So, the other day, one of my colleagues asked me the secrets of my youthfulness. What a compliment, right? The whole conversation came up in a work meeting when I had mentioned that I was turning 40 next year and they were all surprised (in a good way). “Really?” “Almost forty?” “I can’t believe it!”
Afterwards, she came to me and asked me “what are my secrets.” Ironically, I was standing by the water cooler (filtered water of course) with my one-litre water container.
I told her that water was one of my many secrets to staying healthy, energetic and I guess, looking younger than my years. She then asked “how much do you drink?” – this being one of the most popular questions that I get asked.
I consume about three litres of water (usually more) per day with three litres being the optimum amount. This doesn’t include the herbal teas that I may drink in the afternoons.
With summer looming (YES!), it’s such an important reminder on the importance of hydration. The human body is made of 57%-65% water, depending on your age.
So, unless you are making sure that you are consuming water regularly, how do you think your body and organs remains hydrated? This is totally in your control as the body relies on YOU to make sure that it is kept properly hydrated.
Water helps to keep our organs hydrated so they can do their good work. It is also a critical component to assisting our body filter out toxins. And, as a result of toxins being properly and regularly eliminated, it does contribute to helping your skin’s hydration and luminosity. Bonus!
Are You Dehydrated?
Now, let’s talk about the 6 signs That You May Be Dehydrated.
1. You’re Thirsty
Kind of obvious, yes. But, in the busyness of life, we often don’t make drinking water a priority. So, if you feel thirsty, you are literally dehydrated.
2. Dry Skin
I used the word luminosity when I referenced healthy skin early. But it’s true – water provides hydration to your skin that will help it to be more supple.
3. Headaches
Headaches, migraines and even lightheadedness can be a result of dehydration. You may also experience weakness, or nausea, because the body doesn’t have enough fluid to send to other parts of the body.
4. Fatigue
Mild levels of dehydration have been shown to affect mood and cognitive functions. Well, of course this make sense when our own brain contains water!
5. Urine Colour
This is the best tip to learn if you have enough water in your diet. If your urine is an obvious bright yellow color, you’re dehydrated. What you are looking for is urine that is slightly pale yellow. But, totally clear urine is not necessarily a good thing as you can over hydrate so that’s why it’s sometimes a balancing act. But, definitely, a strong yellow colour is a sign of dehydration.
6. Muscle Cramps
Earlier this week, a colleague of mine was asking me what remedies I had for leg cramps and muscle spasms. The backstory is that this colleague of mine was in a weight loss program for severe obesity and as a result, she was experiencing several medical complications.
Part of the reason is that her body was detoxing, not to mentioned the body was adjusting to all these “foreign changes”. This is also because of the loss of water and salt in the body especially if we’re exercising.
So, hydration is key in this situation and in particular, so are electrolytes. Here’s my favourite homemade electrolyte recipe that can be used when you’re working out, when you’re sick, perhaps when you’re in a detox/cleansing program or just for an everyday sip.
Homemade Electrolyte Recipe
- 2 cups of room temperature, filtered water
- 1/3 tsp of grey sea salt
- Juice of one lemon
- Mix all ingredients together and sip away!
