Are You Drinking Enough Water?
Good morning and happy Monday! Since it’s been as hot as hades lately across many areas, it would be a great time to talk about water and staying hydrated. Staying hydrated will help you regulate your body temperature, prevent infections, and keep your organs functioning properly. Staying hydrated can also improve your sleep quality, cognition and mood.
How Much Water Should You Drink?
At a minimum, you should drink half your body weight in ounces. For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, you should drink at least 75 ounces of water a day. You also need to consider the following factors and adjust accordingly:
Your level of activity (how much you sweat) – if you exercise and sweat, you will need more water
How much alcohol or caffeine you drink per day – both are dehydrating, so for every cup of caffeine/alcohol, drink an extra cup of water
The temperature where you live – if you live in a very hot climate, you will require more water
How Can You Tell if You’re Drinking Enough Water?
Here are a few ways you can tell if you’re drinking enough water:
If your urine is light in colour, you’re doing well. If it’s darker, you need to drink more water
Urine is abundant
You empty your bladder every two or three hours – when you first start to increase water intake, you will need to go to the bathroom more often than you’re used to, but that will only last a few days, and your body will adjust
What if You Don’t Like the Taste of Water?
If you don’t like the taste of plain water, try the following:
Add slices of lemon, lime, cucumber, or orange
Add mint leaves
Try sparkling water (make sure there are no added ingredients)
Heat water and drink with lemon
Try drinking out of a fancy goblet or wine glass
How to Increase Water Intake
Here are a few ways you can increase your water intake if you’re not drinking enough:
Drink 20 ounces of water first thing in the morning. You’ve been asleep for 6 to 10 hours, so it’s time to hydrate! Rehydrating the body and brain will lead to clearer thinking and better energy
Keep a pitcher of filtered water containing the amount of water you want to drink each day. Doing so will make it easy to remember to drink water and track your intake
Drink 8 ounces of water before exercise
Sip water slowly and at intervals during exercise
Drink 8 ounces of water before each meal
Keep bottles of water in your car, at the office, or around your work areas
If you’re feeling the heat wave, stay cool and hydrated! If you have any questions, feel free to reply to this message or better yet, let’s chat!