Yet even if we look deeper, the brain and the heart are composed of even more, 73% to be accurate. Our skin is 64% and our muscles and kidneys are 79% while our lungs are made up of an astounding 83% water. The topic of hydration is nothing new, but did you know that even mild dehydration can have detrimental effects on your physical and mental performance? In this post, we’ll highlight the benefits of proper hydration, signs of dehydration, and easy tips you can use to help stay hydrated.
The benefits of proper hydration
Improved physical performance and energy levels
Even Harvard Medical School recognizes that when you’re low on water, your energy levels will also decrease. Your body is constantly losing water, yes, even now. And even if you’re sitting down while reading this, you are still losing water. You need to replenish these lost fluids to optimize your energy. Plus, if you love to be active, which we all need to be, fluid replacement helps reduce oxidative stress necessary for better recovery and essential for improved performance.
Better cognitive function and mental clarity
Remember how we mentioned your brain is made up of about 73% water? Even a small loss can impact your ability to focus, your memory recall, and yes, your mood. Dehydration can also lead to headaches, which, in turn, hinders your ability to focus on a task or function. And, if you find yourself on the grumpy side of the bed in the morning, adding water to your morning routine will benefit your mood a lot more than drinking caffeine ever will.
Healthy skin and complexion
Beauty products are part of a billion-dollar industry. And yet if people only knew how much money they could save by staying hydrated with water rather than buying all those serums and creams. Water is crucial for maintaining skin’s elasticity. Not only does water minimize those pesky soft lines, otherwise known as wrinkles, on your skin including your face, but it also impacts your skin biomechanics.
What are skin biomechanics, you ask? The biomechanics of your skin determine whether or not your skin will develop a scar during healing rather than regenerating the skin. It also relates to how well your skin conforms and protects your body. Want your skin and complexion to maintain that youthful glow without blowing your savings on expensive skin creams? Hydrate from the inside, with water.
Proper digestion and nutrient absorption
Remember that delicious meal you ate last night? Well, let’s pretend that you didn’t have any water since then. What would that mean? First, it would mean that your body would have a hard time absorbing all the valuable nutrients inside that meal. Whether it be the vitamin A from the salad you ate or the fibre from the quinoa, water is absolutely essential to break down the food we eat and release the nutrients hidden inside. Second, not enough water means foods have a harder time breaking down and moving through your digestive tract. So, if you’re not drinking enough water, you can expect to spend more time than necessary in the washroom (and not just because you take your phone with you).
Weight management support
You’ve likely heard it before, you’re not hungry, you’re thirsty. Well, get ready to hear it again. Increasing your water intake helps quench your body’s need for water. Sometimes, our body has a hard time distinguishing between hunger and thirst, so your best bet is to try drinking some water first before you reach for that afternoon snack. Consuming more water may also help in losing weight.
Signs of dehydration
Here’s how to recognize the signs of dehydration so that you never let yourself get to the point of low energy, eating when you’re thirsty, and more.
Fatigue and weakness
Remember how we mentioned that increased water can help with improved physical performance and energy levels, well, the opposite is also true. If you’re feeling overly tired or weak, try drinking water for a natural pick-me-up.
Dry mouth and throat
You know that feeling. Like you’ve walked days through the Sahara Desert without an oasis in sight. If your mouth is feeling dry, you’re already past slightly dehydrated; get yourself some water, immediately.
Headaches and dizziness
Headaches can be caused by many things, including stress. But they are also a sign that you need more water. Sip water slowly for better absorption.
Muscle cramps
Ever been viciously woken up in the night with the worst Charlie horse of your life? That’s your body’s way of saying “Hey, you, I need more water!” Pregnant women will often suffer from frequent muscle cramps because their baby takes a lot of water.
Dark-coloured urine
Anyone else give a small fist pump when you go pee and notice your urine is a nice, pale yellow? No, just us? If you notice you frequently fall on the other side of dark-coloured urine, we’re sorry to say, you’re dehydrated.
But lucky for you, here are some tips to help get your hydration levels up to where they need to be.
Tips for staying hydrated
💧Drink water regularly throughout the day.
💧Adjust your water intake based on your activity level and climate.
💧Limit caffeine and alcohol intake – both are known for dehydrating the body.
💧Eat water-rich foods – fruits and vegetables count towards your daily water intake.
💧Use your urine colour as an indicator of how hydrated you are and adjust accordingly.
💧Pay attention to your body’s signals – mood, fatigue, energy levels.
💧Set a water goal.
💧Get in the habit of drinking a glass of water before each meal (including snacks).
💧Hydrate first thing each morning to replenish lost fluids at night.
💧Invest in a fancy water bottle such as the WaterH Boost Smart Water Bottle that helps you with all of the above.
Final hydration thoughts
Hydration is a fundamental pillar of overall health and wellness. By understanding the vital role water plays in your body and the numerous benefits of proper hydration, you can make conscious efforts to prioritize your daily water intake. Remember, even mild dehydration can have detrimental effects, so it's crucial to listen to your body's signals and replenish fluids regularly. Level up your water intake with the intuitive nature of the WaterH Bottle and make staying hydrated convenient and sustainable.
