Drink More Water!

One of the easiest health issues to address, for men and women, is dehydration. Although it seems innocent, the lack of hydration negatively affects our bodies in a number of ways. I’m Wendy Corr, and in today’s Wellness Tip, I’ll give you several ways that you can take in more water and boost your health!

A CDC report that came out last year says that women are barely meeting the minimum targets for fluid intake while men are falling short, and the problem is most acute among the elderly. And dehydration affects every element of your body. From bad breath to dry skin, muscle cramps to headaches, even mild dehydration can make a difference in how you feel.

Did you know that even mild dehydration can suppress blood vessels in your brain? This results in short term memory problems, poor attention and slow reaction times.

Drinking plain, clean water can boost your mood, and promote healing in your body. It can also lower your odds of a stroke, and calm down a headache! If you’re experiencing a migraine or other headache brought on by dehydration, you could be pain-free in just a half hour.

Experts recommend half your weight in ounces of hydrating liquid every day – so, for example, if you weigh 150 pounds, aim for 75 ounces of fluid by the time you go to bed.

And by hydrating fluid, that doesn’t mean sodas or coffee – despite being made up of water, the caffeine and other compounds in those drinks can actually dehydrate you! So what can you do to get your daily intake?

Try adding a boost of flavor to your water by infusing it with fresh fruits and veggies, like strawberries or cucumbers. If you drink a 16-ounce bottle of water about a half hour before each meal, not only will you increase your quota of fluids, but you’ll be less hungry and less likely to overeat!

There are some great apps out there that can help you track your water intake, like myfitnesspal or fitbit – but you can also find apps that will remind you to drink your water in a playful way, like PlantNanny!

If you’re not a fan of plain water, unsweetened herbal teas are available in lots of different flavors — and they all count toward your daily fluid goal.

Thanks for tuning in to Wellness with Wendy! I’m a certified holistic nutritionist, and I love sharing tips and tricks to help you live your best life – so for more health and wellness news and advice, follow my blog on mybighornbasin.com. See you again next time for Wellness with Wendy!