Last week we touched on hydration being part of living a healthy lifestyle. This week we want to go more in depth on some of the benefits and share some tips on staying hydrated!
Why Hydration Is So Important
1. Removes toxins – Drinking water helps your kidneys and digestive tract to remove waste and toxins from the body and expel them from the body.
2. Clearer, more radiant skin – As toxins are removed from the body this can help in clearing skin, water can also hydrate skin helping it to appear fresh and radiant.
3. Improves digestion – Adequate water intake helps your digestive system to run smoothly and prevent irregular bowel movements, excess gas, bloating, and other discomforts. Water also aids the digestive system in breaking down soluble fiber – which helps to keep things moving.
4. Increased energy – Water helps the circulation of blood and oxygen through the body, allowing organs and muscle to function well, and cells to create more energy. If you’re feeling sluggish you may need to increase your water intake!
5. Weight management – Water can help you to feel satisfied between meals, decreasing the want to have unnecessary snacks throughout the day. Studies done on women with excess body weight who had an extra glass of water before meals showed a reduction in overall weight and body fat.
6. Decreased joint pain – Drinking water helps to lubricate joints, decreasing joint pain.
Tips to Stay Hydrated
Use a water bottle – Keep a water bottle with you and fill it up throughout the day. This will help to remind you to drink and ensures you have water at the ready when thirsty.
Set a reminder – If you’re someone who forgets to drink water, set a reminder every 20-30 minutes to take a drink. This helps to avoid dehydration if you’re thirsty you’re already dehydrated.
Use natural flavouring – Using fruits and vegetables such as berries and cucumber can make your water more appealing without adding excess sugars and chemicals.
Increased bathroom trips – When increasing your water intake, you may notice additional trips to the bathroom. Don’t worry, the body is adjusting and everything will balance out in a day or two so keep drinking!
How Much Should I Drink?
On average adults should aim to drink 8 glasses – or 2L – of water daily as a minimum to stay hydrated. This may increase if you are increasing physical activity or spending more time in the heat.
If you have questions or want more tips on staying healthy, contact one of our Health & Fitness professionals today at personaltraining@heavensacademy.com
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