Submitted by Jeanette Barcus, Certified Natural Health Consultant
Do you have headaches, fatigue, dizziness, mental confusion or weakness?
Maybe you just need a drink of water!
The amount of water in your body directly and deeply affects how many of your body’s functions work. If you are dehydrated, you just won’t be able to function very well, even if you are sedentary.
The best way to stay hydrated is to drink enough water throughout the day. This will keep you on a more even keel and prevent the bloating and cramping which can result from downing a lot of water right before or right after a vigorous workout. Highly active people should be ingesting three liters of water a day, even on days they don’t work out.
Five Strategies for All-Day Hydration
• Avoid coffee, tea, and soda. Each of these drinks has a diuretic effect, which means you will be more dehydrated.
• Keep a water bottle with you at all times so you can rehydrate on a regular basis. Constantly sipping on water also keeps your bladder saturated, which actually reduces the number of bathroom breaks you’ll need to take. Picture your bladder as a sponge and imagine how water runs off a completely dry sponge before it begins being able to absorb the liquid. A saturated bladder will be able to hold on to more fluid for longer than a dry bladder can.
• Flavor your water by tossing lemon slices, cucumber slices, mint or basil leaves, or chopped fruit into your bottle or water pitcher.
• Eat more fiber. Fiber moves food through the intestines, helps to scrub out bad bacteria and helps maintain a healthy gut. Lack of fiber can lead to constipation, which can put more pressure on your bladder, which leads to more frequent urination and quicker dehydration.
• Replace lost electrolytes during times of intense exercise or prolonged heavy sweating. Electrolytes are responsible for maintaining the right balance of fluids in your body. It doesn’t hurt to give your body a little boost with a quality electrolyte replenishing product like Solstic Revive after a vigorous workout.
Staying hydrated all day long is the key to optimal bodily function. You’ll feel better, stronger, and more awake if you focus on keeping yourself hydrated 24 hours a day.
(This information is for educational use and not intended to diagnose or prescribe or replace the advice of a health professional. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.)
