You can basically count on water being the elixir of life. And staying adequately hydrated is crucial for maintaining optimal health and well-being. Every cell, tissue, and organ in your body relies on proper hydration to function efficiently. Whether you’re an athlete, a busy professional, a student, or simply someone looking to improve your health, understanding and practicing good hydration habits is essential.

Chances are, you’re probably dehydrated right now without even realizing it. When you’re hungry you know when you’re hungry, but it’s not always that clear when it comes to hydration. Sure, when you’re sweaty, and it’s hot, you know, but other than that, it’s not always such a clear indicator. It’s all a part of picking up those much-needed healthy habits and getting better at being healthy. So, here’s what you need to know when it comes to staying totally hydrated!

Why Do You Need to Stay Hydrated?

When it comes to hydration, it doesn’t matter too much how you get it, like a hydrate IV bar, water (not soda, milk, or juice), whole foods, you name it. But it’s important to get it in the healthiest way possible. So, why do you need to stay hydrated? Why does it matter? Well, like hunger, you need it for survival, but it doesn’t end there. Hydration directly affects your physical performance, whether you’re engaged in intense workouts or everyday activities. Dehydration can lead to decreased endurance, strength, and coordination.

But it doesn’t end there; like hunger, it can become challenging to keep the brain sharp. Staying hydrated is not only essential for your body but also for your brain. Dehydration can impair cognitive function, leading to difficulties in focusing, concentrating, and making decisions. There are other things too to think about, like digestive health and even the temperature of your body too. Overall, there are more than enough reasons why your body actually needs this.

Why Can You Tell if You’re Dehydrated?

As mentioned above, there’s a chance you’re dehydrated right now, and you don’t even know it. The average person is pretty dehydrated, and they only think they’re dehydrated when they’re thirsty or when it’s hot. But when it comes to dehydration, it goes way further than that.

  • Your thirst is your body’s way of telling you it needs more water. Don’t ignore it; sip water regularly throughout the day.
  • Dark yellow urine is a sign that you’re not drinking enough water. Pale yellow urine indicates proper hydration.
  • Your skin and your mouth are dry. Do you have dry, flakey skin? Well, that’s a pretty clear indicator of dehydration. It’s not just about drinking in this case; make sure to use serums too.
  • Fatigue and/or dizziness happen not only with hunger but even when you’re dehydrated too.

How Can You Stay Hydrated?

One of the easiest ways to just stay hydrated is to ensure that you’ll stay hydrated by simply incorporating more water into your diet and consuming foods rich in water, like fruits and veggies. Even doing things like monitoring your intake and creating a routine for how much you’ll need to drink can honestly help you a lot, too. Overall, it’s just so important to try and do all of this and to just keep it all in mind.