drink water
the importance of hydration
Always take your hydration seriously, as it is an important aspect of your health and well-being. Staying hydrated is a healthy habit that both your body and your brain will thank you for. Never underestimate the serious problems that dehydration can cause you.
why is it important to keep hydrated?
When you are dehydrated your attention and concentration can decrease by 13% and short term memory by 7%.
Quick science: Your body is composed of approximately 65% water. It is the main component of all the blood in your body, it is vital for oxygen transportation to all you're working muscles and organs, and plays the leading role in regulating your body temperatures. Water also acts as a lubricant for all your joints and as a cushion for your very important organs.
how does dehydration occur?
Dehydration occurs when more fluid is lost from the body than is taken in. Your body is constantly losing fluid through sweating and visits to the toilet! Many of the foods you consume also soak up a high amount of water and the essential body salts, such as sodium and potassium, that you need to keep the body fluids in balance.
And it's relatively cheap too, so you don't have to break the bank to give you and your family the ideal morning boost.
Dehydration often occurs from illness where you have persistent diarrhoea and vomiting. You can also become dehydrated after sweating excessively from a fever, heavy work in hot conditions or heatstroke.
Drinking too much alcohol is a real culprit. The inevitable headache that you can get after drinking is a massive indicator that your body is dehydrated.
how do I stay hydrated?
Remember to bring a bottle of water with you throughout the day and during any exercise workout so you can easily execute your hydration plan, especially in warmer weather. If you exercise frequently or for a duration of longer than an hour, you need to take your hydration more seriously and consume one medium-sized water bottle per hour of exercise in addition to your daily eight to ten cup requirement.
The fact is...
- When you are thirsty, the chances are that you are already dehydrated. Don't rely on thirst to be the indicator.
- Always try to drink more fluids than you need. Smaller quantities at frequent intervals helps optimize hydration.
- The World Health Organization recommends drinking 6 to 8 large glasses a water a day. But it must be remembered that this is only to maintain normal fluid balance and does not take into account the extra fluid demands of exercise.
- Drink before, during and after any physical activity. Get into the habit of taking on fluids during training as well as competition.
- Drink at least half a litre of water before exercise to ensure your fluid levels are up to start with and then continue taking in as much as you can during exercise.
the added benefits
Dieting
Water can help with dieting. Drinking water often curbs the appetite and it is calorie free!
the ultimate beauty product - water
Your skin acts as a water reservoir and helps with fluid regulation of your whole body. Drink lots to keep your skin looking younger and more vibrant as dehydrated skin can look dry and loose with a loss of elasticity.
don't over do it...
Drinking too much water can lead to a condition known as water intoxication. Water intoxication is most commonly seen in infants under the age of six months and sometimes in athletes. The kidneys of a healthy adult can process fifteen litres of water a day so you are unlikely to suffer from water intoxication, even if you drink a lot of water, as long as you drink it over time as opposed to drinking an enormous volume at one time.
The key is to ensure that you remain well-hydrated but not over hydrated.
Disclaimer
All content within the engagesl.com healthy living pages is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional. Engage Mutual and the site contributors are not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made by a user based on the content of the engagesl.com website. Always consult your own GP if you're in any way concerned about your health.
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