Work can be both boring and stressful, and either can result in staff doing less than their best work, which can be a headache for any boss. When staff are stressed, especially, it can result in them becoming overwhelmed and be subjected to burnout.

Burnout can result in even the most productive of employees falling flat on their faces, unable to continue working and even landing up in hospital for a lengthy period, which will play havoc with the bottom line of any business.

While most bosses expect their staff to work day in and day out with the same amount of fervour, getting as much as possible done every day, this is not conducive to a good work environment. I remember, when working in an office for many years, scurrying off into a corner to eat my lunch and grab a cup of coffee, or, more often than not, ending up eating at my desk while working. This is not healthy and is also certainly not conducive to productive work ethics.

Simply put, the human brain needs a break, and for work-breaks to be effective there needs to be a refreshing change of pace. This means that employees need to get up and away from their desks, leaving their work behind for at least a few minutes at a time two or three times in a working day.

Strangely enough, many managers have found that since they invested in a water cooler in their business, staff members seem happier, work longer hours, take less time off sick, and are generally far more productive.

There is a simple explanation for this; taking frequent breaks around the water cooler result in:

  • Reduced eye-strain – working on a computer all day long puts one’s eyes under tremendous strain, which can result in poor eyesight and headaches;
  • Lowered stress levels – water cooler breaks helps people to clear their heads, which lowers their stress levels;
  • A chance to hydrate – the human body needs to be maintained at the right hydration levels, which means drinking water frequently. Keeping the brain hydrated helps individuals think clearer and work more productively;
  • Friendly discussions – sharing a joke or two while rehydrating lowers stress levels and leads to good staff morale

Hire water coolers and purchase water coolers from Living-Water.