“Water is the softest thing, yet it can penetrate mountains and earth. This shows clearly the principle of softness overcoming hardness.” – Lao Tzu
For something that is odorless, tasteless and colorless, water sure has a lot of power. 60% of the adult human body is made of the stuff. We need it to survive. We also need it to strive.
Proper hydration can change your game entirely. Feeling sluggish? Drink a tall glass of water. Have a headache? Hydrate. Want to improve your skin? Eat more water-dense fruits and veggies. You get the idea. It’s crystal clear that water does so much more than quench thirst. Let’s dive in to the details:
7 Amazing Health Benefits Of Drinking Water
Improves Focus
Your brain alone is made up of 90% water. No wonder water helps boost brain power.
Studies have shown that mental performance is negatively affected when an individual is dehydrated during extreme heat or exercise. So, ditch that afternoon latte and keep a pitcher of water handy to help you stay alert and focused on the task at hand.
Enhances Beauty
Want to look years younger without going the surgical route? Water acts as a natural (and much cheaper) facelift as it flushes out toxins. Hydrating on the inside will result in dewy and fresh looking skin on the outside. Just one of the health benefits of drinking water that shows as much on the outside as the inside!
Boosts Mood
Forget alcohol, the next time you run into someone who appears to be in a foul mood, offer them a drink of water. Dehydration often leaves us feeling, weak, confused and irritated. Think of all the arguments we can prevent if we all drink a little more water!
Keeps You Regular
Constipation occurs when the colon is dehydrated. Water will help things move along smoothly in your system. It may not be what we want to talk about, but it sure is important.
Alleviates Pain
The next time you reach for a painkiller, you may want to consider drinking a glass of water instead. A headache is often a way for your body to tell you to hydrate more. Scientists found that around 7 glasses of water a day was enough to ease pain and improve quality of life in patients who regularly experience headaches.
Boosts Energy
Water is an all-natural, safe energy drink. The last thing you should be reaching for when your energy level dips is coffee or sugary drinks; you’ll just crash in a short time. Hydrate with water instead, and don’t dismiss fruits and veggies as they contain a high level of water.
Helps You Lose Weight
OK, so water may not be some magical weight loss potion that will help you shed pounds. However, when your body is properly hydrated, you won’t have the need to overeat. Experts suggest that a lot of people mistake thirst for hunger. When you don’t drink enough water, your body tends to store more fat as well. In our article How To Lose 15lbs In 21 Days, Yogi Aaron talks about the ground-breaking importance of drinking more water.
Know the Signs of Dehydration
It’s easy to forget about hydration when you’re being active and having so much fun in the sun (something that happens often at Blue Osa!) but that’s when you need it the most—when you’re sweating out all the liquids in your body.
Your urine is a good indicator as to whether or not you need to drink more water. If it’s dark, you likely need to up your H20 intake. The best way to prevent dehydration is to keep a bottle of water handy with you the entire day.
Tips to Stay Hydrated
- Carry a pretty water bottle everywhere you go — the prettier it is, the less likely you are to forget it! This is always important, but especially here at our jungle yoga retreat in Costa Rica!
- Keep a large pitcher of filtered water handy.
- Infuse your favorite fruits/veggies for naturally flavored water.
- Eat fruits and vegetables that contain high amounts of water, like tomatoes or watermelon.
How much water do you drink each day? Do you know other health benefits to drinking water? Be sure to share in the comments below!
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