To wonder how we survived without constantly drinking water while working in previous decades?

[Chinsupmeloves]

A bit lighthearted but also a serious question!

Looking back at all the jobs I've had from age 16, working while at university and career after, it wasn't commonplace to have a Stanley or filled bottle nearby. We had breaks and mostly had a quick coffee and a food, same at lunchtime. No one took bottles of water, hot drinks or cans, that was it! At school also, juice at break and lunch then drink water at home.

A) On the one hand I feel the obsession with keeping hydrated has been propelled by the manufacturers of drinking vessels, especially with the imprinted quantities for times of the day, insulated to keep cool and so on. From this POV it seems OTT when people are walking around a supermarket with their bottles with the fear their bodies may shrivel up. In schools, having them on their desks, the bottle flipping, guzzling down a litre of juice from home in the first 10 mins of a lesson then desperate for the toilet, stating it's a human right to drink til you busrt! In addition the sales of plastic bottles of water to continue to carry around, you should see the bins overflowing with them in every classroom, so much for encouraging environmental values.

B) I've also realised yes it is important to keep hydrated during the day and we need more than a few cups of coffee as fluid to keep us sustained. I was one of the few, as a teacher, who would bring in a small carton of juice to sip at (days before reusable were used for anyrhing than to clip on your bike) as I got thirsty! I was however told off, that I shouldn't be drinking those few sips during lessons, yes truth. It was only a bit as drinking more would mean I would need to go to the loo, which I knew was impossible at break times when on duty or lunch when I had meetings, detentions, extra tuition. To walk to the staff toilets meant 2 blocks away outside, flights of stairs and a queue, so it was a scheduled comfort.

Back to the point...

AIBR Drinking during breaks and lunch is perfectly adequate, no need for constant sipping, especially in schools where it can cause so much disruption by those who take the mick.

AIBU We need to consistently sip to help us with talking, feeling well and focus.

As an adult I now value being able to have a bottle nearby at work, in the car on long journeys, but not a constant need everywhere I go. Xxx

Lol 😆

I'm secondary so while the ones who goadingly stare at you while downing it and telling them to stop, which is all you can do, they continue. Subsequent show of needing a wee because they've drank so much water, got a toilet pass, disappear for half an hour roaming the school causing havoc. Parents informed, followed wirh vitrolic abuse of of course their DC needs to drink more and be allowed out. No medical condition, just another parent controlled by their child and enabled. Sadly this is prevalent but academies where support is good they will be escorted, unfortunately not enough staff available in most. Xxx

I was in high school in the 80s and I remember being thirsty a lot at school, especially after PE or games. I drank out the tap in the girls bathroom.

Agree! Drink in the morning, breaks, after work, no need for said vessel to be joined to the hip. Xxx

I hope you're not a teacher?!

(In case you are, it's 'ridiculous').

It's true drinking too much water can cause issues. There are many people around now at a ripe old age who didn't carry Stanley flasks around.

Christ when I was at school it was a small beaker of cordial at lunch and nothing else. If I had drunk more I would have needed to use the loo! I used to go at home before I left and wait until I got home as the toilets were grim.

Yes, a distraction, like big brother series, they all seem to be supping while doing anything.

My point exactly! If you work somewhere you can access water readily that's great so no need for the huge bottles. I can't just go to a tap for fresh cold water so do take a bottle with me. I would much rather have the option for frah cold water.

There was a massive report came out around 2006 that constant access being hydrated massively improved academic performance of children.

Thats where the water bottle trend started in schools.

I remember very little from primary school but I do remember being thirsty all the time! The drinks with school dinner were tiny and there was always a queue for the water fountain. I remember my friend and I walking home describing the drink were would have when we got in, it's all we would think about on the way home... Honestly, I think we were all thirsty and dehydrated in the past!!

Has it though??? I literally don’t know anyone who has had a kidney problem from drinking too much??

Yes it's ridiculous and disruptive that some kids will deliberately stare you out and down a bottle of water in front of you, with the rest of the class looking on, to then demand they need to go to the toilet.

