Water is a liquid that we drink to survive but, have you ever wondered how it affects our mental well being?
You’re always told to drink water from health care providers, but ever wondered why?
Yes, our body composition is largely of water, so we need to replenish the liquids that our body excretes.
The CDC notes that water has been known to
“(1) regulate body temperature
(2) Lubricate and cushion joints
(3) Protect your spinal cord and other sensitive tissues
(4) Get rid of wastes (CDC, 2022)”.
Water and Your Mental Health
Not sure if you are one of those people who hates drinking water, but water is vital for our mental health.
Dehydration cannot only affect your physical health but also your emotional wellbeing.
When you lose bodily fluids your body starts to lose energy.
The chemical components of water, hydrogen and oxygen aid in many chemical reactions that occur in your body.
These ions are vital for our body to do the most basic functions.
Did you know that depression can be a sign of dehydration?
According to Hooks (2023),
“Dehydration can negatively affect serotonin by lowering its production making the individual vulnerable to depression (Hooks, 2023)”.
So when you’re experiencing dizziness, exhaustion, dry skin, dry mouth and you’re urinating in a darker color, your body is telling you to drink more water.
Water is detoxifying your body from all that chemical wastes.
When dehydrated you are adding more stress on your body.
Trust me dehydration is not the good kind of stress.
You still start to feel more exhausted, irritable and your heart will start to pump blood too quickly.
Your body will start to work overdrive to replenish the lost energy.
There is only so much you can do without water.
The Ecobud reports that the “maximum that a human can go without drinking water is about three days (Ecobud, 2023)”.
Remember mental health disorders can be derived from lack of physical self care. Water may be annoying to drink but it is essential for our body to function.
Take a minute to think of other ways to increase your water intake.
It is okay that you are not a fan of water, but try to incorporate it into your daily routine. Try consuming fruits and vegetables with a high water content.
Dietitian Cecilia Jaarsma (Jaarsma, 2023) recommends you consume the following to stay well hydrated;
- Cucumber – 96%
- Tomatoes – 95%
- Spinach – 93%
- Mushrooms – 92%
- Yellow melon – 91%
- Broccoli – 90%
- Brussel Sprouts – 86%
- Oranges – 86%
- Apple – 86%
- Blueberries – 85%
You can always incorporate fruit in water to add flavor, if you want something natural.
You do not have to drink gallons of water to stay hydrated, your goal is to incorporate enough water so that you can reach proper hydration.
Cutting down on flavored juices, soda, and alcohol can greatly improve your hydration levels.
Many commercials claim that soda is a great way to hydrate your body but in reality it is doing the opposite.
Sugary drinks dehydrate your body, making you feel more thirsty than you originally were.
The Mayo Clinic recommends the following tips to increase water intake;
| Flavor it. – Add fruit to your water. Lemons, limes and oranges are tried and true. |
| Tie it into a routine – Drink a glass of water every time you brush your teeth, eat a meal or use the bathroom. |
| Eat it. – Many fruits and vegetables have a high water content, including melon, cucumbers, lettuce and celery. |
| Track it. – Invest in a high-tech bottle or set an alarm as a reminder and to track how much you drink. |
| Challenge a friend. – Kick off a healthy competition with a friend or your kids to see who can meet their goal. |
| Take it to go. – Fill your water bottle before you leave home, and bring it along on your daily travels. |
| Alternate your drinks. – Try alternating with water. Each time you finish a glass of water, switch to soda or juice and vice versa. |
| Source: Reiland, 2023
Reiland, L. (2023, August 16). Tips for drinking more water. Mayo Clinic Health System. https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/tips-for-drinking-more-water |
Remember to stay hydrated so that your mind and body can reach optimum health.
This post was written by Jasmine P., and published by Convenient Counseling Services.
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