Are you tired or just thirsty?
Are you tired or just thirsty?
It's 3pm. Maybe your work day is slowing down (or speeding up), and you are looking for that pick-me-up. Coffee and something sweet, right? At the same time, you might be daydreaming about finding a corner in your office, curling up in a ball, putting a cute sleeping mask on, and taking a solid 45-minute nap. Sigh...
If this sounds familiar to you, you might need to go refill your water bottle. All of the above are actually signs of dehydration. Say what? When you hear "dehydration," you might assume that means a severe condition that requires immediate attention. While that can be true, it's important to know there are actually two signs of dehydration: early and mature.
Early signs of dehydration include headaches, cravings (hello latte and a scone), irritability (why did I just yell at my co-worker for asking me if I had purple post-its?), fatigue, and even depression. Mature signs include symptoms that would certainly spark more urgency, like heartburn, migraines, and even joint and back pain.
Water is the most common nutritional deficiency in the American population. Water is so readily available, yet we are forgetting to consume it. At the same time, the standard American diet includes TONS of diuretics (coffee, tea, soda, energy drinks, etc.) that are essentially reversing some of the water you did drink. While we are all for a cup of good quality coffee in the morning, it's important to remember to ADD water to your daily intake to compensate for this.
So how much should you be drinking? According to the Nutritional Therapy Association, simply divide your body weight in half, and that's the amount of ounces you should consume. For bonus points, take each diuretic beverage (like an 8 oz coffee), multiply it by 1.5, and add that to your daily amount. This will help even it all out.
Why is water SO important? Water plays many essential roles in your body.
Transports nutrients
Helps you breathe easier
Provides cushion for your bones and joints
Keeps your body temp regular
Removes wastes & flushes toxin
Helps us heal
Can be that missing link to "why do I feel so 'bleh'?"
We understand it can be difficult to "remember" to drink water. But here's an idea of how you can make it a little easier: invest in a nice water bottle that keeps your water cold (like a Hydroflask - it's worth it!) and bring it with you everywhere. In these summer months, especially, it's important to keep drinking water throughout the day.
Sometimes the tiniest change, like adding water consumption to your day, can make the biggest difference in how you feel and function. So drink up and live your best life when the clock strikes 3pm.
