Heat at work: 5 tips to prevent poor concentration

Summer, sun, mineral loss! Regardless of whether you are a student who wants to study for university or need to concentrate at work - the summer heat is a big challenge for everyone . If it's hot, we sweat. If we sweat, we lose important minerals. We're getting tired. Everything in us calls for rest. And water. Focused work or effective learning quickly become unthinkable. But don't worry: With our story you'll get through the summer well prepared - even at work, at university or at school . Want to cool down and read? Then let's get started!

Water: the solid basis for your ability to concentrate

“Drink lots of water” is probably the best and oldest tip in the world. And it won't go out of style any time soon: Since we inevitably sweat in the summer and therefore lose a lot of water, it's important to replenish our water balance quickly and constantly . The German Nutrition Society recommends around 1.5 liters of water per day under normal conditions . This is tight, especially in hot weather. If you want to be sure, you can double the amount. With three liters of water per day you are usually on the safe side. The following applies: It is better to drink in small doses throughout the day than to drink too much at once. For a natural increase in concentration , as you give the body many important minerals back with water and ideally hydrate yourself. Sip after sip.

Which brings us to the real problem: drinking. Many people find it difficult to remember to drink water regularly. Because once you're really immersed in a project, time flies by in an instant. To ensure that the water supply is not neglected in such situations, we recommend that you keep a large glass and a bottle of water within easy reach at all times . In an emergency, you can also set a timer - especially in high heat. A glass of water regularly and you are taken care of. This doesn't just improve your ability to concentrate . The following applies: the larger the glass, the greater the effect . But it doesn't have to be a beer mug, around 400 ml is enough .

And another tip: If you sometimes find water to be too colorless, you can also spice it up in terms of taste. Try our Iso Drink or the Zero Calories° tablets. Then it will not only be tastier, you will also give the body what it needs!

Minerals as concentration boosters

Replenish minerals? It's best to drink a lot!

Minerals are exactly the right brain food to help you through dry thinking periods in the summer . They are real concentration boosters and can help you focus properly, even in the heat at work. By increasing your concentration, even the hottest heat in the office won't bother you.

Increased magnesium deficiency is inevitable in hot weather

Magnesium is an extremely important mineral that regulates a variety of metabolic processes . It is also so important for the function of our muscles and cardiovascular system . A magnesium deficiency can therefore quickly lead to painful muscle cramps .

Summer sweating leads to increased excretion of magnesium , which is why you should constantly top up your magnesium supply with certain foods. Good sources of magnesium include:

• Legumes,
• raspberries,
• bananas,
• kiwis,
• Spinach,
• Kohlrabi

If you want to be on the safe side when it comes to dosage and availability, you can also dissolve magnesium in water in the form of effervescent tablets or powder . This means you get magnesium from two sources. And: delicious flavors can spice up the water for lazy drinkers . Take a look at our IsoFast powder and Zero Calories° tablets in the Dextro Energy* online shop . By the way, these also provide you with other minerals such as potassium and sodium . The latter is particularly important in midsummer when we sweat a lot.

Salty foods, poor concentration and water balance

Another mineral that our body loses through sweating in summer is sodium , which is found, for example, in table salt. Although it is often said that salt binds fluid and we should therefore not consume so much salt, this statement has to be put into perspective a little in summer . Because salt has an essential influence on our electrolyte and water balance . Roughly speaking, sodium regulates the overall body water distribution . If this becomes imbalanced, it can lead to a lack of concentration and confusion. To better absorb electrolytes, the World Health Organization recommends a solution of orange juice, water, sugar and salt , but you can also take a look at our sodium supply products. Our liquid gels with sodium ,drinks and salt tablets for chewing provide you with the important mineral and much more.

Isotonic drinks: the game changer in the heat

A good solution for those who often forget to take nutritional supplements are isotonic drinks. With them you kill two birds with one stone: your mineral intake is increased and you do something for your water balance .

