Hydration: 9 Reasons You Really Should Be Drinking Water

We all know intuitively that staying well hydrated is good for our health – you can’t have missed those messages can you?

Nevertheless I see so many clients who simply don’t have enough of the good stuff going in for their bodies to be hydrated at a cellular level. It’s really common, so don’t give yourself a hard time about it; just understand what your current position is and find ways to improve that works for you.

Why Should I Bother?

If you need a few incentives let me tell you some reasons why you should be drinking water

1. 50-70% of your body is water – yes you read that right! It’s in every cell, in all the fluid between the cells, a key part of your blood and lymph, the base of sweat and urine.

2. Athletic Performance – if you want to be your absolute best in the gym, on the track or riding your bike then hydration is key. It helps manage your temperature, blood pressure and gets those essential nutrients to the right places.

3. Weight Management – water can act as a natural appetite suppressant and by helping with digestion and detoxification it also supports the healthy weight loss process.

4. Boost Your Mood – hydration is shown to boost your mood by helping keep energy levels high, support a good night’s sleep and ensuring those critical chemical messengers get transported to the right places.

5. Bolster Your Brain Function – ever felt fuzzy headed and had clouded think when you’re dehydrated? It’s all connected and good hydration will support good cognitive function.

6. Steer Clear of Headaches – we all know that once we’ve got a headache, it’s too late, we’re already dehydrated. Yes, headaches are one of the primary drivers of getting a headache. Don’t depend on the medication – keep yourself hydrated and see if you notice a difference.

7. Digestion – your digestive system needs water to help the healthy flow of matter through the system, prevent constipation, and ensure optimal absorption of nutrients from your food.

8. Detoxification – there are lots of organs involved in ensuring toxins leaving your system in a safe and healthy way – and all of them involve water in some way. Think digestion, urination, the lymph system, sweating and the moisture in your breath.

9. Movement – good hydration enables your joints and muscles to be lubricated, thereby facilitating ease and fluidity of movement.

How Much Water Should I Drink?

Always think of this in relation to your own lifestyle, environment and activity levels. The guidelines remain that an adult should be drinking a minimum of 2 litres of water daily, so use that as your starting point.

Temperatures inside and out, your activity levels, certain medications, your diet, caffeine and alcohol intake, and your overall health will indicate how much more you need.

You should get the majority of your intake from plain water, but remember that herbal teas and fruits and vegetables can also contribute.

Generally, if you drink enough fluid so that you rarely feel thirsty and your urine is colorless or light yellow then your fluid intake is probably adequate.

Hydration is just one of the subjects we cover in our upcoming Masterclass ‘I Am Energised’ – you’ll leave informed and empowered to be super energised. Find out more: https://www.facebook.com/makelifeamazinguk/

Deborah Bulcock

BA, MA, Dip Nut (CNM), mBANT, CNHC
www.facebook.com/vitalehealthuk
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