Dehydration is a serious problem
Staying Hydrated: Why it's so important
Staying hydrated is paramount to being healthy.
We’re not just talking about doing what you can do prevent diseases and health-related issues down the road. We’re talking about side effects that will affect how you feel, how your brain operates, and how you perform and your daily tasks.
Here at iWaterPurifcation we want to raise awareness of the importance of drinking water, and how easy it is to ensure that you feel the best you can! Making sure you drink enough water is one of the easiest and most important things you can do for yourself.
Later in this article, we will discuss some of the long term effects of dehydration, but we will also explore the fast-acting effects of not drinking enough water, and most importantly, what you can do to prevent it!
Staying hydrated means you’re giving your body enough water for it to function properly. This is especially important for the most complex organ in your body, your brain!
Below, we’re sharing the details about what happens when your body is dehydrated, how staying hydrated can keep you healthy, and tips for getting plenty of water in your daily diet
What is Dehydration?
Dehydration happens when your body is losing more fluid than it is taking in, according to a definition from the Mayo Clinic. While anyone can become dehydrated, it’s more common for some people than others, including the following.
● Young children and the elderly
● Those who are living in or visiting areas with a hot climate
● Those who exercise vigorously
● Those who are sick or have an ongoing illness
Dehydration is a serious problem
Water is necessary for the body to function correctly. These are just a few of things that hydration does to keep your body running.
● Regulates body temperature
● Protects tissue and joints
● Helps with digestion
● Removes waste from the body
Studies have shown that even a minimal amount of time spent being dehydrated can have some serious and lasting adverse effects on the body. The threat becomes more serious when individuals are more physically active outside in the heat. This creates some serious problems for those who are living in areas with higher temperatures or those that play outdoor sports in the summer.
Problems resulting from dehydration can be both physical and mental, with the same studies showing a cognitive decline in those who don’t have enough water in their body. Simple tasks like maintaining focus and answering questions become difficult when dehydration starts to affect the brain.
It’s possible to be suffering from dehydration and not even know it. In fact, many people are dehydrated every day and don’t recognize the problem until they start seeing other health issues as a result.
Here are some signs that you might be dehydrated:
● Dry mouth or a sticky feeling inside the mouth
● Muscle cramps, including worsened menstrual cramps
● Bad breath as a result of not having enough saliva in your mouth
● Dry skin that will also take longer to bounce back when pulled
● Fever and chills can be present in cases of severe dehydration
● Headaches, and in some cases, migraines
● Dizziness, a rapid heartbeat, and rapid breathing
The most obvious but also the most overlooked symptom of dehydration is thirst. Thirst is your body’s natural way of letting you know that your body needs water to function correctly. If you’re feeling thirsty, grab your glass water bottle or head to the water cooler for a nice long sip to give your body what it needs.
When you’re dehydrated, you’re putting yourself at risk of developing some serious health problems. Luckily, getting plenty of water from water coolers, water pitchers, and water filters each day can help you get back to being healthy and living your best life.
The Link Between Dehydration and Your Health
With between 50 to 60 percent of body weight being made up of water, it’s no surprise that hydration is the key to a healthy body. When it comes to having healthy organs, drinking plenty of water from a water filter or water dispenser each day makes all the difference. In fact, studies have shown that even mild dehydration can cause permanent damage to your body.
Having enough water every day allows your body to flush out toxins naturally. When there’s not enough water to do that, those toxins stay in the body and can cause a long list of problems, including muscle fatigue. By staying hydrated, you’ll be helping your body by making muscles and joints work more effectively.
Kidney stones are a serious concern for those who are dehydrated. In this case, the issue isn’t necessarily dehydration itself, but the low urine volume that comes as a result. Urine dilutes the particles that turn into stones, so without it, stones are more likely to form.
Water helps to support cardiovascular health. Without enough water in your body, your blood volume will be lower which means your heart will have to work harder to get blood and oxygen to all of the parts of your body. This effect on your cardiovascular system can make everything from simple everyday tasks to regular exercise much more difficult.