I was at school before water bottles etc, and other kids might have been fine, but the following things have improved for me by now drinking 2L a day rather than 'drinking when im thirsty'... which for me largely ended up being between 1 - 1.5 pints a day, sometimes less.

• Sleep
• Digestion
• Tiredness
• Skin!!!

I REALLY wish I'd known this as a teenager for the skin alone, I spent so much money and would be upset over my skin weekly...

I mean, I do think people now look younger when they hit middle and old age compared to older generations. Maybe this has something to do with it.

We’re not allowed to drink water at my workplace and we all survive.

I remember a lot of headaches as a child. Which went away when I started drinking more.

The problem with being an office worker is that it is often quite a walk to the water machine. And l often have several hours of consecutive meetings. If I have a bottle of water on my desk then I drink it. With a small cup I will run out when I’m in the middle of explaining the same basic principle for the 1000th time to some muppet (colleague paid more than me 😂). I can then use any meeting gaps for a trip to the toilet.

I drink plenty, but mealtimes, breaktimes, evening. As a child of 70s there was water fountains at school, I had a beaker ( tupperware of course) with squash at lunchtime with my packed lunch. We had a drink after school, with tea, and milk for supper. No need to walk around looking like toddlers with a bottle in hand.

Last time I saw my nephrologist I asked how much water I should be drinking and he said most people drink less than they should for kidney health.

I donated a kidney a few years ago and had my GFR measured twice, the first time after a few days of not drinking enough water, and the second time after making sure I was well hydrated. The second measurement was significantly better. My creatinine levels were also healthier when well hydrated.

But perhaps you’re a nephrologist with different experience?

Ive never been in the habit of drinking water - we literally never drank water at home with meals - or at school. I drink water on holiday in a hot climate or during a long run (10 miles+) or after a race.
I want to drink some more water but I find it a really difficult habit. 700ml is a good day for me, I aim for at least 500ml over a working day (9.30-5.30) ...but even then, i often fail. On the days I do manage it, im constantly needing the loo! The people with the 2 litre bottles must have much better bladder control than me! 😄

I’m in my 20s, I used to religiously drink 2-3l of water a day then fell off. I barely drink water now, it’s like I have to remind myself. It’s been at least a year of really low water intake. I can tell a difference.

My face is naturally more dry/textured, my skin looks dull everywhere even on my body, my mouth tends to be dry, I get bloating & constipation more often. My hair & nails aren’t as healthy. I think I get enough water from food to otherwise function ok, but the moment I get a cold or something, I’m totally thrown off. I have never known dehydration like it. My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth, my nose overly clogs up, it’s hard to breathe - I never experienced this before. I guess my baseline hydration previously was enough to stop colds etc from being that bad before.

it’s weird, even though I used to be able to drink loads of water, it just feels onerous now.

We had drinking fountains at school. Water is important! Dehydration can cause kidney failure. I always make sure to drink plenty since having to be put on a drip in hospital.

Id literally die if I tried to drink 2L of water a day. I have tried it and felt just awful, really bloated and my stomach really hurt.
I drink enough water to keep my urine clear and that's it. If your body rebels against drinking gallons of water I don't think you should do it.
Also snacking. I don't snack all day. If Im really hungry before lunch Ill have a banana.

I didn't used to drink a lot of water but got into the habit whilst breastfeeding - was told to drink plenty and now I feel quite thirsty on less than 2l a day.
DH had kidney stones and was also told to drink at least the same as me - even if it was beer!

I just think it’s pretty much a non issue. Let kids and adults drink as much as they want to and you don’t need to drink often if you don’t want. I know I like drinking or having one nearby so I can reach if I feel I need it.

I think UABU.

And one of the changes now is food is a lot more processed so we actually need to drink more. If we are eating unprocessed food with a very high water content we might need to drink less...but how many do.

Not drinking enough water (or similar) can cause so many issues.

You shouldn't need a drink to walk around the supermarket though.