The importance of proper hydration should never be overlooked. After all, your body depends on water to survive and function at its best. Water is vital to making sure that every organ, cell and tissue in our body is working properly. Drinking enough can be a challenge for some people, but there are steps that you can take to make it easier for you. This is what we are going to cover in this article, in addition to explaining the importance of hydration and the negative impact of dehydration on the body. So, grab yourself a glass of water and get reading!
The Importance of Hydration
Water is believed to make up approximately two-thirds of our body. Drinking enough (about eight glasses per day) is vital to our overall well-being. It can help to regulate your temperature, remove waste and provide lubrication for your muscles and joints. It can also help to prevent the following health conditions:
- Headaches;
- Constipation;
- Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs);
- General poor health;
- Skin conditions;
- Ulcers;
- Kidney stones;
- Dizziness.
Side Effects of Dehydration
Dehydration refers to your body losing more fluid than it’s taking in. It can be a minor problem if it’s resolved quickly; however, it can turn serious if it’s not addressed. So, what are the side effects of dehydration? There are many negative side effects. For example, feeling tired or dizzy, having a dry mouth and lips, peeing less frequently and dark and strong-smelling urine.
Your risk of becoming dehydrated increases if you have a fever, heatstroke, you have drunk too much alcohol, exercise, sweating or medical conditions like diabetes. It can also cause headaches and lead you to experience lapses in concentration. Make sure that you drink plenty of fluids if you experience any of these symptoms. Water is best at helping to rehydrate your body. If you are feeling poorly, such as being sick or experiencing diarrhoea, then it’s important for you to try and stay as hydrated as you can. This is because your body can lose a lot of water during this time. Begin with small sips of water and work your way up to drinking more as you are able.
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In case you notice that someone is experiencing a weak or rapid pulse, hasn’t passed urine in eight hours, is confused or is experiencing fits, then phone for an ambulance as this is classed as a medical emergency. They will need to be treated for severe dehydration. You should keep a close eye on your child’s fluid intake, the elderly and people with certain medical conditions.
Tips For Drinking More
It’s easier said than done, and some individuals out there really struggle to reach their daily recommended amount of fluid intake. Fortunately, you can take many easy steps to improve this. Take note of the following top five tips to help you drink more.
Add Flavours
Adding flavours to your water can help to encourage you to drink more. You could add some slices of lime or lemon for a fresh and tangy flavour. If you prefer a sweet taste, then why not cut up some strawberries and add them to your water? You can purchase water bottles specifically for adding the flavours of real fruit. This can be handy as it will allow you to drink on the go.
Add Variety
While water is always going to be the best drink for your health, other drinks also contribute to your overall fluid intake. This could mean you drink fruit juice, squash, tea, coffee, herbal drinks – you name it. Adding a variety of drinks to your diet can help to encourage you to drink, particularly if you get bored easily. Try to avoid energy drinks, too much caffeine and fizzy drinks. They can be dehydrating and they aren’t the healthiest of beverages.
Eat Fruit and Vegetables
Eating plenty of fruit and vegetables вгкштп the day is a great idea for your general health, but it can also help to keep your hydration levels up. Choose fruits and vegetables that have a high water content, such as kiwis, cucumbers, peaches, broccoli, watermelon and more. You can also create some delicious recipes with these types of foods, all the while boosting your fluid intake.
Drink With Meals
Drinking regularly will help you to concentrate and prevent headaches. Make sure that you get yourself into a routine and drink a glass of water with your meals. This can help you to get into a pattern of drinking so that your mind associates mealtimes with hydrating yourself.
Drink Following Exercise
Following an exercise session, you will have likely lost a lot of fluid through sweat. It is important that you replace this lost fluid; otherwise, you are at risk of becoming dehydrated. Take a water bottle with you during your workout so that you can hydrate while you are exercising. This is also a good idea as it can help to keep your energy levels up while you exercise. Additionally, in case you live in a hot climate, then you will need to up your fluid intake. Again, it’s best to carry a water bottle with you while you are out and about, as hydrating on the go will help to prevent dehydration.
Add Electrolytes
Electrolytes are a group of minerals that play an important role in keeping fluids balanced on a cellular level. Electrolytes are lost during sweating, so it’s important to keep them topped up when it’s hot or exercising to keep hydration levels balanced.
While there are many sugar-fuelled electrolyte drinks on the market, you can simply make your own to enjoy electrolyte drinks without sugar. Simply add lemon and Himalayan salt to a glass of water, or try adding spirulina powder to a smoothie. Spirulina is chock-full of minerals, including electrolytes, magnesium and potassium. If you’re in need of an electrolyte drink on the go, why not try a refreshing sparking spirulina drink from fulcompany.com.
Final Thoughts
Maintaining hydration is vital for both your body and mind. It can help to prevent a range of health conditions, in addition to keeping dehydration at bay. If you live with vulnerable people, then make sure that you keep an eye on their fluid intake. Encourage them to drink more fluids throughout the day so that they stay healthy. You can also monitor yourself, and if you notice any symptoms of dehydration, then act right away to avoid any serious issues. You can also keep track of the colour of your urine with this handy urine colour chart. So, be sure that you make good use of our tips and take the steps to hydration for a healthier you.