The last health concern we’ll cover in this section is energy levels. This might not seem like such a problem after talking about kidneys and heart health. However, it’s also one of the improvements that will be easiest for you to recognize when you start properly hydrating your body. You’ll notice that you have more energy for working, doing chores around the house, and running errands. You’ll also likely feel less tired throughout the day and make it through the afternoon slump a little easier.
Not having enough water in your body is a leading cause of kidney stones. You might be surprised to learn that 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. As a whole, we just aren’t drinking as much water as we should be. That can lead to a host of health problems. Some can be easily remedied by drinking more water each day, but others will take more time, effort, and medical attention to resolve.
Now that you know about the benefits of staying hydrated, you might have some questions. Let’s look at some of the most common questions about staying hydrated and how getting more water into your day can help you be healthier and happier.
How much water do you really need?
This number is different for each unique body. While there’s no exact rule to answer this question, there are some guidelines to follow. In general, you should be drinking water when you feel thirsty, which is your body’s natural way of letting you know you’re dipping below the line of having enough water. If you’re unsure if you’re hydrated enough, check the color of your urine. The darker the color, the less hydrated you are.
How can you enough water daily?
It can be tricky to make sure you’re staying hydrated when your schedule is full of running errands, going to work and school, and taking care of a family, however, it’s important and should be a priority in your day. The key is to make it convenient.
Use portable water filters, water coolers, and water filters at home, at work, and on the go. Take a glass water bottle with you wherever you go. Always be prepared when your body lets you know it needs water.
Do other beverages count?
Liquids that are made mostly of water, like juices and sports drinks, will count toward your daily water intake. However, most other beverages will also include things like sugar or artificial sweeteners that aren’t especially good for your health. Instead, try using water filters to get plenty of pure, freshwater in your day. You’ll also add to your hydration by eating fresh fruits and veggies.
Exercising increases the amount of water a person needs
When you work out, you’ll lose more water from sweating. One study showed that runners in a 10-mile race underestimated how much fluid they were losing and only replaced 15% of those fluids which caused decreased performance and, for many, dehydration. Increase your water intake based on how physically active you are throughout the day. Consider grabbing a portable water filter for easy access.
Staying hydrated will keep you healthy
Staying hydrated can help to prevent many health issues and will also help to get you on track to remedy any health problems you might already be dealing with. Some factors can’t be helped by merely drinking more water, but you’ll likely notice an improvement in your overall health when you’re well hydrated.
Staying hydrated will keep you happy
Many of the health issues linked with dehydration can take a severe toll on your mental health. For example, if you don’t get enough water, you’ll probably have regular headaches, feel tired throughout the day, and feel some cramping in your stomach. That’s enough to put anyone in a bad mood..
Quality of water matters
When you’re working hard to stay hydrated, the quality of your water matters. Luckily, many products on the market will remove impurities from your water and make it taste great, so you’ll be more inclined to sip all day.
Glass Water Bottles
The easiest way to make sure you’re drinking enough water every day is to carry a bottle of it with you wherever you go. Glass water bottles are an excellent option for many reasons. Quality glass water bottles can last for years when taken of care of. They’re strong, easy to clean and will never affect the quality of drinking water like plastic does.
There are tons of glass water bottles to choose from! Whether you care more about form or function is up to you, but know that both options exist. Pick one that you like for a convenient way to stay hydrated. Fill your bottle in the morning and take it with you while you run errands, go to the gym, and head to work. Refill it at your office water cooler and carry it along while you pick up the kids from school.
