How to Stay Hydrated & Boost Your Wellbeing (Ultimate Guide)

Drinking enough water is essential to maintaining overall health and well-being. The majority of US adults do not drink enough water daily. In fact, during 2015-2018 the average adult only consumed about 44 ounces of water per day.

Dehydration can negatively impact our physical and cognitive performance. Since so many of are likely dehydrated most days, it is essential to understand the importance of hydration and how to properly stay hydrated.

In this article, we will seek to understand hydration, discuss the benefits of adequate hydration, review practical tips for staying hydrated, and overcoming hydration challenges.

🚰 Understanding Hydration

So why is hydration so important? As you probably have heard before, the majority of our bodies are made of water, nearly 60%. Since it makes up such a large portion of our bodies, no wonder why water is so essential to life. In fact, water helps our bodies conduct many vital functions including:

• Regulating our body temperature
• Carries oxygen and different nutrients to parts of our body
• Helps to flush our waste products through our liver and kidneys
• Assists with digestion and absorption of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients
• Lubricates joints and moistens tissues

It may come as no surprise, that because it helps with so many major functions, it is important to stay hydrated. In general, it is recommend that adults consume at least 8-12 cups (64-96 ounces) of water per day.

However, everyone’s needs may vary depending on a variety of factors including age, activity level, climate, perspiration, diet and body weight. Understanding these factors will help you determine your specific hydration requirements.

There are certain fluid recommendations for some health conditions. If you are ever wondering how much water you should drink please consult with a health care provider or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

✅ Benefits of Staying Hydrated

There are several benefits to staying adequately hydrated including maximizing physical performance, improving our cognitive function, and promoting healthy skin and digestion.

We know that drinking water optimizes our physical capabilities, allowing us to perform at our best during exercise, sports, and daily activities. Not only that, but dehydration can also impair cognitive function.

This can affect overall concentration, memory, and mental clarity. When you are adequately hydrated this helps to keep your brain sharp and focused.

Finally, it can also promote healthy skin and digestion. When you are properly hydrated this promotes vibrant skin and helps keep it moisturized by preventing dryness.

It also is helpful with the digestion process because it helps our bodies absorb nutrients and maintain regular bowel movements.

Related: Structured Water: A Closer Look at its Potential Benefits

📋 Tips For How to Stay Hydrated

To ensure proper hydration throughout the day, consider implementing the following tips:

1. Drink enough water during the day

To do this, it can be helpful to bring a reusable water bottle with you wherever you go. This can help to remind you to drink enough water, especially since it’s readily available. However, you still need to make a conscious effort to sip water regularly.

For some, it can also be helpful to set reminders on your smart phone or use a nutrition app to track your fluid intake throughout the day and make sure you are drinking enough.

2. Include water rich foods in your diet

Incorporate fresh fruits and vegetables with high water content, such as watermelon, cucumbers, oranges, and spinach. Aside from fruits and veggies, soups and broths are also great sources of hydration.

3. Limit caffeine and alcohol

Certain beverages that contain caffeine or alcohol act as diuretics. This basically means that it increases your urine production and can dehydrate you if you’re not drinking enough fluid.

It is recommended to consume these types of beverages in moderation and balancing them with additional water intake.

4. Monitor urine color and frequency

In general, the most practical way to know if you’re adequately hydrated is paying attention to the color of your urine.

Pale yellow indicates proper hydration, while darker urine suggests mild dehydration. You should also aim for frequent bathroom breaks.

5. Stay hydrated during physical activity

Hydrate before, during, and after exercise or any strenuous activities. Pre-hydrate by drinking plain water before starting, and replenish electrolytes with sports drinks or coconut water for prolonged activities.

Related: Top coconut water benefits explained

📖 How to Overcome Hydration Challenges

Hydration can be challenging, especially during busy schedules or extreme temperatures. Consider the following strategies to overcome these challenges:

Hydration in Extreme Temperatures:

• During hot weather, increase your water intake to compensate for increased sweating.
• In hot weather, you may also benefit from electrolyte containing drinks to prevent severe dehydration.
• In cold climates, remember that dehydration can still occur, so stay mindful of your water consumption and avoid relying solely on thirst as an indicator.

Hydration During Busy Schedules:

• Incorporate short drinking water breaks into your routine.
• Use apps that remind you to drink water at regular intervals.
• Opt for a portable water bottle or invest in reusable collapsible water bottle for hydration on the go.

📑 Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding the importance of hydration and implementing strategies to stay properly hydrated is crucial for maintaining overall health and well-being.

Unfortunately, the majority of US adults do not consume enough water daily. This can lead to potential negative impacts on physical and cognitive performance.

By staying adequately hydrated, we can maximize our physical capabilities, improve cognitive function, and promote healthy skin and digestion.

To ensure proper hydration, it is recommended that adults consume at least 8-12 cups (64-96 ounces) of water per day, although individual needs may vary based on various factors.

Incorporating water-rich foods into our diet, monitoring urine color and frequency, and staying hydrated during physical activity are practical tips for maintaining hydration levels throughout the day.

Incorporating these tips and strategies into our daily lives will help us prioritize hydration, optimize our physical and cognitive abilities, and ultimately improve our overall health and well-being.

So, let’s raise a glass to staying hydrated and embracing the benefits it brings to our lives. Cheers to a hydrated and thriving you!

❔ Frequently Asked Questions

How Can I Hydrate My Body Fast?

The fastest way to re-hydrate your body is by drinking water. However, athletes or those who are dehydrated due to diarrhea and vomiting may benefit from electrolyte repletion in addition to water intake. To replete your electrolytes you can have sports drinks or coconut water.

What Hydrates You More Than Water?

Water is the best way to stay hydrated. But, as mentioned above if you are engaging in prolonged exercise or have had diarrhea or vomiting then your body will need electrolyte containing fluids in order to get properly hydrated.

Why Do I Feel Like I Can’t Stay Hydrated?

If you feel like you can’t stay hydrated, it could be due to a variety of reasons. It may due to climate (elevation, humidity), perspiration, diet and more. To determine your individual hydration and nutrition needs it’s recommended to meet with an RDN.

What Are 3 Warning Signs of Dehydration?

There are many signs that your body does to communicate to you that it’s dehydrated. Three warning signs of dehydration include darker colored urine or passing urine less often, feeling thirsty and lightheadedness.