The health benefits of hydrating your body from the inside out far outweigh the lackluster idea of drinking more water. Unless, of course, you’re drinking it from the newest tumbler craze. There are over a dozen reasons why drinking water should be a daily priority for everyone, from avoiding headaches and UTIs to providing a cushion for your brain, joints, and spinal cord.
If the underlying health benefits of hydration haven’t turned you into an avid water drinker, make your reason a little more superficial. Here are a few additional benefits to drinking enough* water for consistent hydration.
Weight Management
Drink a glass of water 30 minutes before a meal to help you feel satisfied sooner and avoid overeating. The glass of water may make you realize you weren’t even hungry, just thirsty. Likewise, sipping a glass of water with your meal slows the eating process to help you eat more mindfully.
Water helps with digestion because your body can better eliminate what it doesn’t need through urination and regular bowel movements. Avoiding constipation and feeling better overall is definitely a win-win! Drink a glass of water immediately in the morning to jump-start your organs for the day ahead.
Muscles and Energy
Everything will seem easier, from walking to doing chores to heavy lifting. When your body is properly and consistently hydrated, your energy level improves because water delivers nutrients, proteins, and glycogen that your muscles need. When dehydrated, muscles are deprived of electrolytes, raising the risk of cramps.
Skin and Hair
Your skin is the largest organ in your body, and drinking enough water helps with anti-aging effects on the skin. Yes, this includes wrinkle reduction! Hydration is also the best defense against chapped and cracked lips. When you are dehydrated, it is noticeable in your face and skin.
Water makes up almost 25% of the weight of a single strand of hair, so being hydrated helps keep your hair strong and your scalp from getting dry and itchy. Dehydration can stop your hair from growing; hair ends can split or become brittle. Imagine each glass of water hydrating your hair from your scalp outward. Give it a try!
Breath and Oral Health
Dry mouth and dehydration can also lead to bad breath. Drinking water will help with oral odors because it helps wash away food particles and bacteria, which are the primary causes of bad breath. You may have noticed that morning breath is better after drinking a tall glass of water first thing in the day. Water also helps maintain bodily fluids’ balance, including saliva.
How much water do I need?
*Enough water is different for everyone. When “more” isn’t the answer you want, try gauging your water intake by checking your urine color. Clear to light yellow means you are adequately hydrating. Another measurable goal is to drink half your body weight in ounces of water. So, if you weigh 150 pounds, aim for 75 ounces of water. It’s a simple rule of thumb and easily obtainable. But also check your urine color. For other health reasons, you may need more or less water. For many people, half their weight in ounces of water is more than twice as much water as they are used to drinking, so here are some tips to drink more water:
- Get a water bottle you love to help you sip on water throughout the day, every day.
- It can help to chug a glass of water if sipping doesn’t cut it.
- Infuse your water with flavors such as mint, cucumbers, berries, lemons, or limes. Even something like coconut water has vitamins that will add health benefits.
- Make it a habit to drink a glass of water first thing in the morning, with every meal, before you go to bed, etc.
- Swap your caffeinated drinks for decaf, even your coffee. Try half-caff for a week or two to help you slowly detox from caffeine.
- Order water in addition to your morning coffee at a local coffee shop, or other beverages at a restaurant.
- Enlist a friend and have daily water-drinking contests. Tracking it may help with the boredom of drinking water.
- Add extra hydration to your diet by eating water-rich fruits and vegetables such as leafy greens, citrus fruits, melon, tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, broccoli, and celery.
We hope you can choose one or two personal reasons to drink more water and gain the many benefits that your entire body will be thankful for. Click here for your free download of the 30-day Drink More Water challenge.
