@chefliverkick has been working kitchens for about 20 years, and he’s figured out what many of us learn the hard way — physical demands are always pretty obvious, but it’s the cognitive load that’ll get you. “My job is very physical, but the mental portion is harder because you’re under such tremendous pressure.” This isn’t just chef problems. This is basic human physiology under stress. Here’s what’s actually happening when you’re dehydrated: ➡️ Reaction time slows down. Your nervous system needs proper electrolyte balance to fire signals efficiently. In a kitchen with sharp knives and hot surfaces, slower reflexes aren’t just inconvenient — they can be dangerous. ➡️ Decision-making gets sloppy. Dehydration impairs your prefrontal cortex function. When you’re juggling multiple orders and everything’s happening fast, your brain needs to be firing on all cylinders. ➡️ Everything feels harder physically. The sodium-potassium pump powers muscle contractions and nerve signals. When that’s compromised, a long shift becomes exponentially more taxing. ➡️ Stress compounds. Dehydration elevates cortisol, which makes pressure feel more intense than it actually is. We see this pattern everywhere — from athletes to first responders to parents managing chaos at home. Fix the hydration, and the same stressful situation becomes more manageable.