Hydration Station

1/8/2019

You already know that drinking water is important - like, for survival and stuff - and today we're getting into the why, where, when, and how of getting enough H2O!

Remember, you are worthy of being taken care of, especially by your own self.

So bottoms up, chug-a-lug, and cheers!

Why drink water?

Simply put, you need water.

It's literally as important to survival of the human body as breathing.

Not only does water occupy around 50-70% of our body weight, but our cells, organs and tissues all require water to help regulate the body's temperature and maintain other bodily functions. Water acts as a building block, a solvent for chemical reactions, and a transport material for nutrients and waste.

Because your body loses water through breathing, sweating, and digestion, it's important to rehydrate by consistently drinking plenty of fluids and eating water-dense foods - even mild dehydration can lead to headaches and mess with your brain's ability to function the right way.

When you Drink Water, you can:

help prevent disease
improve your mood
promote weight loss (one study found that people who drank a glass of water before each of their meals for 12 weeks lost, on average, 4.6 more lbs than those who did not!)
boost your brainpower - "Counseling clients about their health and wellbeing should include conveying the importance of water for normal body functioning, as well as its effects on physical and cognitive performance."

When to drink water?

Early and often. :)

A full glass in the morning and before each meal is a wonderful habit to nurture. It may have you running to the water closet every two seconds, but that's a temporary side effect that will even out once your body adjusts to the welcome addition of the extra hydration. Trust me - your body is benefitting with every sip you take so it’s worth it. Pinky swear.

Where to drink water?

on a bus
during the meeting
in the garden
during the elevator ride
at every red light
during commercials
on the airplane
when it rains
when the sun is out
during a snowstorm
after a good, cleansing cry
in bed
on a boat
at the symphony
watching the game
at the doctor's office
during therapy
on the train

at home
in the car
at work
in restaurants
at the gym
on a date
at a friend’s house
in a pub
in the bathtub
on a hike
at a movie
on the couch
by the pool
at your kids' sporting events
while grocery shopping
at the amusement park
basically, anywhere and everywhere you go!

How to Make it Fun (or at least a little easier):

Claim a favorite water bottle or cup as your faithful companion (I love my Yeti cup because it keeps my cold drinks cold and my hot drinks hot for an impressive amount of time)
Aim to fill your chosen vessel back up as soon as you drink the last drop
Keep a separate water cup/bottle at work, in your car, in your gym bag...anywhere you regularly spend time
Bring water to bed and guzzle it down before your pretty little feet even hit the floor in the morning
Add fruit: lemons, strawberries, oranges, and limes are a few options to consider for a little extra zing
Increase your consumption of water-dense foods - read “10 Foods to Help You Stay Hydrated” to get started
Say yes! Anytime anyone offers you a drink of water, accept the offer and bottoms up!
There’s an app for that. Try free versions of Plant Nanny, WaterMinder, or My Water Balance for customizable reminders to drink up

As a Soul Fitness Coach, I help busy folks like you organize your thoughts, habits, health, and homes so you can experience more joy, one breath at a time.

Let's get started!

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