A Sip of Success: How Do Different Drinks Affect Work Productivity?

Looking for ways to boost your personal productivity? Start by thinking about what’s in your cup. Different drinks can affect us in different ways – some can boost our concentration and others can alleviate stress. At the same time, certain beverages can come with side effects such as sugar crashes or caffeine jitters. To help you choose the right productivity fuel, here is a selection of eight common drinks compared. 

Water

Some may see a glass of water as boring, but it’s the undoubtedly healthiest drink choice you can make. It could also be the best drink for productivity. Good hydration is key to optimal brain function and it can help us to concentrate better and combat fatigue. Offices with water coolers are excellent for encouraging hydration – ideally we should all be drinking 8 glasses of water per day. 

Coffee

Coffee is a workplace favorite – and for good reason. Its caffeine kick is the perfect pick-me-up for those early morning starts and afternoon slumps, leading to short-term increase in reaction times and memory. But moderation is crucial to prevent anxiety of crashes. It’s best to drink no more than three cups per day, and to space them out well to avoid jitters. 

Energy drinks

When you need a quick boost of energy for dealing with high-intensity work, an energy drink can have a greater impact than even a cup of coffee due to being packed with caffeine and sugar. But energy drinks come with bigger crashes, and can be very unhealthy if consumed regularly. Use sparingly for deadlines, not daily routines. 

Tea

Tea provides a caffeine kick that’s milder than coffee (and much milder than energy drinks). It also provides energy without increasing stress levels, due to the calming effect of l-theanine. This makes it much more suitable for all-day drinking – it can provide steady increased alertness, opposed to the sharp peaks and valleys that come with coffee and energy drinks.

Herbal teas

Herbal tea options like chamomile and peppermint are caffeine-free – instead promoting relaxation. They can be a good solution for beating work-related stress and are excellent for accompanying and providing reflection for thoughtful tasks. Just be wary that some can have sedative qualities, so they may make you sleepier if you’re already feeling tired. 

Fruit juice

Natural fruit juices are packed with vitamins that can help with concentration. The sweetness can also help keep hunger at bay. The high sugar content of some fruit juices could lead to sugar crashes, but choosing fresh low-sugar options can prevent this. 

Soda drinks

Soda drinks can temporarily boost mood and motivation, but the inevitable sugar crash may lead to poor concentration and decreased output. As a result, soda drinks are best reserved as occasional treats. Not only this, but they’re one of the least healthy drinks, so you don’t want to be drinking them too often.

Alcoholic drinks

While alcohol can relieve stress and make people more social, it’s one of the least suitable drinks in most workplaces. It can slow reaction times, impair judgement and leave people feeling drowsy. It’s best reserved for occasional events like launch parties and networking events. Avoid it at all costs during work hours if your job involves driving or handling heavy machinery.