Let’s Talk Hydration
Yes, you’ll spend more time in the loo but keeping your body hydrated is so very important.
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I’m teaching myself to sip, savor, and slow down. I tend to be a fast drinker. It doesn’t matter if it’s water or water with electrolytes, or green juice, or white wine, or champagne. I have no trouble drinking a gallon of water in a day. I can get it done. But why is hydration important? Our body is roughly 60% water. That’s a lot of H2O! It plays an important role in body functions such as protecting sensitive tissue like the brain and spinal cord, removing waste products through sweat, urine, and bowel movements, regulating temperature, and lubricating and cushioning joints.
I’m thankful I’ve always had a taste for water versus sodas or juices. When I’m thirsty I want water. I don’t even care if it’s cold or room temp. I don’t care if it’s plain or infused with lemon or cucumber. Give me all the water. Because I’ve really upped my water intake over the last year or two I’ve also added electrolytes to my water once a day so that I’m not diluting them in my system with the gallon that I consume. It’s easy to add a sprinkle of unrefined sea salt (I like Redmond*) and a squeeze of lemon for a more cost-effective electrolyte but I also love Ultima* for a little more fun flavor like cherry pomegranate* or pink lemonade*.
So why drink so much water? Well for one I live in a humid climate so I sweat a lot in the summer and all of that fluid needs to be replaced to keep my body working properly. Also I travel a lot for work and leisure and plane cabins are incredibly dehydrating so I always take a refillable bottle with me inflight to replenish. I apologize to my seatmate ahead of time for my multiple trips to the lavatory because I am not here for bacteria building up in my bladder. Gotta flush that out! Per my blog description, I am a woman of a certain vintage, ahem and hydrated skin looks plump, soft, and smooth, giving you a natural glow and healthy appearance. Proper hydration also helps the skin maintain its elasticity. Yes, please. Also, dry skin is itchy and looks scaly, not cute.
So how can you make sure you are staying properly hydrated? Well for one you should be in the loo pretty regularly throughout the day. I am constantly “encouraging” Scott to drink more water and his rebuttal is that he will have to use the bathroom more often…….EXACTLY. And we work from home so the bathroom is literally 20 feet away. I don’t see the issue! But that is a marriage story not a hydration story. I digress. Easy ways to up your fluids are drinking a glass of water while you wait for your coffee or tea to brew first thing in the morning. It’s a great way to flush your system first thing. If plain water is boring find ways to flavor it but be mindful of adding things with sugar or fake chemicals. Instead try lemon, lime, cucumber, or berries. There are fun infusion bottles* or pitchers* you can buy to make that a snap. Eating fruits and vegetables with high water content also helps with hydration. Think celery, cucumber, melons and citrus. Find a cute water bottle to carry with you and if you have to set a reminder on your phone. I have a bottle that is 40 oz* and if I fill it at least twice in the day I’m hitting a respectable goal. There are even these fun ones* that cheer you on to hit your goal! I try not to drink a bunch of water right before bed so I’m not waking up in the middle of the night so having the early reminders is great. Speaking of reminders, you can have your smartphone tell you when to drink water. If we are going to have our phones with us constantly we might as well find ways to use them to our benefit.
Are you a good water drinker? What are some of your tips to help you stay hydrated? I’m sure my Southern friends have some good ideas.
