
Our decision making ability is directly affected as dehydration causes fatigue, headaches and difficulty concentrating. Our attention span is shorter and we easily get frustrated by circumstances that normally are not an issue.
To think more clearly and make the best decisions possible, hydrate throughout the day.
We all know it - 8 glasses a day
In order to stay properly hydrated, experts like Lawrence E. Armstrong, Ph.D., FACSM at the University of Connecticut, recommend that individuals drink eight, 8-ounce glasses of water a day, which is approximately equivalent to about 2 liters of water.
While we both love our Coffee and Pints, we know we need to stay hydrated too. So be sure to have your 8 glasses a day. It will help your mood and your decision making.