Without air we cannot live for more than a few minutes. But next to air, drinking water is the most critical factor towards maintaining good health. If we go more than a few days without water, we face dire health consequences and can even die of dehydration. Some medications can even cause dehydration by reducing our natural thirst and by acting as a diuretic, flushing water out the body. And because our brain is composed of about 80% water it makes sense that if we become dehydrated our mental health can suffer.
Drinking at least 16 ounces of water first thing in the morning is a great way to start the day. At night we lose water through sweat and going to the bathroom. It’s also the longest period of time we go without water. Thus, morning is the time we need to hydrate the most. Drinking till we fill full first thing in the morning ensures that we start our day off with the greatest potential for physical and mental wellness.
I find that keeping a 32 oz. Nalgene bottle full makes is convenient to stay hydrated. If you are super sensitive to plastic or want a cleaner feel to the water, I suggest getting a case of 32 oz. wide mouth mason jars. Having a large bottle makes it more convenient to consume larger quantities of water throughout the day. As a general rule we should aim to be drinking between 1/2 to 1 oz. of water per lbs. of body weight. For those of us on medication we should strive to hit the upper end of 1 oz. per pound a day as this will help flush toxins out of the body faster and keep the lymph system cleaner.
The type of water we drink is also important. Purified tap water is great because it’s cheap and a good affordable filter can last several months. I prefer a Zero Filter for a number of reasons. The primary reason I like it is because it eliminates all the total dissolved solids to zero parts per million. By doing so it makes the water able to hydrate at the cellular level. This filter is also great because it is certifies to reduce lead and other contaminates.
In Conclusion, staying hydrated is critical to maintaining good physical and mental health. By drinking more H2O we support brain function which uses the majority of water we consume. Drinking copious amounts of water also helps to flush out toxins from our body, which in turn helps to reduce some of the side effects of medication.
Making a habit of drinking more water can easily be done by getting a good water bottle, keeping if full of purified water and using it rather than giving in to the desire to consume sugary drinks, which cause dehydration and weight gain.
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Mentally Sound 