As the universal transport that feeds the approximately 75 trillion cells in our body, water is more important and more essential than anything else we put into our bodies. As our cells thrive on water, everything we do is dependent upon this single nutrient. Constantly in a state of replenishment and rejuvenation, our cells act as the building blocks behind our immune, digestive and respiratory systems. Without proper hydration, our cells lose their ability to function properly, and in turn, the many intricate systems within our bodies fail to function as they are meant to. Water perpetuates the very life we live, which is why we must take a much closer look at how we hydrate.
It is unfortunate to learn that we are in the midst of a dehydration epidemic. Continual loss of water over time results in significant risks to our health, however, many choose to ignore this fact and continue to ignore the importance of proper hydration. Perhaps you know that your body’s weight is made up of over 60% water. And while this may seem like a compelling and interesting fact, to you, it may seem to be only that; a statistic that carries little significance for you in your everyday life. You might figure that you get along just fine with the amount of water you drink everyday. No need to reassess, right? WRONG. When it comes to your health, there are few things that are as important as keeping your body hydrated, as water is an essential element in allowing your body to function properly.
The symptoms of dehydration that we suffer from on a regular basis are rarely attributed to lack of hydration, and shockingly, if our body’s water content drops by just 2%, we suffer from fatigue, as well as other symptoms. Think about all the ways we try to counteract the single symptom of fatigue – we drink caffeine, energy drinks, take supplements, and increase our amount of sleep. Often times, these attempts do little to help our fatigued state, and if we only drank more water, it is likely this issue would be remedied! Such a simple solution to an obvious problem, but for some reason, we don’t take a step back and ask ourselves why, which should be the easiest step of all! In addition to fatigue, other symptoms of early dehydration include: headache, anxiety, depression, irritability, cramps, muscle soreness, and cravings. These symptoms are not only a result of not drinking enough water, but also a result of our lifestyle and our dietary habits which increase the onset of dehydration on a daily basis. Consuming processed food, coffee, sodas, alcohol, and smoking, as well as exercising and living in low humidity environments are all factors that cause our bodies to lose water. Combine these water-loss variables with the reality that most of us aren’t hydrating nearly as much as we should, and it should be no surprise that Americans are suffering from a dehydration epidemic. Now, do you still think you are drinking enough water? Might any of these symptoms of early dehydration sound familiar in your everyday life? Most likely, you are living in a constant state of dehydration and you don’t even know it.
The Run Down
Most of the water in our body is found in our blood vessels and extra cellular space (the space in between our cells). As we breath, urinate, and even sweat, water is leaving our body – and we must replenish the water we lose to retain normal functioning of our internal organs and systems. Deprived of hydration, our body starts showing symptoms immediately. In addition to headaches, fatigue, and earlier mentioned symptoms, the following are symptoms of progressed dehydration:
- Heartburn
- Joint and back pain
- Migraine headaches
- Fibromyalgia
- Constipation/colitis
- Chest pain
- Asthma and allergies
- Adult onset diabetes
- Hypertension
- Autoimmune disorders
- Skin disorders (psoriasis, eczema, etc.)
What To Do
Amazingly, we lose approximately 2-3 quarts of water each day by simply going about our normal lives. This amount significantly increases with additional exertion or exercise, and changes in temperature, altitude, or humidity. Because of this, it is immensely important that we not only hydrate, but also act to drink the most hydrating water we possibly can, and decrease the amount of dehydrating elements in our diets. The following are tips to keep your body well hydrated and functioning at an optimal level:
- Drink alkaline water for the ultimate in hydration. Remember that not all water is created equal, and by drinking water that has a balanced pH, you are better hydrating your body. Most sources of water (such as tap and bottled water) have either a neutral pH or higher acidity level, which can be dehydrating. So when you grab for water, try to make it the most hydrating water possible.
- Always have water available – in the car, at your office, beside your bed, etc. You should always have some nearby and ready to drink.
- Use an alarm to remind you to drink water regularly and often.
- Cut out the elements of your diet that are dehydrating, such as sodas, coffee and alcohol. If you can’t bring yourself to cut some of these out, make a commitment to drink 2-3 glasses of water for every dehydrating thing you put in your body.
- Use lemon/lime or a natural additive to give the water some flavor.
- Assign yourself a certain amount of water to be drank with certain activities (i.e. drink two glasses while watching the morning news, or one glass of water while reading a book).
There you have it. Not only are we not getting enough water, but our lifestyles contribute to further dehydration on a daily basis. The diagnosis is a simple one, and the solutions are just as simple. All it takes is a little care on your part to drink more water, drink the most hydrating water possible, and limit the dehydrating things we put into our bodies. As long as we can keep our bodies balanced in this way, more than 60% of our body will be happy, which makes it more than likely the rest of our body will follow suit. So take a step back and think about those headaches that ruin your workday, the fatigue that often plagues your week, or the feelings of discomfort that you have come to pass off as just normal, everyday problems that you must live with. Those symptoms are signs your body is not in balance – that is why they show up – to warn you of the hydration you are lacking. So listen to your body, and get hydrated! Your body will thank you.
Please feel free to contact us if you might be interested in receiving additional tips on greatly improving your health from a professional – very simple things that you can do on a daily basis for tremendous results! Contact Us for FREE guidance and advice that really works – no obligation!
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