STAY HYDRATED!! DO YOU KNOW WHEN TO DRINK WATER?

HOW TO STAY HYDRATED? WHEN IS THE RIGHT TIME TO DRINK WATER?

The body is about 60% water, give or take.You are constantly losing water from your body, primarily via urine and sweat. To prevent dehydration, you need to drink adequate amounts of water.

There are many different opinions on how much water you should be drinking every day.

​Your first glass of water should be right when you wake up. Drinking water on an empty stomach in the morning can do wonders for our bodies, both internally and externally. In fact, drinking two semi-warm glasses of water first thing in the morning is attributed to the health, beauty, and longevity its people.

A glass or two of water first thing in the AM helps to jumpstart your brain and body out of sleep mode, and into grind mode. It also gets rid of any toxins and stubborn free radicals that have accumulated in your circulatory system overnight and helps to clean and purify your body’s internal organs. It is considered as  World’s easiest 2-minute detox. Try not to eat anything until 30- 40 minutes after drinking, as this is the time the body takes to steam-clean, hydrate, and energize the cells with new oxygen.

Drink Before You Eat

Before any main meal throughout the day, you should drink a glass of water 30 minutes before to help with digestion and keep your caloric intake in check. Not only does the water prepare your intestines for the food coming down the pike, it also prevents you from over-eating, since the water lines your stomach and makes you feel fuller faster.

DON’T: Drown Your Stomach During Mealtime

A common mistake that people make is gulping water during, and immediately after eating.

 Since we absorb water best when our stomachs are not full of food, drinking heavy amounts of water during or directly after a meal dilutes the body’s natural juices that aid in digestion. It is recommended to drink one glass of water 30 minutes before and during a meal. This will allow your digestive system to do its thing without any wet and wild distractions and will help your body to absorb the nutrients more efficiently.

DO: Drink Before a Workout (and After)

Depending on your body’s fluid levels at the time, you may need one or more glasses of water before you hit the gym to protect against dehydration during your workout.  After your workout, it’s important to drink a lot of water to replace the fluids lost through sweat and humidity.

​Following vigorous exercise, you may need to drink several ounces of water to replenish vital fluids lost throughout your workout. The amount you’ll need depends on your weight, health, and whether you exercised in hot or humid conditions – especially for long periods – among other factors.

DON’T: Drink Too Much During a Workout

Keep yourself hydrated while exercising, but avoid drinking too much. Excess water consumption during your workout will reduce sodium concentration in your body and deplete your natural electrolytes, resulting in fatigue. Also, always try to drink from a glass over a bottle. And if you have to use a bottle, ensure that it is food-grade.  It’s recommended to drink a few small sips (just enough to coat your mouth and throat) during your rest periods while exercising, in order to avoid over-drinking and diluting your body’s natural energy. 

DO: Drink Before Bath Time 

Drinking one glass of water before taking a bath can help lower blood pressure. The water should be warm to promote dilation of your blood vessels, which causes blood pressure to drop. Plus, drinking water dilutes sodium levels in the body, which further aids in lowering blood pressure. 

DO: Drink Before Bedtime

If you are fully hydrated before going to bed and sleeping, you can lower the risk of heart attack and stroke, as dehydration elevates the risk factors for cardiovascular disease. A heart attack occurs mostly in the morning because the blood is thicker due to loss of water. This is of the many good reasons to drink water at night in order to keep your body hydrated while you are sleeping.

DO: Drink When You’re Tired

Drinking a glass of water when you feel tired will help to power up your brain.  Since your brain consists of 75% water, drinking a glass or two when you’re feeling sleepy will help to replenish your noggin’s fluid levels, and increase cognitive functioning.  Drink a glass of water if you’re feeling tired at work, or if you have a big presentation coming up and need to focus. If you’re feeling the need for a nap but can’t take one, have a glass of water instead.

DON’T: Drink While Standing

Avoid drinking water while standing as it can have an adverse effect on your kidneys, and can even lead to arthritis. Sitting while drinking allows your body to better filter the nutrients and direct the water to specific areas that need nourishing, rather than going directly into your stomach with a force, as it does when standing. Also, we typically drink water a lot faster while standing, which brings your nerves into a state of tension. This is when problems like arthritis and joint damage can happen.