Drink more water! Hydrate. Blah blah blah. We all know we should drink more water. It’s practically shoved down our throats daily. So much so that there’s even an app for counting how many glasses you’ve downed! But why do we need to drink more water? Because we’re thirsty? Because we’re told we need it, that’s why. After some research, I learned that hydrating is more important than you might realize…and for more reasons. Check out the 10 reasons why you should start your day with one big glass and continue drinking water for the rest of the day.
1. It can make you happy!
Think your hormones are making you cranky? You may not be drinking enough. Research has shown that even mild dehydration can negatively affect moods. The good news is that the cure is almost immediate. Chug two glasses of water and feel yourself switch from crappy to happy!
2. You’ll look younger
Water not only hydrates the inside of your body, it hydrates the outside too. Your skin is the largest organ in your body, and drinking lots of water can improve the color and texture of your skin by keeping it from drying out and helping it to build new cells properly.
3. You’ll have more energy
Water composes 75 percent of your muscles, and dehydration can lead to fatigue, weakness, and dizziness. Water fuels your cells and gives you the energy and strength to kick butt in your workout and power through your daily chore list.
4. You’ll be smarter
Dehydration can actually cause your brain tissue to shrink. When you don’t drink enough water, your brain has to work a lot harder to perform at the same level. Dehydration can also impair your attention span, memory, and motor skills.
5. Your joints will feel better
The cartilage in your joints is made of about 85 percent water, and water cushions it and keeps it soft and hydrated. Drinking lots of water will keep you moving faster, pain free, and longer.
6. You’ll get better quicker
Studies show that people who stay hydrated get sick less often, and when they do they recover faster. Water boosts your immune system, and drinking plenty of it helps fight against ailments like the flu, cancer, and even heart attacks.
7. You’ll be skinnier
Your body can confuse thirst with hunger, and if you’re like me, you dive for something to eat at the first sign of discomfort. The truth is oftentimes you need water instead of food. Drinking plenty of water can save you hundreds of calories a day. Staying hydrated can also serve as an appetite suppressant simply because it makes you feel full. Try drinking a glass of water before each meal and watch yourself get fuller, quicker.
8. You’ll have less belly pain
Water in your stomach and digestive tract helps things move along faster. It attaches to fiber in the colon and helps dissolve it and fats. If you don’t have enough fluid in your body, your colon will take some water out of the stools, leading to constipation and belly pain.
9. Your eyes will feel better
The membranes in your eyes and mouth are composed of and made healthy by water too! The water in your body hydrates your eyes and lubricates them. When you don’t drink enough, your eyes (and mouth) suffer.
10. It’ll cure your headache
Some studies show that up to 75 percent of people walk around dehydrated all day. One of the main signs of dehydration is headache, which could develop further into a migraine. When your brain loses water and shrinks, it triggers pain receptors that give you a headache. Most of us pop Advil and wait for it to go away when we really should be drinking water! Aim to drink a few small sips a minute until your headache goes away.