In everyday working life, an underestimated factor often determines our performance: hydration. Anyone who optimises their fluid intake can specifically improve concentration and, in the long term, enhance wellbeing in the workplace. Instead of short-term energy boosters, what is needed is a fundamental understanding of how the body uses fluid. This is exactly where modern corporate wellbeing approaches come in — with sustainable impact on focus, energy and mental clarity.

Understanding hydration: Why is it so important to drink enough?

Let’s start with the basics. Real hydration does not simply mean drinking litres of water. It is about the body’s ability to maintain a balance of fluid levels.

Electrolytes such as sodium and potassium play a crucial role here. They act as chemical messengers that help the body transport fluid into the cells and store it there. Without this balance, the internal engine overheats — no matter how much you drink.

How much water is "enough"?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer. The requirement depends on body size, activity level and even the climate in the room.

• Rule of thumb: 8–10 glasses a day is a good benchmark.

• Factors influencing this: stress increases fluid needs, salty snacks draw water from the body, while fruit and vegetables such as cucumbers or apples are valuable hydration helpers.

The physical impact: What happens in your body?

Anyone who is well hydrated operates at another level. The benefits go far beyond simply quenching thirst:

• Sharper focus: Enough water ensures optimal oxygen supply to the brain — the result: faster thinking and better problem-solving skills.

• Stress management: Dehydration ramps up the production of cortisol (the stress hormone). When hydrated, you stay calmer even during hectic project phases.

• Mood check: Studies show that dehydration lowers mood.2 Good spirits in the team are therefore also a question of the right drinking culture.

• Managing anxiety: Stable hydration supports the balance of neurotransmitters such as serotonin — helping you stay mentally stable and resilient.

Why do we still fail to drink enough?

Many people think they drink enough. According to the Germany Drinking Study 2019, the reality looks different:

• 52% of Germans forget to drink when stressed.

• 56% of employees do not have time to drink — which harms their productivity.

That drinking gets forgotten in everyday life is rarely due to a lack of discipline, but rather the environment. Anyone who wants to improve drinking habits needs structures that make hydration easy and natural. And it starts with taste: our brain is programmed for new stimuli — after the third glass, plain water hardly provides any reward effect. (2)

Our customer data confirms this too: in a survey of employees at SFC Energy, Octopus Energy and ATRON (January 2026), 58% said they drank more during the day with Re:Drink than before — not because they had planned to, but because the choice made it easy. 56% also reported a noticeably better office atmosphere and more team spirit. (4)

More focus, less bottle chaos, a team that really drinks more? Discover the insights from workplace psychology for sustainable Hydration Habits in our guide From Thirst to Flow.

Would you like to do more than just read about it and try it straight away? Start a no-obligation trial month with Re:Drink.

Sources

1. Germany Drinking Study 2019. Society for Consumer Research (GfK), commissioned by the German Nutrition Society (DGE). Survey on drinking behaviour among adults in Germany.

2. Armstrong, L.E. & Epstein, Y. (1999). Fluid-electrolyte balance during labour and exercise: Concepts and misconceptions. International Journal of Sport Nutrition, 9(1), 1–12.

3. Voermans, S. Quote in the context of TK health management. Techniker Krankenkasse (TK), Hamburg.

4. Re:Drink customer survey, January 2026. Internal survey among employees of SFC Energy, Octopus Energy and ATRON. Not publicly available.