Are You Drinking Enough Water Daily?
There’s a saying that, “Drinking water is like taking a shower on the inside of your body.” While this statement is light-hearted and mildly weird, it does hit home a very important point – you absolutely MUST drink enough water daily to stay healthy.
While everybody knows this fact, most people do not practice it consciously. They merely drink when they feel thirsty rather than drink at intervals throughout the day.
* Benefits of water
There are many benefits from drinking water. For starters, it helps to flush out toxins in your body. A body that’s well-hydrated will be less likely to get aches and pains. You’ll also reduce your chances of getting headaches.
If you’re feeling lethargic, try drinking more water. It helps to boost energy levels. For people who engage in exercise often, you’ll need slightly more water than the recommended 8 glasses a day.
Water aids in digestion, regulates your body’s temperature, curbs hunger, prevents kidney stones, boosts your mood and you’ll have healthy skin too. Yes! That’s how many benefits you can accrue just by getting enough water in your diet.
For those with back aches or spinal issues, drinking more water is of paramount importance because water not only lubricates the joints but also keeps your spinal discs hydrated.
You’d be wise to pay attention to how much water you’re consuming daily. This is not an issue you should take casually and just follow when you feel like it.
* When should you drink water?
Ideally, one of the best times to drink water is upon waking and on an empty stomach. It’s preferable if the water is warm. If you did this practice daily, you’d flush out a lot of toxins and prevent many diseases from taking root in your body.
Usually, we’re often dehydrated when we wake up because the body uses up water during maintenance and repair processes during the night. So, drinking water in the morning is especially important.
After that, drinking a glass of water every 2-3 hours will help you stay hydrated and prevent you from feeling hungry. People who are trying to lose weight would do well to follow this ‘schedule’ where they drink water at intervals. Not only will it curb hunger, but you’ll be less likely to mistake thirst for hunger and eat.
If you prefer some flavor in your water, you can add a few lemon slices to the water. Orange slices will be good too. Refrigerate the water and you’ll have a tasty drink with minimal calories and also enjoy the antioxidant benefits of the lemon/oranges.
It’s best not to have a heavy lunch because digestion uses up a lot of energy. In many cases, people feel sluggish and lack energy after lunch. Work becomes a chore when your body is using resources to digest food instead of letting you think.
At times like this, drinking an icy cold glass of water will boost your metabolism and energy. It’s akin to a natural energy drink – without the sugar and accompanying jitters.
People who are trying to lose weight would do well to drink a glass of water 20 minutes before each meal… and 20 minutes after each meal.
This will make you feel fuller before you start eating, and if you’re eating less because you’re aiming for a caloric deficit, the water you drink after your meal will help you feel sated without you wanting to eat more.
Drinking water is something we all do daily… and it’s not a chore. All you need to do is make it a habit to drink it at regular intervals spaced out throughout the day. Set alarms in your phone if you have to. After a while, it will become second nature to you… and you’ll look and feel better in time to come.
