Our bodies are mostly made of water. Its importance can be known from the fact that it is required to perform most functions of the body. If the water supply, and subsequently the water levels in the body get too low, then it can have far-reaching effects throughout the body and on our overall health.
Low levels of water in the body are the cause of dehydration. A simple term, yet it can be fatal if not taken seriously. Not only staying dehydrated can affect the natural balance of our body, but it can also have major consequences by messing with our mental, physical and even emotional health.
There has been a long ongoing debate over how much water per day we need to drink. However, it is generally advised by experts in the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicines to drink around 3.7 liters per day for men and 2.7 liters per day for women. As enough to stay sufficiently hydrated. We even derive a lot of water from the food we eat and other beverages, which helps a lot to maintain good water levels in the body.
Acknowledging so many sources of water, you might think that it is fairly easy to maintain proper levels of hydration.. However, we also constantly lose a lot of water throughout the day, be it through sweat, urine, breathing, or while going to the bathroom.
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Additionally, we get so busy in our daily workload and household chores that we end up forgetting to drink enough water. It is not as easy as it may seem. It is extremely important to be mindful and aware. We must rehydrate ourselves by drinking water at regular intervals throughout the day.
Besides the proper functioning of our bodies processes, water has a great impact on our mental balance and directly affects our mood. Wondering what is the relationship between water and the brain? Let’s find out
Relationship between Water and Mental Health
When your body does not receive enough water and it's struggling with the effects of dehydration, it takes a toll on your brain too. It slows down blood and oxygen circulation, making you feel tired. You tend to struggle to operate well on your daily activities. Worse case scenarios can also see you becoming anxious and having frequent bouts of depression.
Studies have concluded that even mild dehydration can make you lose weight, impair your brain functionality, decrease your concentration, increase the frequency of headaches, shorten your memory and even affect your brain’s long-term performing capabilities.
Water comes with calming properties that protect the brain from the struggles it faces due to dehydration. It allows the brain to operate at peak performance and it makes you think clearly. It ensures a good supply of oxygen to brain cells, improving memory and relieving stress. It has been proved that the more water you drink in a day, there are better chances of you feeling good and in an optimum mental state.
Water for Good Mood
Water is known for calming down your nerves. Sipping some water whenever you are feeling down, angry, frustrated, or irritated can immediately soothe your mind. With increased blood flow and oxygen to your brain, you feel more relaxed and make more sensible decisions.
Moreover, when you have enough water in the tank, you will have more energy, and you will be able to participate in a lot of activities which might lighten up your mood and brighten up your day. It is natural for you to feel down and out and be in a sad mood when your body feels tired, run-down, stressed and foggy in the head.
However when you constantly drink water throughout the day, then the delicate dopamine and serotonin balance in the brain is well maintained and you feel lifted, energetic and highly spirited. When these natural chemicals are controlled and balanced, then depression and anxiety stay away, and you feel charged up and mentally relaxed.
Tips to Follow for Proper Hydration and Good Mood
If you suffer from frequent mood changes, or feel irritated, frustrated, nervous, sluggish, or tense, then H2O can be the way to go for you. By following some general tips and avoiding carelessness, you can take a big step ahead towards being healthy – both physically and mentally.
Drink enough water
Forget 8 glasses of water a day and understand the requirements of your body. Your water needs may depend upon your age, topography and climate of the area where you reside, the physical activity you indulge yourself in and the number of other fluids and food you consume.
You should carefully assess these factors and determine how much water should be enough to keep you hydrated. One easy indicator to know your hydration levels is the color of your urine. If you are hydrated, then it should either be clear or mildly yellowish. But if you are dehydrated, then the color of your urine will usually be pale to dark yellow and it will also have a very foul smell.
Eat enough fruits and vegetables
Most fruits and vegetables have very high water content. Some of them such as watermelon, strawberries, pineapples, peaches, oranges, bell peppers, broccoli, celery, cucumber, tomatoes, spinach, oranges, apples, raspberries, cantaloupe, carrots, etc have more than 85% water content and can fulfill your body’s need for water in a significant manner.
Even if you do not drink appropriate quantities of water, eating vegetables and fruits will cover up for the loss of water and protect you from dehydration. Additionally, these foods are full of essential vitamins, minerals, nutrients and antioxidants that can do wonders for your overall health. As we know, a healthy body leads to a relaxed mind. And as the studies have found, the healthier a person is, the happier he is!.
Work Hard and Engage in Physical Activities
Exercising holds significant importance in keeping a human body healthy. Whether it is working out in a gym or engaging in other activities cycling, running, or participating in any sport. You should aim to stay as active as possible. Ideally, you should work out for at least 45 minutes a day and 5 days a week.
Exercising in itself is great for your mental health and enables your mind to concentrate and focus better while relieving pressure and stress. But apart from this, it increases your thirst as you lose a lot of water in the form of sweat. People who exercise regularly usually drink enough water in a day,and ultimately achieve stability of mind and the accompanying happiness that comes with it
Try Alkaline Water
Alkaline water in simple terms refers to water with a high pH level. Regular tap water has generally a neutral pH balance of 7, meaning it is neither acidic nor alkaline. However, alkaline water has a slightly higher pH level of above a 9 level and it provides a lot of extra health benefits.
By switching to alkaline water, you can ensure an optimum pH balance in your gut and avoid problems such as acidity, heartburn, acid reflux and other related gastrointestinal issues. Moreover, alkaline water is easily absorbed by body cells and it keeps them hydrated for much longer as compared to regular water.
To get easy access to alkaline water, you can try the DYLN Bottle. It comes with a VitaBead Diffuser that converts regular water into alkaline water within minutes. The bottle comes in various color and size options and can be easily carried anywhere. Even when you are outside, all you need to do is fill your DYLN Bottle with regular water, and within minutes you will have access to alkaline water. You can sip in alkaline water throughout the day, keeping yourself hydrated for longer and maintaining high spirits.
Final Words
Water is our lifeline. We need it to survive. Whether it is for daily household operations or performing your bodily functions, we are completely dependent on water, and we can’t even begin to imagine life without it.
Though most of us are aware of, acknowledge and understand the need for water and how we should drink enough of it daily, not much is talked about its importance for our mental health. Not many will tell you that it can directly impact your mood.
Here we have discussed the connection between your mind and water, and how it can be the solution for those suffering from poor mental health or who have frequent mood swings. Yes, not drinking enough water can be a reason for your bad mood, and having some of it can easily improve your mood and turn your life around. By just following the suggestions discussed above, you can keep yourself hydrated and lead a quality life with good health and full of happiness.
