Get Your Daily Dose of H2O: Why Staying Hydrated is Critical
How about a glass of ice-cold water? While it sounds great to some, it sounds awful to others. But love it or loathe it, drinking water is essential, and not just for reasons you might guess. Proper hydration can have a surprisingly significant impact on overall health and wellness.
Check out this list of perks you get from proper hydration. Water alone can improve your quality of life!
Improved Physical Performance: Dehydration can lead to a decrease in physical performance, especially during intense exercise or physical activity. Adequate hydration helps to maintain energy levels, improve muscle function, and prevent fatigue.
Enhanced Brain Function: Dehydration can also affect brain function, leading to a decrease in concentration, memory, and cognitive abilities. Proper hydration helps to keep the brain functioning at its best by providing it with the fluids it needs to function properly.
Improved Skin Health: Proper hydration can also improve the appearance and health of the skin. Dehydration can lead to dry, dull, and wrinkled skin, whereas proper hydration can help to plump the skin and give it a healthy, radiant appearance.
Better Digestion: Adequate hydration is also important for proper digestion. Dehydration can lead to constipation and other digestive issues, but proper hydration helps to keep the digestive system functioning smoothly.
Increased Energy: Proper hydration can also help to increase energy levels and prevent fatigue. When the body is properly hydrated, it is better able to function at its optimal level, which can lead to increased energy and vitality.
Weight Loss: Drinking water can help with weight loss in a few different ways. First, it can help to fill you up and reduce your appetite, which can lead to eating less. Additionally, water can help to boost metabolism and increase fat burning, which can also aid in weight loss.
Relief from Headaches: Dehydration is a common cause of headaches, and increasing water intake can help to alleviate this type of headache. If you are prone to headaches, try drinking a glass of water as soon as you start to feel a headache coming on.
Improved Mood: Dehydration can also affect mood, leading to feelings of irritability and fatigue. Proper hydration can help to improve mood by keeping the body and brain functioning at their best.
Better Sleep: Adequate hydration can also improve sleep quality. When the body is dehydrated, it can lead to restless nights and difficulty falling asleep. Drinking water can help to regulate body temperature and maintain proper hydration, which can lead to better sleep.
Enhanced Immune Function: Proper hydration is also important for maintaining a strong immune system. Water helps to flush out toxins and waste products from the body, which can help to keep the immune system functioning at its best.
Are You Dehydrated?
If the long list of benefits isn’t enough, how about the negatives you can avoid? If you’re experiencing any of the following unpleasant symptoms, the culprit could be your lack of hydration. Take note!
Constipation: Dehydration can lead to constipation because it causes the colon to absorb more water from the stool, making it harder and more difficult to pass.
Dry Mouth and Bad Breath: Dehydration can also lead to dry mouth, which can cause bad breath. Saliva helps to wash away bacteria and food particles in the mouth, and when the body is dehydrated, there is less saliva produced, leading to an increase in bacteria and bad breath.
Muscle Cramps: Dehydration can also cause muscle cramps, especially during exercise. When the body is dehydrated, it can lead to an electrolyte imbalance, which can cause muscle cramps.
Increase in Illnesses: Dehydration can also weaken the immune system, making the body more susceptible to infection. Proper hydration helps to flush out toxins and waste products from the body, which can help to keep the immune system functioning at its best.
Dizziness and Lightheadedness: Dehydration can also cause dizziness and lightheadedness due to a decrease in blood volume. When the body is dehydrated, the heart has to work harder to pump blood, which can lead to dizziness and lightheadedness.
What You Can Do If You Hate Water
There are options for hydrating even if you don't like water. It’s worth it to find something that works for you and stick with it to stay properly hydrated. Here are some ideas to try:
Drink-flavored water: There are many flavored water options available that can make water more palatable. Some flavored water options include fruit-infused water, herbal water, and even water with a splash of fruit juice.
Try water with a twist: If you don't like the taste of plain water, try adding a slice of lemon, lime, or cucumber to give it a refreshing twist.
Drink herbal tea: Herbal tea can be a hydrating alternative to water, and there are many flavors to choose from. Just be sure to avoid teas that contain caffeine, as caffeine can actually dehydrate the body.
Drink fruit and vegetable juices: Juices made from fruits and vegetables can be a hydrating option, especially if they are made with mostly water-based fruits and vegetables. Don’t go overboard with juices, however, as they can be high in sugar.
Eat hydrating foods: There are also many foods that can help to hydrate the body. These include water-rich foods like fruits and vegetables, as well as foods that contain a high amount of water, such as soups and stews.
Try one of these flavored water recipes: Both are easy to make and can be a refreshing way to hydrate. You can try experimenting with different fruit and herb combinations to find a flavor that you enjoy.
Strawberry Lemon Water
1 pint of fresh strawberries
1 medium lemon, sliced
1 quart water
Instructions:
Wash the strawberries and slice them in half.
Slice the lemon into thin slices.
In a pitcher, combine the strawberries, lemon slices, and water.
Allow the mixture to infuse in the refrigerator for at least an hour or overnight.
Serve over ice and enjoy!
Cucumber Mint Water
1 medium cucumber, sliced
1 cup fresh mint leaves
1 quart water
Instructions:
Wash the cucumber and slice it into thin rounds.
Wash the mint leaves and roughly chop them.
In a pitcher, combine the cucumber slices, mint leaves, and water.
Allow the mixture to infuse in the refrigerator for at least an hour or overnight.
Serve over ice and enjoy!