Water is essential for sustaining your health and well-being. Staying hydrated is important for every day health – but it’s extra important in this summer heat. What’s the worst that can happen when you are dehydrated?
Heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and possibly even death.
Dehydration symptoms can include:
- Nausea
- Feeling lightheaded or dizziness
- Cramps
- increased heartbeat
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.
Moving on from the negative – dehydration – and on to the positive – healthy hydration . . .
Physical Benefits
You need enough water intake for optimal physical performance and being fit.
The human body needs enough water for nutrients and oxygen to reach your cells, as well as proper waste elimination. It is necessary to carry oxygen to your cells via plasma: remember efficient oxygen is integral to proper aerobic exercise! The American Council on Exercise suggests 17 to 20 ounces of water before you begin exercising, 7 – 10 ounces every 10 – 20 minutes during exercise, and 8 ounces of water within 30 minutes afterward.
Water is also necessary to regulate your body’s temperature by producing sweat when needed: you need to drink more water (especially now in summer) to replace what you’ve sweated away. Your strength and coordination can be negatively impacted by dehydration: you could experience muscle cramps and fatigue during exercise. Your coordination, strength, and overall performance can be greatly reduced.
Your joints especially need water to function well: sufficient water allows the body to produce the synovial fluid that cushions the joints so that your bones don’t rub together causing pain, or permanent damage.
Proper hydration increases ability and coordination, helping to prevent injuries, fatigue, muscle cramps, and heat exhaustion / heatstroke. Stay hydrated for a healthier and more optimum workout!
Mental Benefits
Not only does your body need water, your brain does, too.
Your brain functions better when hydrated – even a small amount of dehydration can reduce many aspects of brain function. Too little hydration can reduce your ability to concentrate, impair your memory function, and make you less alert. Your memory, focus, and concentration are all improved by sufficient water intake; you can process information and make better decisions more quickly. Drinking water can relieve headaches in some sufferers, as well as reduce anxiety and positively affect your mood.
You can be more productive and upbeat throughout the workday – drinking enough water is a no-brainer!
The Theory of Proper Hydration Holds Water
It is important to keep in mind in the summer months, as this year’s temperatures have been exceedingly high – it is important to get enough water for even every day activities, and even more so during your exercise regimens. Your body is 60 percent water – water is essential to every bodily process you have. The recommended daily average (for regular activity) is eight 8-ounce glasses of just plain water a day. So drink up and stay cool!