There are hundreds of types of glass bottles on the market, so you’ll have plenty of options to choose from. You’ll easily find one with color, design, and list of features that will fit with your personal style and your needs. Here are a few things to consider when purchasing a glass water bottle:
● Mouth width to make it easy to fill, add ice, and drink out of
● Convenience features like a carrying loop or a grip to make it easier to hold
● Bottle size to be sure it will fit in your cup holder in the car or at the gym
● Lids designed to avoid leaks and spills
Some of our favorite glass water bottles are the Zulu Atlas Water Bottle with Flip Lid, the Bkr Original Glass Water Bottle, and the Purifyou Premium Glass Water Bottle.
Water Pitchers with Filters
There are many reasons that people don’t get enough water throughout the day. A common excuse is that someone may not like the taste of tap water. Many factors can change the taste of tap water, including problems with the pipes bringing the water into the building, chemicals used to treat the water, or elements naturally found in the water.
Water pitchers with filters are an effective way to get rid of the particles that cause a strange taste in tap water and make it more pleasing to drink. Filtering water will also offer health benefits while keeping you hydrated such as removing impurities. Keeping a water pitcher in your fridge means that you’ll also have delicious, cold water ready to be poured.
Look for a pitcher that’s been proven to remove significant contaminants. When choosing your pitcher, keep in mind that you’ll need to replace the filter regularly. Keep those costs in mind to be sure your favorite option fits in with your budget.
These are some of our favorite water pitchers that will fit in your fridge: this Brita Water Pitcher , the Waterdrop Extream Long-Lasting Pitcher and the PUR Classic Water Pitcher.
Water Coolers
When it comes to getting enough water in your day, it doesn’t get much more convenient than using a water cooler! Water cooler dispensers allow you to have fresh, cool water at your fingertips all day long.
Some employers might be against the idea of installing a water cooler because of the cost. However, you’ll likely end up spending less money on a water cooler over time than you would by going out and buying bottled water each month. Don’t forget to factor in labor costs. How much time will you spend picking up bottles? Watercooler services often come with free bottle delivery each month.
Water cooler dispensers are a great office option because you can have both hot or cold water with the push of a button. With the right water cooler, employees can have a refreshing cup of cold water or make a relaxing cup of tea in the afternoon. Water coolers aren’t just for work. There are many options designed to be used in homes as well.
Bottom Loading Water Dispensers
When you’re looking at water dispensers, you’ll notice that some have a top-loading option while others are bottom loading. Bottom loading water dispensers will do wonders for saving your back from pain and injury. If you’ve ever been tasked with swapping out the water bottle in a dispenser, you know how much of an impact that could have on a buying decision. When you’re choosing your bottom loading water dispenser, consider the following:
● Think about how you’ll clean the machine and look for easy cleaning options
● How easy will it be to remove water jugs and replace them
● Water temperature can vary greatly so look for one that gets the water hot or cold easily
● Keep size in mind if space is at a premium in your home or office
Some of our favorite bottom loading water dispensers include the Whirlpool Self Cleaning Water Cooler, Avalon Bottom Loading Cooler and the Primo Stainless Steel Bottom Loading Cooler.
Countertop Water Filters
If you’re drinking a lot of water at home each day (and we hope you are!), then a water pitcher in your refrigerator might not be enough. For some, a bottom loading water dispenser might take up too much room in the kitchen. A countertop water filter is the perfect in-between option.
Countertop water filters are a game-changer at home. They offer a more effective water filtration system that will get rid of most contaminants and allow you to get cool, clean water from your tap and into your glass.
When choosing a countertop water filter, be sure to keep space in mind. While these filters will take up significantly less space than more office-friendly options, they’ll still take up space on your countertop. For smaller areas, a faucet water filter might be a better option to consider.
A few of our other favorite countertop options: the Big Berkey Countertop Water Filter System and the Zen Water Systems Countertop Filtration System.
Take Away
Staying hydrated is the key to keeping your health in check and preventing future health problems. While focusing on drinking plenty of water each day, be sure that the water you’re drinking is fresh, clean, and delicious. Choose the water filtration system that best suits your needs so you’ll stay motivated to get hydrated and keep your kidneys and whole body healthy!