Good afternoon, Cards! Today we will be discussing the importance of water, the benefits of staying hydrated, the downfalls of not staying hydrated, and strategies to utilize when you want to drink more water throughout the day.
Water is present in all our cells, organs, and tissues to help regulate our body’s temperature, absorb vitamins and minerals, and keep our body functioning properly. Our bodies lose water through sweating, breathing, and digestion, so it is essential to intake drinks and foods containing water to replenish this loss.
When our bodies are dehydrated, this can lead to dizziness or low blood pressure, as well as leave our skin more vulnerable to wrinkles and skin conditions. When we prioritize drinking water and keep our bodies hydrated, this can:
Aid digestion
Prevent constipation
Protect our organs & tissues
Cushion our joints
Aid in weight loss
Remove bacteria from our bladder
Carry nutrients and oxygen to our cells
Stabilize our blood pressure and heartbeat
Harvard University suggests maintaining the four-to-six cups a day as a general rule when drinking water. Keep in mind this rule is intended for generally healthy people and your need for water can fluctuate due to factors such as how much you exercise or how much you sweat throughout the day. Remembering to drink water throughout the day is a habit that can take time to develop. Various strategies to help you remember to drink water throughout your day is to:
Set a daily goal of how much water you want to drink
Set reminders on your calendar
Replace non-water drinks with water
Keep a reusable water bottle with you
Use apps such as “Daily Water” to track how much water you drink
Purchase fun reusable straws
Replenishing and fueling our body with water is essential for living our day to day life. Remembering to drink water throughout the day is a habit that can take some time to develop, however, you can develop this habit by utilizing some of the strategies listed above and being patient with yourself. Improving your wellbeing is a marathon not a sprint!
Thank you for reading today’s blog and be sure to check in for next week’s blog!
- Emily Kuhlman