why do people get offered water after a traumatic event? Or when in distress?
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I work in a mental institution. When someone is escalating, offering them water can sometimes help them shake off the voices, kind of like a sensory distraction.
Water helps me when I’m experiencing anxiety so maybe that’s a universal thing?
Several reasons. Extreme stress can cause dehydration (and vice-versa). Drinking water has a natural calming effect on the body. It gives people something to do with their hands, which can helps to calm them in the same way that stress balls and fidget toys are often offered to kids who are stressed/anxious. It shows the person that someone cares and is looking out for them, so they don’t feel like they have to deal with everything alone. And the mere act of opening up a bottle of water and taking a drink can momentarily redirect one’s focus away from the stressful event/trauma.
Emotional support – the person in distress may feel alone or disconnected. Offering them water may give them the sense that someone is looking out for them.
Shock is a hell of a drug. Unfortunately, I’ve mashed my hands enough to recognize what going into shock feels like. I’d imagine most people haven’t and/or don’t recognize it. So, when someone says they’re fine and then they drop latter from shock it creates a bigger problem.
Drinking water helps to reduce blood pressure in shock victims, which can help prevent cardiovascular events. Part of it is triage, and part of it is light touch caring for victims. Handing out blankets and water is something a non-skilled volunteer can do, while skilled volunteers and responders can focus on more serious cases.
Blankets are nice, too. Part warmth retention, part bit of extra weight like a Thundershirt for dogs.
I don’t know, but that reminds me of when I was hit by a car and while in shock someone offered me a cup of water
There is no specific reason, it’s not like a tactic that was designed or developed.
It’s really just an instinct. Humans are social animals and we try to help others of our species. Humans are universally hardwired to be comforted by essential needs like shelter, being warm and dry, having hot food and water to drink. The natural instinct to helping someone in need is to offer them these things.
[the Vagus Nerve](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5859128/) Is the controller for your parasympathetic nervous system. It can sort of be shocked back into normal function by drinking cold water, or having a cold shower
You also have to control your breathing a bit to drink anything and controlling your breathing is a great way to calm the nervous system.
I couldn’t talk to the vet about end of life care for my dog because tears and snot were running down the back of my throat – I was **literally choked up**. The water washed it away and I could talk again. I went back for multiple cups because I found it soothing for my throat muscles and my mind as well.
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