We all know that drinking water every day is important. But all the guidelines and advice that gets tossed around can be confusing…am I right? In addition…it rarely gets discussed exactly why staying hydrated is so important?
I know some of you out there are phenomenal at staying hydrated so please keep up the good work, but this scenario is not the norm for most of the US population and many of my clients struggle every day to drink enough fluid. If you are dehydrated, you might be experiencing one or more the following symptoms:
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Headaches
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Dizziness
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Mood swings
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Dry skin
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Muscle cramps
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Fatigue
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Body aches
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Halitosis, aka bad breath
Do any of those sound familiar?
Now you might be wondering: why is it important to stay hydrated?
There are at least 5 reasons why it is important for you to focus on hydration –
- ELIMINATES TOXINS: Your body detoxifies via sweat, urine, bowels, and breath. All of these involve fluids leaving the body. Thus, you need to continually replenish these lost fluids to promote their cleansing impact.
- PROMOTES MOTILITY: A common cause of constipation is dehydration so if you are not having at least 1-3 formed solid bowel movements per day that are easy to pass, please ensure you are properly hydrated by incorporating the tips I will share with you below.
- IMPROVES MOOD: Dehydration can cause anxiety, confusion, and fatigue. People who drink enough water often experience better sleep and more positive feelings throughout the day. If you are in a bad mood, try drinking some water.
- ENHANCES METABOLISM: Drinking water along with adequate physical activity and a nutritious diet can aid in digestion, making sure you are properly absorbing nutrients from food, and can even support healthy weight levels.
- LUBRICATION: Adequate body water helps lubricate, protect, and cushion your organs, joints, spinal cord, and connective tissues. Staying hydrated will allow you to exercise with less discomfort and reduce your risk of injury; it may also speed up recovery time. It can also help ease arthritis symptoms.
Are you feeling inspired to start drinking more water yet, if so please read on to learn about my 10 Hydration Tips:
- Start your morning with 1-2 cups of water before you consume anything else (like coffee….)
- For every 1⁄2 hour of exercise, drink 1 additional cup water
- Drink half your body weight in ounces each day of water
- For every caffeinated and/or alcoholic beverage consumed, you typically need an additional cup of water to counteract their diuretic impact.
- Replace salty snacks with vegetables and fruits. The produce with the highest water content includes: cucumber, tomato, watercress, apples, celery, lettuce, watermelon, peaches, zucchini.
- Replace juice and soda with water. Juice and soda are both essentially sugar water which contribute to weight gain and increased risk for diabetes.
- Splurge on a reusable water bottle that brings you joy and encourages you to drink more water. My latest favorite is Zulu Ace 24 ounce stainless steel water bottle available at Target; it has a flip top for easy drinking, removable spout and bottom to facilitate washing, and is 100% leak-free! I also love Life Factory glass water bottles but they are not as convenient due to the risk of breaking; they have 3 different lid types for versatility. I am also very fond of my HydroFlask for herbal tea and organic decaf coffee.
- Try fruit infused water, mineral water, or carbonated water if you dislike plain water.
- Keep track of what you are drinking. Try Daily Water Drink Reminder app (free download) which allows you to track how much you drink and will keep a record or use your fitness tracker if this feature is an option on your device.
- Set alarms on your phone every 1-2 hours to remind you to drink.
I challenge you to start carrying your water with you, just like you carry your purse, money clip, or wallet. Start keeping track of how much you drink and see how it benefits your overall quality of life.