Water is essential for all living things. Without it we die. So then why do we so callously overlook a simple little thing like drinking our daily needed 64 ounces of water? The answers as to why not come in the preverbal bucket loads, but regardless it’s important and vital to understand the importance of making sure we hydrate on a daily basis.
Proper Hydration
H2O, or water for those of you who don’t dig chemistry, makes up about more than half your body weight. Every single one of your organs, cells, and pieces of tissue need water to survive and function correctly. Even though your body is mostly comprised of this liquid of life, it’s lost throughout each day. You lose your bodies water through activities like sweating, going to the bathroom, and strangely enough breathing.
Without proper hydration the body will start to dehydrate. Dehydration causes numerous problems such as headaches, fatigue, confusion, extreme thirst, dry mouth, dizziness, and in severe cases death. Dehydration can occur without you even realizing it, especially in young children. Severe hydration is more easily recognized and normally happens in extreme heat/cold or large amounts of fluid loss like in cases of vomiting and diarrhea. Crazy enough, a high percentage of individuals suffer from mild dehydration everyday. And, of course, the main culprit is lack of proper hydration.
How to stay Hydrated
There are several ways you can properly hydrate, with the most important drinking water. On average an individual should have about 64 ounces a day, or 6 to 8 8-ounce glasses. However, this can vary especially if you are an athlete or live in more extreme climates. Aside from drinking water you can also consume other beverages such as milk, fruit juice, vegetables juices, and herbal teas. But bare in mind that with these comes more fat and calories. Another option you have is sports drink. BUT, understand that these are mostly geared for individuals who experience high amounts of fluid loss. Whether that is from exercising or vomiting/diarrhea.
In reality, the best way to stay hydrated is by drinking water. Although, as most of you know, that’s not always an easy task. That is why some helpful tips of the trade may be just the ticket to keep the H20 flowing. The first tip is always keeping a bottle of water with you. The trick to this is finding a bottle you love that is easy to carry and refill. Tip 2, start and end each day with a glass of water. This ensures you get at least 2 glasses, leaving the rest of day to make up for the rest. If plain water bores you try adding some flavor enhancers like lemon or lime to help give it some pizzazz. If you’re hungry, drink water! Believe it or not, a lot of your midday hunger pains come from dehydration. By drinking water you not only take care of that problem but you save a few calories in the process. Finally, make an effort to order water when you go out to eat. It keeps you hydrated and saves you calories and money!
Staying hydrated is one of the most important things you can do. It keeps your body healthy and functioning. By making an effort to drink H2O everyday you will eliminate the possibility of dehydration keeping you happy and ready to face each and everyday!
