The Link Between Hydration and Energy Levels

As most people are aware, staying hydrated is crucial for overall health.

There are many negative symptoms associated with dehydration, with fatigue and low energy being among the most notable. So, next time you start feeling fatigued during the day and you don’t know why, the answer might be as simple as not drinking enough water.

How Hydration Increases Energy Levels

According to Harvard Medical School, water is essential for carrying nutrients to your body’s cells and it also flushes out toxins. Without the proper distribution of nutrients in your body, you’re sure to have low energy. Your body weight is 50-60% water, and your body is constantly losing water, so it is absolutely necessary to drink plenty of water throughout the day.

How Much Water Do You Really Need?

The amount of water one needs per day depends on many factors such as body weight, activity levels, age, etc. The National Academy of Medicine suggests that men should drink around 13 cups (104oz) per day and women should drink around 9 cups (72oz) per day. Those are just good rules of thumb, but it’s going to be different for everyone. For a more accurate estimate of how much water you should drink daily, they have calculators online that you can use.

Signs You’re Not Drinking Enough Water

Your body has many different ways of telling you that you’re not drinking enough water. The most obvious, of course, is feeling thirsty. Anytime you feel thirsty, consider grabbing water over something like a soda. Other signs could include headaches, fatigue, dry mouth, irritability, muscle cramps, dry skin, and sometimes joint pain.

How to Ensure You Stay Hydrated

Some people may have a hard time staying hydrated. Often, it’s due to simple things, such as just not thinking about drinking water, not liking it, or not knowing how much to drink.

Here are some easy ways to ensure you stay hydrated each day.

• Sleep with a cup of water on your nightstand so you can drink it first thing in the morning.

• Invest in a reusable water bottle and keep it with you throughout the day so you don’t forget about it.

• If you don’t like the taste of water, try squeezing some lemon juice in it, or use flavored hydration packets.

• Be mindful about what type of drink you go to when you feel thirsty and choose water.

• Keep track of how much water you drink in a day, that way you don’t just assume you’ve drunk enough when you really haven’t.

Water is an essential part of everyone’s health. Be mindful when your body is telling you that you’re dehydrated and respond appropriately. Create small habits like choosing water over soda or carrying a bottle with you wherever you go. By staying hydrated, you can ensure that you have enough energy to get through each day.

Be Well, Auburn.