Water is Life

Holistic

May 3

Since we were young, many of us have been told to drink more water. You may have heard that it’s important to drink lots of water because your body is made up of about 70% water. You may have been told to drink at least 8 glasses of water each day. And yet, according to numerous sources, about 75% of Americans are still chronically dehydrated!

All of our body systems need water to function well. When we are not getting enough water, our bodies will start to show us signs that something isn’t right.

How do you know if you are dehydrated?

You feel thirsty
You feel tired or lack energy
Dark colored urine or infrequent urination
Dry mouth or skin
Headaches or dizziness
Muscle cramps

What about chronic dehydration?

Very dark colored urine or no urination at all
Confusion, delirium, or unconsciousness
Rabid breathing or fast heart rate
Depressed mood or irritability
Chronic fatigue
Other physical symptoms, such as constipation, joint stiffness, and stomach ulcers

If you feel you drink enough water but still experience some of these symptoms, you may be missing electrolytes (like potassium or sodium) from your diet. This can be a simple fix by drinking a low sugar sports drink with electrolytes or adding a small amount of salt to your water - not the most flavorful option, but it will help get the job done!

Last Fall, my grandma had a scary incident that landed her in the hospital after she had not been feeling well and seemed “out of it.” We found out that she was drinking TONS of water, but was lacking those essential electrolytes. Now she has been drinking water and Powerade Zero and has no such problems since!

So, how can you help solve this problem and drink the water that you need??

Add flavor to your water with fruit or veggie slices

When I don’t have that option available, I do use Lemonade flavored Mio. It’s not the best option but does help me drink lots of water throughout the day - it’s delicious!)

Try unsweetened teas
Eat plenty of fruits and veggies
Carry a reusable water bottle with you (BPA free whenever possible)

An environmentally friendly option that encourages you to drink more. My clients can tell you that I always have my large, 32 oz Nalgene bottle with me and refill it numerous times throughout the day.