Go with the flow

Amanda Martin

Mount co-op students: Boy, do I ever have a secret to share with you as you head out on your work-terms. Two words: hydrate yourselves. It is as simple as that. These two words can make a world of a difference in your life. Drink the daily-recommended amount of water and it will change your life for the better.

There are approximately eight hours in the workday and the recommended amount of water to consume is eight, eight ounce, glasses of water. Coincidence? I think not. There are both significant health and social benefits associated with doing so, all of which I am going to share with you.

Let us begin with reviewing the basic composition of our bodies as this illustrates why the transparent, readily available, fluid is so vital to our being. The American Journal of Physiology says, “our bodies consist mostly of water (50–70 per cent of body weight; ∼42 liters) and our blood, muscles, brain, and bone are made up mainly of water (∼85 per cent, 80 per cent, 75 per cent, and 25 per cent, respectively)” Judging by these facts it is crystal clear that water is essential for our survival. As a new student in the workplace surviving is key, although, the real goal in this situation is to standout.

The truth is, dehydration will throw your game off. With the many challenges a work-term can present, having symptoms such as, decreased alertness, concentration, and short-term memory loss are not going help you impress your employer. These symptoms, along with increased tiredness, headaches and slower reaction time are listed in the American Journal of Clinic Nutrition as common signs of acute dehydration.

Have you heard of starting off on the right foot? If you really want to impress, you may want to pick-up a reusable, BPA free, water bottle and dive head first into this initiative—all while singing, “Hi ho, hi ho, it’s off to work I go!” Just give it a try, and, go with the flow. You will quickly see the benefits of staying hydrated. Not only cognitively, but physically, you will notice a difference and maybe even drop a few pounds.

Drinking eight-ounces of water during every hour will biologically force you to have to relieve yourself quite often throughout the day. You will have to get up from your desk. Gone are the days of hiding in your cubical. Instead, while on the mission to the restroom, depending on the urgency, you can spark up conversations about relevant news or about upcoming projects.

Try out a new joke that you have been brewing, or, go ahead and borrow this one: “Q: What did the grape do when it was stepped on? A: It let out a little wine!” Give it a shot! You are guaranteed to return to your desk with a fresh perspective ready to produce great work.

If you have reached the “gotta go, gotta go, gotta go right now” stage, courtesy of Detrol advertising, then please don’t fret and get your pants all wet. Instead, just use your time in the potty to make the journey back to your desk all the more valuable. You can socialize once you have finished your “business” in the restroom.  It’s time we see an overactive bladder as a strength and not a weakness. So, stay away from the Detrol and let the good times flow.

Caution: To avoid co-workers suspicions about your somewhat excessive restroom use, why not start your own internal communications, health and social, summer initiative. Do I hear “Co-op Student of the Year nomination? I think so!