Are You Drinking Enough Water?
Summer is now in full swing which means we need to be extra diligent with our water intake. We lose water every day and when we fail to replenish our water supply, we not only experience discomfort, but we also miss out on many of the health benefits that proper water intake can provide.
Why Do We Need Water?
Water is necessary for survival and essential to your health and beauty. Every cell and organ in our body depend on water to function properly. Water makes up approximately 60 to 70 percent of the human body by weight. Not only that, but the human brain is made up of 95% water, blood is 82% water, and lungs are 90% water which is why it’s crucial to stay hydrated to keep our bodies running smoothly.
Water Assists With:
- Digestion and absorption of food
- Removal of toxins from your body (it is the best agent for detoxification)
- Maintaining proper muscle tone
- Forming the fluids that surround the joints
- Regulating the body temperature
- Regulating the metabolism
- Nourishing your skin cells
Signs and Symptoms of Dehydration:
- Fatigue
- Excessive thirst
- Headache
- Dizziness or feeling lightheaded
- Infrequent or dark urination
- Muscle weakness or cramping
Why Drink Water After a Massage or Other Bodywork?
After any bodywork session, it is always recommended that you continue to drink water throughout the rest of the day. Massages are dehydrating as working the muscles moves fluid from your soft tissue to your circulatory system.
Even more importantly, you need to give your body water to properly flush out metabolic waste produced by muscles in use. Tight, sore muscles are usually due to a build up of toxins in your muscles. Massage breaks up these toxins and drinking water helps flush them from your system reducing any soreness after your session.
How Much Water Should You Be Drinking Daily?
The general rule of thumb is that you should be drinking half of your body weight in ounces of water every day. So for example, if you weight 100 lbs, you should be drinking roughly 50 oz of water every single day. Keep in mind however, that the amount of water you need may vary according to your gender, weight, and activity level. Those who are extremely active, will need more water on a daily basis.
If you are struggling to get enough water on a daily basis, try replacing one or more of your calorie-laden and artificial soft drinks with water each day. If you need to add a little flavor to your water, consider adding a few slices of fruits or vegetables such as a slice of lemon or some cucumbers. You can also drink ice cold water to rev up your metabolism and drink pure filtered water throughout the day for optimum health and detoxification.
Originally published May 14, 2014, Updated July 15, 2019 by Nicole Morrison
Photo Credit: Canva
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