Why Water Makes You Feel Great

Photo courtesy of Karolina Grabowska via Pexels

Not long after I moved to Europe 20+ years ago, I stepped into the car with my water bottle and…wait, no drink holder in the car?   Luckily, cars have changed over the years, and, just like a security blanket, I’m now able to keep a water bottle close at hand.  It’s a good thing, too, because water is our life force.  Leonardo da Vinci said, “water is the driving force of all nature.” Without it, we can’t survive, and when we don’t get enough of it, we walk around feeling sluggish and unwell. 

How Water Impacts our Body

Water helps to keep our bodies in good running condition.  It flushes out toxins while keeping “good stuff” like nutrients moving around to where they need to get to in our bodies.  Sufficient daily water intake, either through water or foods, is thought to impact:

• Our mood
• Our ability to think clearly/be productive
• Physical performance
• Improved Digestion

Recognize the Signs of Dehydration

A general rule of thumb is that we can survive about three days without water.  Without drinking sufficient fluids, our body becomes dehydrated, causing it to stop functioning as it should.   After a long workout or on hot days it's essential to drink extra water. If not, we may become dehydrated. Or, if you habitually drink insufficient water on a daily basis, watch for signs of dehydration such as these mentioned by the Mayo Clinic and NHS websites:

• Very dark urine
• Thirst or mistaking thirst for hunger
• Joint and/or muscle pain
• Feeling sluggish
• Poor Concentration
• Headaches

Are You Getting Enough Water Each Day?

If not, you might consider using a daily water tracker until getting enough hydration becomes second nature.   There is no one size fits all guideline for daily consumption of fluids.  Weight, gender, age, and activity level all play a role.  The old rule of thumb many of us learned, is that we need a minimum of 6-8 glasses a day.  The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine determined that an adequate daily fluid intake is:

• About 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids a day for men
• About 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids a day for women

To take it a step further, visit the Hydration for Health website and use the hydration tool to get a better idea of your individual needs.   

But Water Tastes So…Mmm, Boring

Water isn’t the only thing that hydrates our body.  Instead of drinking more than 2 cups of caffeinated coffee and/or sodas a day, try adding in these flavorful alternatives instead:

• Herbal teas
• Plant-based milk in smoothies or on their own
• Coconut water in smoothies, cooking rice, or for adding tropical flavor to recipes
• Cold soups like gazpacho or peach soup (just watch the sodium)
• Add strawberries or apple slices to a salad

For more inspiration, check out my Pinterest post “5 Ways to Hydrate this Summer”.

Feeling the Flow

Now that you have all the motivation you need to get hydrated, be prepared to start feeling the flow:  more energy, increased productivity, moving with more grace, and a general sense of improved well-being.  And speaking of flow, stay tuned for my next blog on…you guessed, how to get into the flow.  In the meantime, enjoy the summer:  “Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson.