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Holistic Wellness Practitioners in Kansas City Know Water is Our Life Fuel!

When those gallon-sized reusable water bottles gained popularity, wellness aficionados rejoiced. Sure, they’re as big as some people’s torsos, but they also contain most of the water you need to consume in a day to make sure that you’re fully hydrated.

Your body may be 60 percent water, but a lot of it leaves your body throughout the day and needs to be replenished. You need daily hydration to maintain that moisture and keep you holistically healthy.

How Does My Body Use Water?

Water is first and foremost a building material for our bodies. It is a vital nutrient for the life of every single cell in our bodies (about 37.2 trillion of them, actually). According to the U.S. Geological Survey, water:

Regulates our internal body temperature through sweating and respiration.
Metabolizes carbs and proteins we eat and carry it to our bloodstream.
Flushes waste, mainly through urination.
Provides shock-absorption qualities for our brains and spinal cords.
Protects an unborn fetus in its mother’s womb.
Forms saliva, which protects our teeth and helps us chew our food.
Lubricates joints for ease-of-movement.

In short, your body uses water for nearly every function.

Am I Hydrated Enough? How Can I Tell?

It’s more effective to describe how to tell when you aren’t well hydrated. When you’ve consumed plenty of water, you feel good and energized. But when you’re dehydrated, you’re going to be able to recognize specific symptoms that let you know it’s time to refill your glass, STAT.

You feel thirsty.
If you’re already thirsty, you’re already approaching dehydration. Drink water even after your thirst is satisfied.
Your urine is a dark color.
Well-hydrated bodies produce pale-colored urine. When you’re dehydrated, your kidneys release urine without diluting it with water, allowing your body to retain its moisture. Cloudy, dark-yellow urine, or infrequent urination are sure signs of dehydration.
You feel fatigued or dizzy for no apparent reason.
Even mild dehydration can occur without exercising. Your body uses up fluids, and you simply need more! Dehydration can cause your blood pressure to drop, causing your dizziness or nausea. If you find yourself feeling tired, nauseated, or dizzy without a clear explanation as to why, drink a glass or two of water and see if it helps!
You get headaches and feel irritable.
A fluid loss of 1.4 percent of your body weight has been shown to cause headaches and moodiness in healthy women, according to a study by The Journal of Nutrition. Men’s bodies get similar symptoms when dehydrated, too! For headaches caused by dehydration, drinking adequate water can provide relief much faster than over-the-counter drugs.
You experience changes in your skin.
Your skin is elastic thanks to its make-up of 30 percent water. Hydrated skin almost immediately returns to its normal shape when pulled or stretched. Conversely, dehydrated skin has less elasticity and may not snap back immediately. You may also notice that your skin feels more dry than normal.
Your muscles cramp.
If you’ve been sweating a lot, you could get muscle cramps if you’re dehydrated. Sweating makes your body lose fluids and sodium, an electrolyte your body needs for prop muscle contraction. Without enough electrolytes, your muscles can cramp involuntarily.

How Much Water Should I Drink Every Day for Wellness?

To simply survive, you must consume a minimum amount of water every day. Fortunately, some of the foods we eat are full of it, such as lettuce and certain fruits. But to practice holistic health and be well, you’ll need to drink an adequate amount of water to stay hydrated.

The amount you need will vary depending on your age, gender, where you live, and how much physical activity you get each day. Generally, an adult who is biologically male needs about 3.2 quarts (or 3 liters) of water per day, while an adult who is biologically female needs about 2.2 liters or 2.3 quarts a day.

Is Drinking Alkaline Water Good for My Health?

Alkaline water has had its pH level increased. A pH level measures how acidic or alkaline a substance is, on a scale of 0 to 14. A pH of 7 indicates a neutral substance, whereas numbers lower than 7 are acidic, and numbers above 7 are alkaline, or basic. It is believed that alkaline water prevents excess acidity in the body. The alkaline water you purchase at the store usually has a pH of 8 or 9. Tap water has a pH of 7.

Although the science is still lacking on the helpfulness of drinking alkaline water, some people believe it may have ultra-hydrated properties because alkaline water molecules are smaller and more readily absorbed by the cells in your body. This could help you rehydrate more quickly. Drinking alkaline water won’t harm you, so if you prefer it, drink up!

When Should I Drink Water?

Doctors recommend drinking water throughout the day to maintain your hydration. You should also drink a glass of water:

After you wake up. This will help activate your internal organs and help to remove toxins that may have settled overnight.
30 minutes before a meal and an hour after. This will aid in digestion, help your body digest nutrients, and assist you with eating smaller portion sizes.
When you feel hungry between meals. Sometimes feeling hungry is your body’s way of saying you need more water.
Before you take a bath or shower. This can help lower your blood pressure.
Before, during, and after exercise.
An hour before you go to sleep, so you don’t lose too many fluids overnight.

Incorporate Water into Your Holistic Health Routine

People looking to change their lifestyle and escape from the stress of technology, noise, and overly-scheduled days are likely interested in opportunities to develop a mindset of holistic wellness. To become healthy, you must begin to make choices that result in positive effects on your body, such as staying hydrated, limiting nicotine and alcohol intake, practicing self-care, exercising, and more.

Kansas City Wellness Club prides itself on helping downtown residents navigate their journey to holistic welln e ss. Through our exercise classes, spa treatments, energy healing, life coaching, and more, plus our concern for all things ecological, you can discover a rewarding, more peaceful lifestyle that leaves you feeling like yourself.

The Importance of Staying Hydrated and How to Tell If You Are