One of the basics for good health is water. We all know it is essential for life. Sadly, many of us don’t drink enough in normal times. We may ignore our body cues and keep going without a sip of water no matter how we feel. We may experience confusion, dizziness, lack of concentration, dry mouth, thirst, and dark urine when we do not hydrate ourselves enough.
Let’s remember our body is made of about 60% of water (1), and we do lose water daily through respiration, skin diffusion, and urination. How much water should we drink? It depends on your body weight and level of activity. Many apps can calculate this for you.
An average adult would normally drink abut 1.5 to 2.5 litres a day.
In times of extreme heat, we will even loose water more easily as we perspire to keep cool.
So what prevents us from drinking water?
Boring
Many find water boring…Perhaps, compared to a glass of fizzy drink, or other fizzes…
You can enhance the flavour of your water by adding fresh fruits or vegetables, which will flavour the water without the extra sugar packed into the commercial beverages.
Be creative! Mix and match and experiment: raspberries, cucumber, lemon, oranges, and herbs, for instance…Prepare several bottles with children or the elderly, and store them in the refrigerator. It is a great way to entice them to increase their consumption of water.
Toilets
Time your drinking properly when you know you are travelling for a while. Also, for issues related to incontinence, you may want to contact a trained practitioner to support you.
Body cues confusion
Oftentimes, when we reach for a snack, it may be your body hinting your need to rehydrate. Before snacking, it may be useful to have a cup of water first to see if the craving goes.
Forgetting to drink
Amidst the hustle and bustle of life, it is common to be so absorbed by what needs to happen that we may forget to drink. If this is you, then set up some reminders, on your phone, your work calendars, or use water apps.
No excuse!
Have a bottle of water in your bag, on your desk, on the kitchen table, or anywhere you are likely to spent time.
Eat Fruits and vegetables
They naturally full of water easily absorbed by your body, and rich in life-giving nutrients.
You may also make popsicles with frozen berries and banana, for instance, to give a summer feeling to your fruits feast.