Top Tips For Hydration

Hydration is critical to maintaining a healthy body and nothing hydrates you better than plain water. Even though it is not officially a nutrient, it is essential to our health and, despite media stories highlighting how important water is, most of us still don’t drink enough of it. How much water do you drink on a daily basis?

First, some medical facts by way of illustration:

Your kidneys may not work as effectively with age, leading to a fluid imbalance in your body.

Since your body has less water composition as you age, you become dehydrated much quicker than when you were younger.

On average, we should aim to drink about 2 litres of water a day to prevent dehydration. That’s the equivalent of about 8 glasses – not a lot when you break it down.

Dehydration causes fatigue and lethargy, so your energy levels suffer and you’re less likely to want to exercise. By making sure you get enough water every day, you may be surprised at how much more alert, energised and focused you feel.

Water is particularly important when you’re trying to achieve a healthy weight loss, as it improves the digestive system so that fats are eliminated from the body more efficiently.

In effect, drinking water helps to flush your system out. You should set yourself a daily water intake goal.

Top 5 hydration tips to help you get your daily water intake:

1. Bring a bottle of water with you wherever you go. If you have a bottle with you at all times you are more likely to sip from it during the day. Don’t forget to fill it up at every opportunity. Why not invest in a quality water bottle?

2. Build it into your daily routine. Drink a glass of water on waking, have another before mealtimes and so on throughout your day. Keep in mind that 2 litres is approximately 8 glasses; before you know it, 2 litres of water will be part of your daily routine.

3. Drink water before your daily walk. This will replace fluid lost through sweating. If you’ve taken point 2 on board then your body will be hydrated but bear in mind that you should aim to top up just before exercise.

4. Give it some zing! Add a slice of lemon or lime to a glass of water – a refreshing pick-me-up first thing in the morning! The health benefits of lemons are well known and provide a welcome change.

5. Go herbal. Unlike regular tea and coffee, herbal teas are not dehydrating and with such a wide variety to choose from, this can be a great way to supplement your daily fluid intake without any sugar or calories.

Drinking 2 litres or 8 glasses of water a day is one of those easy-wins and not only that, you are doing yourself the world of good.

Hydration is so important and as you’ll find out, it’s a really easy good habit to fall into.