Staying hydrated can often feel like an ambiguous term. When it comes down to it, how much water does our body really need? Is there a magic amount of ounces? Does it depend on the person and their lifestyle? While most of us have at some point heard the 8 by 8 rule (eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day), researchers are discovering that it really does depend on many factors. Rather than focusing on a measurable amount, being attentive to how our bodies feel is the best way in telling if we’re hydrated or not. Water is a foundational need that benefits every part of our body and understanding how will help us establish a daily practice of drinking more water.
The health of your skin is directly tied to establishing a daily practice of drinking water.
The human body is incredible. Its ability to adapt and perform based on our own personal goals whether they’re physical or mental and creative is quite astonishing. Not only does drinking enough water allow our bodies to reach their full potential by feeling their best, but staying hydrated makes all the difference for how our skin looks as well.
Water plays a vital role throughout the whole body, but let’s talk about the brain for a moment. More than half of the brain is made up of water which means our brain cells depend on being well hydrated in order to function properly. Water increases blood flow to every part of the body and our brains need a lot of it. When we don’t drink enough water and become dehydrated, our ability to concentrate decreases significantly along with memory. In short, we’re able to think more clearly and quickly when we’re well hydrated.
We're able to think more clearly and quickly when we’re well hydrated.
For all those active mountain climbers and trail runners, this one if for you: the cartilage found between our bones and joints is made up of… you guessed it, mostly water. This cartilage acts as a cushion to protect the joint by absorbing shock and easing friction. Staying hydrated is essential in maintaining healthy joints and any sort of long term dehydration could cause significant damage and pain. Just about any form of movement requires the use of our joints so while those who are more active need to be extra cautious they’re staying hydrated when exercising, it applies to everyone no matter their lifestyle.
When it comes to taking care of our skin in order for it to look and feel the best, establishing a daily ritual of drinking water is quite high on the list. Our skin is the largest organ in our body and just like any other internal organ, it depends on water just the same, although the skin is the last organ to reap the benefits of hydration. Water detoxifies the body, ridding it of toxins and keeping things moving. When we’re well hydrated and giving our skin cells the water they need, the skin not only becomes more clear but also appears more radiant and bright. On the flip side, skin cells that don’t receive enough water can become dry and flaky, leaving the skin susceptible to premature wrinkling.
When we’re well hydrated and giving our skin cells the water they need, the skin not only becomes more clear but also appears more radiant and bright.
The list of benefits for our bodies from staying well hydrated goes on and on. Establishing a daily ritual of drinking enough water is incredibly important in pursuing a life of health and wellness. And while these are all great things to think about, being thankful for the incredible ability we have to access clean water anytime we want is another. It’s easy to forget that not everyone has this ability and we certainly don’t want to take it for granted. However, there are incredible nonprofit organizations such as Charity Water, Pure Water for the World, Blood Water and many alike that are doing wonders in bringing clean water to many underdeveloped countries around the world that don’t have the same ability.
So next time you pick up a glass of water, be thankful and know you’re benefiting every single part of your body.