Water is one of the most essential substances on planet earth that covers about 71 percent of its surface. As for the human beings, it accounts for 60 percent of our body and is of utmost importance to every cell. Therefore, each day humans are required to consume a certain amount of water to survive. But do you? After all, the job of every guard on patrol is such that it requires moving around a lot. This increases the need to stay hydrated all the time. But, ever wondered why?
So, let’s find out the importance of staying hydrated and more.
The Science Behind Staying Hydrated
Every human body, apart from food, air, & probably facebook nowadays, is equally dependent on water for its survival. Every cell and tissue of all the organs in your body need water to work properly.
However, it’s not as simple as it seems because every time you sweat, go to the washroom, or even when you breathe, your body loses water. This process significantly fastens when the weather is hot, when you are physically active, or when you have a fever.
The job of every guard on patrol demands him to stay active for long hours at a stretch while being monitored by the security guard monitoring system also ensuring the safety of the security guards. When this situation is combined with hot weather, it can drain any guard on patrol of a notable amount of water. For the body to function accurately, the water lost needs to be replenished else it results in dehydration.
The Signs & Symptoms Of Dehydration
Dehydration is medically stated as a condition where a person has lost enough fluids that the body begins to lose its ability to function normally and starts producing symptoms related to it. The signs or symptoms of dehydration may include:
- Increased thirst
- Dry mouth
- Fatigue or sleepiness
- Decreased urine output and the color being more yellowish than normal
- Headache
- Dry skin
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
These symptoms may further escalate and indicate severe dehydration. However, do not wait to take action when they become visible, instead proactively prevent dehydration by drinking plenty of water while patrolling between security guard checkpoints.
How Much Water Do You Need To Consume?
Everyone has heard of the 8×8 rule, haven’t you? It states that every person should drink 8-ounce of glasses of water per day. But, unfortunately, this easy to remember rule is completely arbitrary. Reason being, different people need a different amount of water to stay hydrated. For some, drinking fewer than 8 glasses of water may be enough, others may need more than 8 glasses of water a day to stay hydrated.
Instead, listen to your body. It’s equipped with a sophisticated system for regulating when and how much water you drink. Whenever the total water content of your body goes down to a certain level, thirst automatically kicks in. This way you do not even need to consciously think and worry about your water intake. But, sometimes certain circumstances may call for increased water intake as in the case of a security guard on patrol, or if any symptom of dehydration appears.
Here’s a small guideline to keep things simple:
- Drink when you are thirsty.
- Stop, when you are not thirsty anymore.
- In hot weather during long walks, drink enough to compensate for the lost water.
Simple Tips For Staying Hydrated While Patrolling
- Carry a reusable water bottle and fill it from the tap on-site while patrolling between security guard checkpoints.
- If you have trouble remembering to drink water or tend to ignore when you’re thirsty, make sure to drink on a set schedule. Create reminders on your phone to ensure you follow the schedule strictly and keep a track of it.
- In hot weather, step up your game and instead of drinking plain water add a slice of lemon or lime to water.
The Benefits Of Staying Hydrated
From the long list of benefits, there are few that are certain to make a great impact:
1. Water regulates body temperature
Sweat may seem to be the reason for losing fluids from the body, but on the contrary it helps to keep the body cool. The temperature increases if the water loss is not replenished in a timely manner.
2. It helps maximize physical performance & boosts metabolism
A guard on patrol being closely monitored by a security guard monitoring system requires strength, power, and endurance to do the job. Drinking water activates metabolism which has been associated with a positive impact on energy levels.
3. It aids in cognitive function and elevates mood
It has been found that lack of hydration can negatively impact focus, alertness, short-term memory as well a person’s mood. It often result in fatigue, confusion, and anxiety. So, never forget to drink enough water.
The bottom line is, water makes up nearly every part of your body. Don’t forget to take care of your body.
