Henry David Thoreau said that “Water is the only drink of the wise man”. This couldn’t be any closer to the truth. The body is 90 percent water. It loses fluids throughout the day through normal, daily functions and that’s why replenishing the fluid you lose in important. In fact, there are different ways your body may be telling you that you need to drink more water. Paying attention to these signs of dehydration helps you stay healthy and slow down the aging process:
- It is mid-afternoon and you feel sleepy even when you have a lot of work to do. An energy drink can help, but not for a long time. The reason for your tiredness is mostly likely dehydration. Drinking water will relieve fatigue and keep you fresh during the day.
- Are you moody and unable to focus, without any specific reason? Try a glass of chilled water to improve your concentration levels and tackle problems without getting unduly perturbed.
- One of the most common signs of dehydration is a headache. About 75 percent of your brain is water and so taking plenty of fluid is necessary to keep it hydrated. Becoming dehydrated reduces blood supply to the brain and can trigger a headache. According to one report, a study found that drinking around seven glasses of water a day could ease pain and improve the patient’s quality of life.
- If your skin appears dull and lifeless, and makes you look older than actually you are, it could be the result of inadequate water intake. Drinking water flushes out toxins and improves the moisture potential of your skin, helping it to repair itself and generate new cells.
- Do you feel exhausted soon after you start your workout? Even mild dehydration can make your muscles weak so that your body becomes tired, sometimes causing dizziness. When you don’t replace water lost through sweat, it could also lead to cramps.
- Unexplained, constant hunger pangs are another sign that you may need to drink more water. Drink a glass of water, and if you feel satisfied, you would know that what you felt was thirst and not hunger.
Drinking more water can help with weight loss, improve kidney function, and even ward off illnesses like flu. The optimum amount of water to drink each day would depend on activity level, age, and other factors. Ensure you drink a glass of water as soon as you wake up and before a big meal. Keep a bottle of water with you at all times so that you can take frequent sips.
