Hydration

Water is not the sexiest topic but incredibly important to our bodies and ultimately our energy.

It’s ironic how water is all around us and affects us every day from the shower and the ocean to washing our dishes and clothes.

Yet most of us act like we’re allergic to it when it consumes to consuming it. Why is that true more times than not?

If you’re interested in learning more…

Here’s are two options:

1. Listen to this episode from The Energy Edge Podcast (live link or on iTunes, Stitcher, etc.)
2. Continue reading this post

The human body is mostly water: about 55% to 75%, on average (and depending on how well hydrated you are). That’s about 10 to 12 gallons of water in your body!

The average human brain is composed of about 73% water. Our body mass is about 60% water.

You lose about 10 or more cups of water every day just living: breathing, sweating, urinating, etc. But are we adding any water back in…?

Here’s what you’ll learn in this post:
1. How little water we drink and the consequences
2. Common excuses why we don’t drink more water
3. Different types of water and their order of quality
4. 5 ways to add more water in your day
5. 6 benefits of drinking more water
6. 5 key questions we’re asked ALL the time about the topic of water.

As a result, here is the watered down truth about hydration.

How much fluid you need depends on a number of variables:

• Age: Kids need plenty of fluids; they can get dehydrated much more easily than adults. Older people may need more fluids because of health conditions or because they tend to lose their sense of thirst.
• Gender: Men need more fluids than women. (And pregnant women need more fluids than other women.)
• Weight: Heavier people need more water.
• Health: Conditions such as diabetes, cystic fibrosis, and kidney disease can boost your need for fluids.
• Environment: You need more fluids in extreme weather conditions (especially hot, humid, or cold) and at high altitudes.

Consequences of Not Drinking Enough Water.

When the water volume gets low, our brain functioning suffers. Research demonstrates that even mild dehydration can negatively affect our mood and our ability to think clearly.

Thirst is one of the first warning signals that you may be getting dehydrated. But don’t rely on thirst alone. Other early signs are fatigue, flushed skin, faster breathing and pulse rate, and having trouble exercising.

1. Decreased Urine Output
2. Dry Mucous Membranes in the Mouth and Nose
3. Fatigue
4. Decreased Coordination

But wait, there’s more. Then you could add more serious consequences: blood pressure changes, allergies, asthma, and back pain. Just giving you something to look forward to if you choose a parched life.

But this is amazing. Your body has water in every cell, tissue, and organ. It helps move nutrients, get rid of waste, keep your temperature at the right level, lubricate and cushion joints, keep your skin moisturized, and lots of other things.

Excuses About Water. 

1. I don’t like the taste of water
2. I don’t want to have to go to the bathroom all of the time
3. I get enough water in other ways (i.e.: coffee / juice / tea, sport drinks, etc)
4. I’m not really thirsty
5. Most people believe they’re just set in their ways and it’s too difficult to change now

Different Types of Water.

We have a lot of people asking us what type of water should i drink? Bottled, spring water, tap water, a water system, etc…

Here is the answer: UPGRADE where you are right now.

The bottom of the barrel is tap water but if you don’t drink water at all and that is your only option, drink it!

If you are at the store and you are staring at all the options? Choose spring water instead of purified because purified could mean a lot of things that have hidden toxins.

So, if you are drinking tap water, go for filtered water from your fridge or from the cooler at work. If you are a bottled water drinker, move from purified to spring water and eventually go for one with glass or add in some minerals to alkalize the water. The best water source would be an osmosis water system.

6 Benefits of Drinking More Water

1. Improves your mental abilities

2. Improves physical performance

3. Helps expel toxins

4. Helps lose weight

5. Reduces the risk of heart attacks and stroke

6. Improves bowel function

Five Simple Ideas to Add More Water Into Your Day.

1. Drink a glass of water when you get up in the morning before you have coffee or tea.

Have it conventions by your bed.
Inhale it before you bathe in it.

2. Keep a cup or water bottle by your desk at work. 

Take several sips of water each hour. If you don’t have a desk job, carry a container of water with you, and take sips throughout the day.

3. Take a sip whenever you pass a drinking fountain. 

Most of us work at a location that has a water fountain or water cooler. Or, like me, in an airport. Take a hit every time you pass. If you try this easy action item, you could potentially add another glass of water to your day.

4. Eat foods with high water content.

The foods you eat supply about 20 percent of the water you need. The rest comes from the beverages you drink.

Watermelon, celery, cucumbers, and leafy greens (think spring mix or spinach) are good, healthy choices. An apple is 84% water. Bananas are 74% water. Broccoli is 91% water.

5. Add natural flavor to your water.

This is for those who say you don’t like the taste of water

Lemon
Lime
Oranges
Strawberries
Blueberries
Cucumbers
Combinations of the above

Five Key Questions We’re Asked ALL the Time:

1. What about water in other beverages, isn’t that enough? –

Tea / coffee / juice / sports drinks / flavored water = these are tricky because most beverages we choose have caffeine which is a dehydrator. Sugar which often spikes our blood sugar and a dehydrator, and color chemicals.

2. Does it matter what temperature we should drink water?

Yes it does matter! If you are drinking all day long, drink it at room temperature. Drinking warm water when you’re constipated can help to move things along. The main cause of constipation is dehydration, so it’s essential to consume extra amounts of liquids. Warm water helps to stimulate blood flow and has a more soothing effect in the intestines than cold water. Now, you know how when you just finish a workout, or you are experiencing a really hot day and you are wanting an ice cold glass of water? this is because your body temperature has risen and you body naturally craves something to cool it down. the colder the better then.

3. When should you stop drinking water before bed?

Two hours before bed would be ideal. Your body is starting to slow down and get ready for rest. This could be why you get up in the middle of the night. The healthier you are and the more you drink in the beginning of your day, it will help flush your kidney’s and liver.

4. How do we maximize water for our bodies throughout the day?

Morning Elixir
Afternoon Cranberry Drink

www.livingtree.co/drink4health

5. What would an ideal 24 hour day of water look like?

First thing out of bed, an entire glass of water and /or your morning elixir
Half of the amount of water you are going to drink before noon
Stop a 30-45 min before eating, and don’t drink when you eat
Pick back up your water drinking or have a cup of tea (large cup) in two hours
Afternoon flush drink
Stop again for dinner (30-45 min)
Have another cup of tea somewhere around two hours before bed

In the End…

Here are three closing suggestions as a result of this post to take action:

1. Drink a glass of water or a morning elixir first thing in the morning.

2. Buy yourself a functional water bottle (and hopefully cool) to drink out of and all day long)

3. Try to drink half of your body weight in ounces (at your ideal weight) and preferably half of that amount by noon.

Let me know how this post encouraged you to add more water to your day…

For additional reading on water, I highly suggest checking out this article from Mocking Jay as a complimentary resource to this post. Great content!

Note: this post and podcast were co-written by Bryan Paul Buckley and Treva Yaccino