Have you ever wondered why some people seem to be intolerant to stress, meaning they can endure lots of stressors and seem to be immune to their effects, while others become stressed very easily. I have given this matter a lot of thought over the years and have undertaken copious amounts of reading and workshops. Finally I have come to some sort of conclusion, however, I recognise that it is still a work in progress as science continues to navigate the brain and the impact of stressful events and situations on our brain, emotions and physiology.
Importance of drinking water
The simple addition of drinking an adequate amount of water can make a big difference to your life, your health, your weight and your wallet.
It appears that we are made up of 60- 75 % water, 2/3 of our body weight. Our cells require water to carry out every function in our body, including metabolism, thinking, digestion, breathing, movement, body growth and repair and general homeostasis.
Apart form keeping us alive. The benefits of adequate hydration include:
- Keeping you young. Drinking plenty of water is great for the skin. Dehydration can cause skin to become dry and to loose its elasticity.
- Boosts metabolism and helps weight loss, as it prevents fluid retention, helps the body burn stored fat and suppresses your appetite.
- Boosts brainpower, helping you to think and remember. Brain tissue is 85% water and is needed to allow the neurons (brain cells) to relay messages to and from each other and connect to other nerve cells throughout the body. With dehydration the level of energy generated by the brain is decreased (apparently by 30%).
- Healthy joints. Water lubricates the joints for movement, helping them glide freely. When dehydrated the rate of abrasive damage to the cartilage is increased resulting in joint deterioration and increased pain.
- Prevents some headaches. The Cerebro spinal fluid that surrounds the brain is made mostly of water (99%). This is needed to take toxins and waste away from the brain. Also when dehydrated the blood vessels in the brain constrict.
- Helps to keep you awake and alert. Dehydration is the most common cause of daytime fatigue.
Aids digestion. A glass of water with your meal helps to make it easier to digest and absorb the food, especially if it is dry. - Helps to keep your kidneys healthy. The kidneys remove acidic wastes in our body which must be dissolved in water, if these wastes aren’t effectively removed, kidney damage can result
How Much to Drink
There appears to be conflicting views on how much water you need to drink, but a general guide is about 8 to 10 glasses throughout the day (1,500mls – 2,000mls). Or urine that is clear to slightly yellow with no smell. More water is needed if you are overweight, when it is hot, when you have been exercising, under stress, illness, pregnant, breastfeeding or taking supplements. If you are not accustomed to drinking that amount of water you can expect frequent urination until the Bladder learns to expand.
However, sometimes achieving a state of adequate hydration requires more than just drinking plenty of water. The body may still have difficulty absorbing and metabolising the water to do all the jobs that it needs to do. In my role as a Kinesiologist, I am able to balance the body to be better able to achieve and maintain hydration to facilitate homeostasis.
What is going to be your next beverage of choice?