Good morning.  We all know that this work is tiring, that it often gets hot out here, and that the water we provide in the Igloo can help you stay more comfortable.  But I want to take a few minutes to remind you that it is important to keep your body hydrated -- to make sure it you have enough water, even in cool weather.  Even though the Igloo cooler is nearby all day, sometimes we neglect it and go for long periods without a drink.

When our bodies lose water, it affects comfort and strength as the day goes on, including the hours after work.  Recent studies with athletes, soldiers, and other production workers in strenuous jobs have shown what you probably know from experience.  Drinking water to replace fluids that are lost through the day helps people feel better and stay healthier.

When the human body converts the energy stored in food or the body itself into motion, about 3/4 of that energy turns into heat, only 1/4 into motion.  Our bodies need to release excess heat in order to stay at a safe temperature, and the way it does that most rapidly is by sweating.  When we build up internal heat fast, the sweat glands get activated and send water carrying heat out through the skin surface.  So especially when working hard in hot weather, the body loses a lot of water by sweating, and you can get dehydrated in a pretty short time.

People who get very dehydrated might pass out or suffer painful symptoms of conditions called heat cramping, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.  But before getting to these stages, people can suffer effects that include general discomfort, fatigue, headache, dizziness, and loss of strength, coordination, endurance, and mental sharpness.   In addition, if a body does not maintain a sufficient water level while working, it takes longer to recover its strength after work.  Getting dehydrated one day can lead to your feeling more tired and less comfortable the next day.

The best way to combat dehydration is to drink plenty of water, ideally through frequent drinks of small amounts, to maintain a balance in the body.  Unfortunately, the effects of dehydration start to set in before we feel thirsty.  Thirst has been shown to be a delayed signal of people's need for water.  That makes it easier to ignore the Igloo.  And working on a piece or contract rate has a way of making you put off a stop at the igloo even after you first feel thirsty.  The water is there, but going over to it requires a break in your work flow.  If you do decide to push on with your work and not take some water, however, you may become fatigued and slow your work flow even more.

So I just ask that you stay aware of the need to keep replacing the water your body loses.  Please remember that it is important to drink throughout the day, and not only when you feel thirsty.  Thanks for listening.  Any questions?