Hydration is Everything!

Have you considered how important water is to your physical wellbeing? How about your mood? How much water do you drink every day?

It was not until I had a health scare and got serious about nutrition that I fully appreciated the importance of water. Before that, I understood you needed to be hydrated, but considered all forms of liquid fair game, and the only times I drank water were when I had no other option. I grew up in a house where we had juice with breakfast and milk with lunch and dinner, and at other times there was always Kool Aid, or later Crystal Light or Diet Coke in the house. As an adult my intake was mostly coffee and Diet Coke for years. The resilience of the human body is an incredible thing!

Your body has more water in it than any other element, by far. Water makes our skin supple, makes our blood flow, provides a medium for electrical impulses to occur, and enables our bodies to transport and absorb nutrients and to get rid of waste. If you are dehydrated, you may experience muscle cramps, an irritable mood, a dry mouth, a brutal headache, joint pain, or any of many other ailments. You may not be able to think straight. Extreme dehydration can lead to death. Lower levels of chronic dehydration contribute to a host of illnesses and have a negative impact on metabolism. A lot of chronically dehydrated people mistake thirst for hunger, and as a result eat too much and gain weight. One of the best things overweight people can do to lose weight is to drink a lot of water.

You should be drinking in ounces at least 1/2 of your body weight in pounds every day. For example, if you weigh 160 pounds you should drink a minimum of 80 ounces of water per day. You may increase that number if you are engaging in strenuous exercise or are in a very hot climate. It is possible to overdose on water, so don't feel the need to be an overachiever on this. Just get your ounces in and do it every day!

How can you be sure to get all that water in? Try keeping a glass of water on your desk or nearby and drink regularly as you go through the day. If you wait until you feel thirsty you are already getting dehydrated. Drink from something you have measured so you know how many ounces you are getting in, and track it for as long as you need to make it a habit.  If you are a water hater, consider flavoring your water. Put a container in your refrigerator or on the countertop and slice fruit or even cucumbers into the water. 

It's up to you whether you want to give up your coffee or tea, or alcohol, but keep in mind that each of those things actually have a dehydrating effect. They may be liquids, but they do not count as water and may in fact require additional hydration.

If you can only do ONE THING to make yourself feel more healthy, energetic and focused, start with water!