Hydration and Vitality: How Water Recharges Your Energy?

Do you find yourself waking up after eight hours of sleep, drinking huge amounts of coffee and still feeling extremely exhausted at noon? You're not the only one experiencing such problems. Our modern life is usually associated with numerous stressful situations, lack of proper rest and a busy schedule, but the problem may be even simpler and more basic than all of those things mentioned above: dehydration.

People call water the "elixir of life" and that is not a surprise. Every single cell, tissue and organ in your body depends on constant water consumption. Drinking water does not only quench your thirst, but it also fuels your body's natural mechanisms and improves energy flow. Read on to discover how simple fluid intake can unlock your true physical and mental potential.

What is Hydration and Why is it Important?

Hydration is the process of maintaining the balance of fluids in the body. Water constitutes up to 60% - 70% of an average adult person's body weight. As we constantly lose the fluid due to the constant physiological process of breathing, sweating and urine production, we have to restore the balance.

Proper hydration provides the normal functioning of numerous physiological systems. Here are some examples of the processes dependent on the proper amount of fluid:

• Temperature control: The sweating process ensures that your body cools down and maintains an optimal internal temperature.

• Nutrients transport: The water transports all the necessary vitamins, minerals, and glucose into your cells.

• Waste removal: Your kidneys and liver rely on water for the process of filtering toxins from your body via sweat and urination.

• Joint lubrication and protection of vital organs: Fluids act as shock-absorbers for your joints and decrease the friction in them.

Even the loss of just 2% of water from your body can result in a series of negative consequences such as abrupt exhaustion, dizziness, and muscle stiffness.

How Water Fuels Your Body and Promotes Natural Energy Flow

To understand why drinking water helps to boost your energy levels, let us analyze what effect dehydration has on the main body systems.

1. Brain and Cognitive Functions

Your brain consists of 75% water. When your body is dehydrated, the brain tissue loses water, and your brain has to make bigger efforts to perform the same functions. That is the reason why dehydration quickly leads to headaches, inability to concentrate, forgetfulness and irritability. Proper hydration provides brain cells with energy and sharpens cognitive abilities.

2. Heart and Circulatory System

Blood is approximately 90% water. With the lack of water, blood volume decreases and your blood become thicker. To provide organs with oxygen and vital nutrients, the heart has to work much harder, and this additional effort leads to physical exhaustion and increases your heartbeat or decreases blood pressure.

3. Digestive and Metabolic Processes

Water is absolutely necessary for digestion of food, production of saliva and nutrient absorption. If you are dehydrated, the function of your digestive system decreases, and you may experience such unpleasant symptoms as constipation, bloating and heartburn. Moreover, water is a key element of the processes responsible for conversion of food into energy for cells.

4. Muscles and Joints

If you want to move easily and feel energetic, then your muscles and joints need water. Fluids serve as a protection layer for joints and allow them to move smoothly. Lack of water in the muscles leads to quick fatigue, cramps and spasms.

5. Kidneys and Detoxification Process

Kidneys need water to filter toxins and metabolic wastes from the blood. The reduction in fluid intake forces them to retain water, which leads to darker urine. Such concentrated fluid contributes to the formation of crystals and makes you more likely to develop such diseases as kidney stones and UTIs.

Signs of Dehydration vs. Overhydration

Your body is very good at giving signals. Living energetically requires the skill to notice and act on those signals before the issue arises.

Note: Don't wait until you are really thirsty and only then grab a glass of water. Being thirsty is a late signal meaning that your body is low on water.

Symptoms of Dehydration

• Dry mouth, cracked lips, or sticky mouth

• Fatigue, dizzy spells, or a headache

• Urine dark in color (strive for a lighter color closer to a pale straw)

• Decreased amount of urine or muscle stiffness

Risk of Overhydration

A rare but still possible phenomenon is when your body takes in too much fluid. Excessive fluid consumption leads to hyponatremia which is a dangerous state with low blood sodium levels. It is accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, confusion, weakness, and intense headaches. Healthy and correct water intake strategy is regular, not forced consumption of gallons of water all at once.

How Much Water is Enough for You?

Water needs highly depend on a person's age, gender, activity level, and climate. However, there are some generalized recommendations set by experts which make a great starting point for daily intake:

• For men: 3.7 liters (around 15.5 cups) of water daily.

• For women: 2.7 liters (around 11.5 cups) of water daily.

Remember, that these numbers refer to the total amount of fluid consumed including both liquids and moisture from food. One way to increase your fluid level is through the use of hydrating food such as watermelons, cucumbers, oranges, spinach, etc.

Strategies That Help You Stay Hydrated and Energetic Everyday

Forming a habit of hydrating regularly doesn't have to be difficult. Here are some tips on how you can stay hydrated without even trying:

• Start off in the morning: Have a glass of water right after getting out of bed and thus re-hydrate yourself after a long night's sleep.

Also Read: Grounding Through Nature: How Walking Barefoot Boosts Energy?

• Carry around a water bottle: Use a reusable water bottle that is always close-by. This way you will always have your water bottle in front of your eyes.

• Add flavor: If plain water seems to be boring, add fresh fruit slices, pieces of cucumber or a sprig of mint.

• Limit caffeine: Moderate consumption of coffee or tea contributes to your daily fluid intake, but high levels of caffeine might disrupt your sleeping and lead to headaches. Make sure to balance them with the same amount of pure water.

• Watch the heat: Increase your fluid consumption during hot summer months, when spending time in dry, heated indoor air during the winter, or when increasing your workout intensity.
  

Conclusion

Daily hydration is one of the easiest, cheapest and most beneficial things you can do for your long-term health and energetic state. With the right amount of water intake, you help your heart, train your brain, improve your digestion and ensure proper functioning of your body energy system. 

Pair healthy hydration with professional energy healing by booking a session with AuraHeal's experienced healers to restore balance, clarity, and lasting vitality!