Stay Hydrated For Better Health

Water is the single most important substance we consume. You can survive for about two months without food, but you would die in about seven days without water.

If you feel thirsty, it’s already too late

If you’re feeling thirsty, you’re probably already at two percent water loss.  A 2 percent drop in our body's water supply can trigger signs of dehydration, such as fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on smaller print.  Mild dehydration is also one of the most common causes of daytime fatigue.  

Health Benefits of Water

Approximately 60% of the adult human body consists of water.  Every cell, tissue and organ needs water to function effectively.  Below are some of the health benefits of what it does for us.

• Increases energy and enhances brain function
• Moisturizes our skin and improves skin complexion
• Helps out organs to absorb nutrients better
• Aids in weight management.  Helps to increase metabolism and reduces hunger
• Natural headache relief
• Flushes out toxins & reduces the risk of urinary track infections
• Protects & moistens our joints and makes muscles more elastic
• Aid in digestion and prevents constipation
• Regulates body temperature
• Provides a moist environment for ear, nose and throat tissues
  

So how much water should you drink every day? 

Simple question with no easy answer. Over the years there have been many studies that have produced varying recommendations.  Your individual need for water depends on many factors, including how active you are, where you live, drink a lot coffee and your health. 

The simplest way to tell if you are properly hydrated is to check the color and quantity of urine. If the urine is dark in color, it is concentrated with metabolic wastes. This is a signal that the body needs more fluids. When urine is a clear, light color, the body has a normal water balance. If a person takes vitamin supplements, these may color the urine. In this case, the volume of urine may be a better indicator than color.

A good rule to follow is to drink half your body in weight in ounces. So if you weigh 140 pounds, that would be 70 ounces.  Aim for 8, 8 ounces glasses per day. 

4 Savvy Tips to Help You Drink More Water

Start your day off with drinking a large glass of water or two.

Make it easy by keeping a big glass of water next to your bed.  This way it will be the first thing you see when you get up.  This will make it an easy habit to get a  jump start on being hydrated all day. 

Use technology - use your phone to set a reminder or get a free app

Make technology work for you.  Take advantage of your smartphone and set up eight alarms during the day.  Every time the alarm goes off, drink a glass of water.

Overtime this will become habit and then you will not need reminders.

There are a ton of free apps out there that you can download. Here are a few to check out, water apps.

Take your water bottle with you

Super easy but it works.  Get in the habit of carrying a water bottle with you.  You will find yourself drinking more water.

Get one that holds 1 to 1.5 liters of water.  My favorite is a insulted stainless steel bottle.  Free of BPAs, lightweight and keeps your water cold. 

Fruit & Veggies

Add in more fruits and veggies into your diet.  They are great sources of water.

Your body and mind will function a lot better if you remember to hydrate.

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