Water is an essential need that most people don't get enough of. Dehydration can cause many health problems including, dizziness, fatigue, headaches, and dry mouth. We've all heard we should be drinking plenty of water, especially if we're exercising, out in hot weather, sick, or pregnant. But what are the best strategies we can use to stay hydrated? There are a few general rules, such as "drink 8 cups of water everyday" or "drink half your body weight in ounces", but there is a lot more to learn when it comes to maintaining hydration.
Temperature Matters
Unlike other cultures, restaurants in America always serve icy beverages. This is quite a difference compared to warm teas that are the norm in Asian countries. But they're the ones who get it right. Icy cold drinks cause digestion to slow down and make your body work harder to bring the liquid up to our warm body temperature. You may have heard this is a way to burn more calories, but it's at the cost of using more precious digestive energy. Warm or room temperature water is way better for staying hydrated and it will aid in digestion. I always ask for no ice in my water when I'm eating out.
Time of Day
The morning is a great time to hydrate your body since you've most likely become dehydrated during the night. I start my day with warm lemon water and a glowing green smoothie. This gives me energy, a great deal of nutrition, and hydration to start my day right. Of course you should be drinking water throughout the day as well, but filling up in the morning lays the foundation for a well hydrated day!
Avoid Chugging with Meals
In the Beauty Detox Solution, Kimberly Snyder, C.N., explains "Drink significant quantities of water at least half an hour before your meals or an hour following meals. During mealtimes, we must drink as little as possible. Too much liquid with meals dilutes our digestive juices and delays digestion considerably. What happens when digestion is delayed? It contributes to the dreaded sludge by increasing the chances that purification and fermentation will occur." (p.49) We want to make digestion as easy as possible, so save the high water intake for before and after meals.
Water Quality
Tap water can be full of chemicals such as chlorine, so make sure you're drinking filtered water. This is also a better option over bottled water since you really don't know what you're getting, not to mention you'll avoid drinking out of plastic.
Fruits are Hydrating
Juicy fruits like watermelon, strawberries, and blueberries have a high water content, along with many vitamins and minerals. Fruit is one of the purest foods you can put into your body. Fruit is a great snack option as long as you're eating it on an empty stomach. Fruit digests faster than any other food group. Eating fruit after meals will cause it to ferment in your stomach costing more digestive energy and causing purification.
Spa Water and Other Options
Some people don't like to drink plain water. As I mentioned before, I add lemon juice (which is full of Vitamin C) to my water in the morning, but you can do this throughout the day as well if you'd like some flavor. Steeping ginger in your water or adding Apple Cider Vinegar are other quick options which offer health benefits. If you want to get really creative, you can make your own spa water. There are many options for this such as cucumber, mint, lime, or even strawberry. Check out Pinterest for more spa water recipes! Coconut water is also a great option because it naturally has electrolytes. Avoiding soda and sports drinks is always a healthy choice because they're full of toxic ingredients that will only cause your body harm.
A good hydration test is how often you pee and what color it is. If you're not peeing clear throughout the day, this is an indication you could be dehydrated and you should consider how you can increase your water intake. Hydration is so important for the human body and I believe it's often overlooked. Make hydrating yourself a daily focus to look forward to so you can take care of your body in one of the most vital ways there is!