Pointer: Hydration
Hydration = elevation!
Water is the source of all life. Okay – slight exaggeration – but it’s true that our bodies are made up of a third water, and we need to stay hydrated every day to prevent an influx of issues.
You probably don’t drink enough of it. If you do, it’s likely you aren’t sure about the required amount, or why exactly it’s so important. Not enough people take drinking water seriously enough, partly because its impact isn’t exactly instant.
We’re here to tell you that it makes a big difference in many areas of life – from everyday performance to serious long-term health effects. Every sip that we take improves our health and increases our energy, but it just isn’t discussed enough.
How does drinking water affect us?
- Improves brain function and memory.
- Delivers oxygen and nutrients around the body.
- Lubricates the joints and spinal disks.
- Promotes skin health and glow.
- Helps maintain skin temperature and blood pressure.
- Ensures waste removal in digestion process.
What does dehydration do to the body?
On the flip side, not drinking enough can lead to negative health issues including impaired energy levels, mood, and stamina as well as major reductions in memory and brain performance.
A good indicator is urine. Use this NHS table to help identify dehydration.
(1 to 3 = healthy pee, 4 to 8 = you must hydrate!)
How much water do you need to drink?
A general rule of thumb is to drink at least 1.2 litres of water a day (6-8 glasses). However, most adults should ideally be drinking more than this – around 35ml per kilogram of bodyweight to be exact.
Based on average bodyweight within the UK, most people should aim to drink between 2.5-3 litres of water a day.
When should I drink water?
Drinking enough water often comes down to making it a habit. Make your daily water goal more manageable by dividing it into the number of glasses or bottles you need to drink throughout the day, and then for every hour. If you have a 500ml water bottle, aim to refill it every couple of hours in a 12-hour day.
Drinking a glass after waking up in the morning is highly recommended to help with memory energy and brain fog – remember, the body has just been without it all night long!
Happy hydrating!
Sources: Dehydration - NHS (www.nhs.uk) | The-Importance-of-Hydration-Article.pdf (sath.nhs.uk)| Water, drinks and your health - NHS (www.nhs.uk)