Isotonic drinks combine a variety of minerals and electrolytes that have an important influence on the water balance in the body . Another positive effect is that in this dosage form you can consume liquid at the same time.

Isotonic drinks are available either as a ready-made drink or as a powder to mix . The powder form has the advantage that you can equip yourself with several doses at once. This is appealing when you have found a flavor that you particularly like. Isotonic drinks are therefore a good way to make the heat at work more bearable and to get through the day well . By the way, you can find many delicious isotonic electrolyte drinks that can be dissolved in water in ouronline store .

Dextrose and the ability to concentrate in hot weather

Dextrose (i.e. glucose) supplies your entire body with quickly available carbohydrates – in no time at all. Since dextrose is identical to the body's own blood sugar, it goes directly into the blood and from there can supply the muscles and brain with quickly available carbohydrates

In order for the dextrose to develop its optimal effect, we recommend sucking a small piece every quarter of an hour during periods of intense stress or concentration. This means your body and brain are constantly supplied with quickly available carbohydrates. Whether you're taking an exam and it's 40° in the shade or in the office, which feels more like the Sahara: glucose while studying, taking exams or working is a good idea. You can dose it ideally, for example, with our Dextro Energy* minis or the clever school supplies .

Proper ventilation in midsummer

Heat fever? Ventilating in midsummer helps with concentration!

Fresh oxygen is the be-all and end-all against poor concentration . In a closed room, oxygen is depleted, the air becomes stuffy and thinking becomes difficult. A simple rule applies: the more people in the room, the higher the consumption. Regular ventilation helps against this. In particular, cross-ventilation , where two opposite windows are opened, allows fresh air and thus a concentration booster to enter your office .

But what if it's midsummer and the temperatures outside are unspeakably high? Here you can ventilate everything early in the morning to renew the oxygen balance . You should also ventilate briefly throughout the day - despite the heat - to get the air moving . The effect: This draft of air creates a cooling effect on sweaty skin, which you can support with damp cloths or a water spray .

Flexible working hours and home office: the little “heat-free” for employees

In summer, temperatures in the office often rise very quickly and very high. This is fueled by the many office devices such as computers, printers and the like. These devices are an often underestimated source of heat because they radiate heat from the moment they are put into operation. This makes it all the more important that you spend as little time as possible surrounded by heat-emitting machines and high outside temperatures - otherwise a lack of concentration is inevitable. But what can you do?

By arranging your working hours flexibly, you can avoid the office heat, for example by simply starting work earlier . The place where you work is also important: If you can work from home, you can regulate the temperature at your workplace differently than in an (open-plan) office: For example, by spraying the curtains with cold water , you can Take advantage of evaporative cooling . Or you can treat yourself to a longer lunch break to increase concentration - and then continue working in the cooler afternoon or evening hours. You see: flexibility is key . If flexible working hours and home office have not been an issue so far, you can talk to your employer about it. A compromise is often found quickly.

Cooling as a kickstarter for concentration

When temperatures are high, wetting your wrists and face with cold water helps bring the body to a cooler level in the long term. The evaporative cooling stimulates the circulation and reduces the overall temperature. With this method, you can run some water over exposed areas of your body for the best effect.

This makes working in the office much easier in the heat. And if you don't want to keep getting up, you can simply take a small guest towel or washcloth, moisten it and place it on your neck.

With our tips you will get through the summer well

Can you still remember: school days, no heat as soon as it got too hot? We quickly packed our bathing suits and raced off to the outdoor pool on our bikes.

Heat-free at work, that would be something, right? Unfortunately, this is not so easy in the working world. Even if the temperatures in the office are particularly high, projects do not take a summer break. That's why it's even more important that you have one or two tricks up your sleeve if the heat is particularly difficult for you at work. With our tips you can prevent a lack of concentration and help your brain to function even in high heat - so summer can come in the office or home office, at university or school.

*contains carbohydrates

°applies to the prepared drink

The recommended daily dose should not be exceeded.

A varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle are important.

PHOTO CREDITS

all images: @iStock