It’s probably safe to say that most of us know the statistic that our body is comprised of 60% water. But even with that fact as “common knowledge”, there are a considerable amount of people that don’t meet their hydration intake. Did you know that water is the medium for practically every process in the body? Water helps regulate our temperature, mood, and detoxification. It also transports nutrients, helps us to think cognitively, and even oxygenate the body. And while we may be made up in general of 60% water, our blood is actually 80% water and our brains are 70%! Water is a crucial part of our being. Are you getting enough hydration this hot summer?
Hydration: Water 101
Water is essentially a carrier for potential energy. The cleaner water is, the greater the potential. And as you can infer, the more contaminated the water, the more interference occurs within that potential. Now, you may be wondering why you need to care about energy potential. And that’s because we are all essentially energy curated in mass form. As we discussed above, our body performs a number of processes that require energy.
The Cleaner the Better
When choosing your water source, do your best to obtain the cleanest water you can. Reverse Osmosis distilled water is the cleanest source. But spring water (preferably not stored in BPA plastics) is a great alternative choice. And if neither of those is an option, filtered tap water is your next best bet.
Tap water on its own tends to contain a number of contaminants. Some of which are necessary to provide safe drinking water to the general public. However, these chemicals can negatively affect our thyroid and microbiome. Try a simple tap filter within your price range!
But How Much Do We Need?
The rule of thumb used to be 8 eight-ounce glasses of water per day to stay hydrated. But since no two humans are the exact same, that rule doesn’t actually hydrate everyone. A better formula for water intake is half your body weight in ounces. To find this, take your body weight in pounds and divide it by two. The result is the number (in ounces) that you need to drink daily in order to stay hydrated.
Example: A 120 lb. person
120/2 = 60 oz of water per day
For some, this number may seem extremely high. So, it is important to remember that we can get almost 20% of our water intake from fruits and vegetables.
Signs of Dehydration
Telling if you are dehydrated or not can sometimes be tricky. Sometimes it’s easy to miss the signs and symptoms of dehydration. Some common signs are:
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Muscle cramps
- Constipation
- Dry skin
- Foggy thinking
- Dry mouth
- Excessive thirst
- Lightheadedness
- Weakness (in physical endurance)
It’s important to note that more often than not, those who consume a lot of caffeine are at a higher risk of dehydration. Those who work out a lot and sweat more often also tend to become dehydrated more quickly than those who don’t. The next time you’re feeling a bit off, first ask yourself how much water you’ve had and see if dehydration is the culprit.
Tips to Drink More Water
A few tips to help you drink more water throughout your day:
- Add flavor to your water – try fresh fruit, veggie slices, and herbs!
- Drink a glass of water after every bathroom break
- And drink a glass before every meal
- Use a marked water bottle that helps you constantly sip and reach hourly hydration goals throughout the day
- Or use an app to track how much water you’re drinking – try the Daily Water Free app
- You could even invest in a high-tech water bottle that does the tracking for you
- Try sparkling or mineral water instead of a soda
- Keep a water bottle in the places you are most– your car, your office, your workout bag
- Reusable straws can make drinking water more fun
- Incentivize if you need to!
Resetting Your Health with Zock Chiropractic
This summer is already proving to be a hot one. Make sure you’re staying hydrated so that you can enjoy the summer sun.
Part of achieving our best physical and emotional health is through chiropractic care and massage therapy. Chiropractic care is focused on allowing our spine and nerves to work to their potential. This results in not only allowing our organs to function but for them to function to their best ability. Dr. Zock would love to discuss your concerns in regard to resetting your health. Her vast knowledge of natural supplementation and body processes make her a great guide in helping you make the best choices for your body. Make an appointment in Cranberry today to schedule an introductory chiropractic treatment session. We can discuss your pains and needs as part of my initial chiropractic workup for you as a new patient to our practice!
* This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please contact a medical professional for advice.