It’s a tale as old as time that 8 glasses of water a day is the magic bean you need to solve your health concerns. Is the formula to optimal hydration just THAT simple?
While there is no magic pill to get your health on track, an understanding of your own hydration needs and the amount of fluid your body requires in a day, can be a HUGE boost to succeed in living a healthy life.
Understand that water constitutes about 70 percent of your entire body weight, which makes it one of the most essential resources to have in your arsenal in order to survive.
While tackling the goal of 8 glasses per day might seem accessible, it is also important to understand the water intake for each individual will differ from time to time. Here are some factors to keep in mind while setting up a hydration goal :
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Weather- As the scorching hot months approach, your body may start craving more water. You may find yourself feeling more parched and reaching for that bottle just a little more. The heat may increase the amount you sweat , so give your body that extra bit of hydration when you crave it.
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Exercise - When you work out hard, you lose a lot of bodily fluids while you sweat - remember to replenish yourself by drinking water after the workout. It also aids in muscle recovery and will help you push yourself to accomplish a harder exercise once your body is hydrated!
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Sickness - At times where your health battery is low, your body may require more fluids to flush out some of the toxins, so 8 glasses may seem far too little in those times.
So is drinking water the only way to keep yourself hydrated? Well no, you can bridge the gap in your hydration needs by also consuming fruits and vegetables - such as tomatoes, watermelon and spinach that have a high content of water in them. By adding these elements to your diet, you are not only hydrating yourself but also giving your body the fiber and vitamins that it truly requires.
PRO TIP - Drinking 8 glasses of water may be a great place to start your journey of being more mindful of your hydration needs, here are some tips to make hydration easier and more fun for you!
1. MAKE IT APPEALING - Drinking a plain old glass of water may just be so boring that you tend to skip out on the task completely, add some slices of lemon and orange into your water! Not only does it make it look more pleasing but acts as a great method to begin detoxification of your system
2. GET ARTY - Draw up a water tracker or use one off the net, mark off a glass every time you drink a glass and make sure to have fun with it.
3. MAKE IT A RITUAL - Drink a glass of warm water (even squeeze half a lemon in it) every morning to get your system ready and going. It is a great substitute for that first punch to the gut cup of coffee and is far more beneficial for your digestive system!
4. NOT JUST WATER - Remember water is not the only way to stay hydrated - Cucumbers & Lettuce are jam packed with with 96 percent of water, definitely a great addition to your meals.
Get fruity! Go to the market and pick up melons, cantaloupes and pineapples - not only are they delicious but they also have a high water content, that does the same job as having a glass of water or two.
Another way to add some liquid into your diet without chugging bottles and bottles of water is to introduce soups to your diet - water and vegetable based soups like broths can be a great idea for a light and refreshing meal. For the warmer days, Coconut water is a great alternative to add to your meal plan, it's light and fresh and makes hydration just a step more fun!
Hydration doesn’t have to be a task and nor does having to consume multiple glasses of water in one go. If you lead a busy and stressful life and have absolutely no time to track how much water you are drinking, Leave it up to your Carebyte Health Concierge! Your concierge is available 24/7 for YOU , so that you don’t need to worry about your health anymore.
Download the app and let’s get started - your health goals await you!