Do you drink plenty of water every day, or do you wait until you are thirsty? If you start feeling thirsty, you are already becoming dehydrated. That being the case, no wonder you are feeling tired. Being well-hydrated helps you fight fatigue and improves your energy.
When you’re adequately hydrated, your body maintains a healthy fluid balance, and when dehydration occurs, your body starts to suffer which leads to feelings of tiredness and fatigue.
One significant consequence of dehydration is a decrease in blood volume. Blood is primarily composed of water, and when you’re dehydrated, there’s less water available in your bloodstream. As a result, your blood volume decreases, meaning there’s less blood circulating throughout your body.
This means that your heart has to work harder to pump the reduced volume of blood to all parts of your body. With less blood available to deliver oxygen and nutrients to your cells, your heart compensates by pumping faster and harder to maintain adequate circulation. This extra effort places additional strain on your heart, and when your heart is working harder than usual, it can leave you feeling exhausted, both physically and mentally.
Have you ever noticed how people rush to give a person water when they are not looking too good? It’s a natural thing to do because we all need water to survive! Therefore, staying hydrated is key to great health, healthy energy levels and preventing fatigue.
How Hydration Can Boost Your Energy Levels and Fight Fatigue
By understanding how proper hydration affects your body, you can take steps to ensure you stay adequately hydrated throughout the day. Water assists in your metabolism and nutrient absorption, essentially converting food and nutrients into energy. When you’re well-hydrated, your body can efficiently utilize these nutrients, enhancing your stamina and vitality.
It also helps to keep your muscles and joints lubricated, reduce fatigue, and support optimal muscle function. Whether you’re exercising or engaging in daily activities, proper hydration enables you to keep going! That’s why exercise enthusiasts don’t go anywhere without their water bottles.
Hydration doesn’t just prevent physical fatigue. It is essential for preventing mental fatigue. If you don’t drink enough water it can lead to decreased alertness and poor cognitive function. By staying hydrated throughout the day, you can prevent mental exhaustion and stay focused, rather than wanting to take a nap.
How to Keep Hydrated
This is so obvious, drink plenty of water! However, so many people don’t. Hopefully, that’s not you, but if it is, here are a couple of things to do to ensure that your body is properly hydrated all the time.
Follow the Recommended Daily Water Intake
In general, it’s recommended that you drink 2 liters of water every day. However, this amount still varies. For instance, adults may need to drink more water based on body weight, activity level, environmental factors, and overall health status. Children don’t need to drink quite that much, but make sure they drink plenty of water and not unhealthy soft drinks.
Don’t Wait to Be Thirsty
As I mentioned above, don’t wait to be thirsty before you reach for a glass of water, so learn how to recognize your thirst signals. Feeling thirsty is the first sign that you are already becoming dehydrated. Think about how you felt before this, or better yet, drink before you get any signal at all.
Increase Your Water Intake
Admittedly, not everyone is a fan of water, but since it’s as important as air, you must develop the habit of good hydration. To help you increase your water intake, use an insulated water bottle that you can carry with you throughout the day. This can be a great guide in helping you monitor your water intake as you will be aware of how much water you drink.
Also, water is water, so avoid flavored water that has artificial sweeteners. If you do need to flavor it add a dash of lemon, not cordial flavorings.
Prioritizing your hydration is key to boosting your energy levels and combating fatigue. By following the recommended daily water intake and listening to your body’s thirst signals, you can stay hydrated and your body will thrive! To get started on your new hydration habit, go and have a glass of water right now.
Here’s cheers to your newfound health and vitality!
