Hydration is not hype

Your body is 70% water and staying hydrated is a critical component of your overall wellbeing. Water plays many roles in your body, including maintaining electrolyte balance and blood pressure, lubricating joints, regulating body temperature, and promoting cell health. We simply cannot live without consuming water.

The Best Way to Incorporate Hydration

A quick rule of thumb for adults is to consume half your body weight in ounces each day. An additional 10-20 ounces per hour of exercise should cover extra fluid lost from sweating. Many Americans don’t get the recommended amount, even though mild dehydration can have negative effects on our health and productivity. Dehydration is especially dangerous for the very young and seniors, but everyone can suffer ill effects from lack of water.

Get a Little Extra Hydration Fast

The experts at Connected Health have effective tips for getting your adequate amount of daily water.

1. Start and end your day with water. Drink 8 ounces of water as soon as you wake up.
2. Add a reusable water bottle to your everyday accessories. Take it with you everywhere and refill as needed throughout the day.
3. Set up reminders. If remembering to drink enough water is a challenge, set an hourly reminder on your phone or smart watch to prompt you to take a sip.
4. Get creative. If plain water is boring, infuse your H2O with fresh fruit, cucumbers, or mint.
5. Swap the sugar. Instead of a sugar-filled afternoon coffee, opt for a cup of green tea, a matcha latte or naturally flavored sparkling water.
6. Eat your water. Choose foods with a high water content like melons, celery, cabbage, lettuce, and zucchini.
7. Track your water intake for three days to see where you stand and if you need to up the ounces.

Benefits of Hydration

Who knew dark circles under your eyes could be diminished just by drinking enough water?

Water also:

• Flushes bacteria and toxins from your body
• Aids in digestion
• Supports mood stability and cognitive functions like memory, attention, and problem solving
• Prevents acne, reduces puffiness, improves tone, and increases elasticity of your skin

Does Your Doctor Know How Much Water You Drink?

Your primary care doctor will praise you for staying well hydrated, no matter the time of year. If you need support, they can also point you in the right direction and advise on hydration solutions like water additives or even IV therapies.

At Connected Health, your primary care doctor knows and appreciates your personal health journey. They take the time to understand your lifestyle and how to introduce new health routines seamlessly.

If you’re ready for a doctor who not only listens, but helps guide you through your top health priorities, call Connected Health at 724-933-4305 or FILL OUT OUR FORM to meet with our team and learn more about the benefits of personalized, proactive, and preventative primary care.