Most people know they should be drinking more water, so why don't they? A recent survey showed that 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. It's no coincidence that many of us feel tired, sluggish, and foggy as well. While nutrition and exercise play a large part in our overall health, many people neglect to prioritize hydration alongside their other wellness efforts or are drinking too many caffeinated or sugary beverages and diets high in sodium.
Here are some of the best reasons to drink more water and some of the ways you can easily improve your health through getting more H2O.
1. Keep it Balanced
About 60% of your body is made up of water, if you aren't drinking enough, your body doesn't have enough for basic functions like regulating your temperature and digesting food.
2. Weight Loss
Now that I have your attention, most often when people feel hungry, they are actually experiencing thirst. Next time you're hungry, try drinking a full glass of water and waiting around 15 minutes before eating a meal or snack. Water also has zero calories and when swapped with higher calorie drinks, can help you lose weight. Plus, water can increase your body's fat-burning ability and promotes the breakdown and elimination of fat cells. Are you sold yet?
3. More Energy
One major side effect of dehydration is fatigue, next time you have that afternoon energy slump and think about reaching for another cup of coffee, try having a cold glass of water and going for a short walk.
4. Better Focus
Dehydration has been shown to put stress on cognitive functioning and linked to decreases in concentration and short-term memory and even increase anxiety and irritability. Prolonged dehydration can cause persistent symptoms, meaning that cognitive function in some cases was compromised even after adequate hydration was reached.
5. Smooth moves
Drinking adequate water helps your digestive system work more smoothly. It will also help your body break down food more effectively and help boost your metabolism.
6. Clear complexion
Water can help flush toxins out of the body that can build up and lead to skin congestion and acne. Water will also help hydrate your skin from the inside out helping it look more plump and radiant.
7. Rock your workout
Intense cardio and weight lifting sessions can make you break a sweat, which means you are losing electrolytes and fluids that make it harder for your muscles to perform. By replenishing those fluids, your muscles, which are 75% water, won't fatigue as quickly and your body can recover faster meaning you can hit that next workout just as hard.
If that isn't enough to convince you, water is delicious! If you need to mix it up, non-caffeinated beverages can count towards your water total like sparkling water and herbal tea. For even more flavor or an extra boost, tablets like Nuun can help replenish electrolytes to give you that extra boost! Even choosing a fun water bottle, setting reminders on your phone and keeping your water in eyesight can help you stay on track.
Happy hydrating!