Your body is 60 percent water—which means if you’re not staying properly hydrated, you’re not allowing your body to thrive. Here, you’ll finally know how much water you should be drinking, and the many positive effects hydration has on your body, mind and soul.
How Much Should I Be Drinking?
There used to be a ‘one size fits all’ rule when it came to daily water consumption—and perhaps it’s a rule that you use still commit to, today. Are you sticking to eight glasses of water policy per day, despite the variation of your activity level? The truth is, staying hydrated isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ answer.
It depends on your weight, your sex, and your activity level. Athletes, for example, require more water consumption than someone who sits at a computer all day. As a new rule of thumb to go by, the Institute of Medicine suggests that a healthy adult male consume 13 cups (8 ounces per cup) per day, while a woman consumes nine cups.
It’s a Great Weight Loss Tool
If you’re gaining weight (despite the implementation of your strict five day workout rule) and you don’t know what you’re doing wrong, it could be a dehydration issue. Did you know that thirst is often mistaken for hunger? Studies show that drinking more water can promote weight loss, because it allows you to develop a feeling of being ‘full.’ In addition, it may even aid in boosting your metabolism. Don’t like the taste of water? That’s ok. Add some slices of cucumber and watermelon to a glass of filtered water, or strawberries, blueberries and raspberries.
It Keeps Your Body Working Like Clockwork
One day of ‘bad’ eating (fast good, little to no vegetables, the absence of fiber, and too much sugar) can stop up your digestion. Drinking enough water (between 6-8 eight ounce glasses per day) can actually help your body to dissolve and break down fats, as well as lessen your risk for constipation.
It Helps You Fight Fatigue
If you often have trouble waking up in the morning or routinely face a mid-afternoon slump, the real matter at hand could be a dehydration factor. Water can keep you all ‘perked up’ by restoring fluid balance—the very thing that’s responsible for keeping your energy consistent throughout the day.
In addition, the failure to maintain and monitor dehydration throughout your day has been shown to affect your mood (causing dips in mood levels). Become more productive, increase your happiness and boost your energy level by adding more water to your diet!
