While chances are that you’ve been dehydrated at least once in your life, you may or may not be able to recognize the short term effects. These include excessive thirst, tired, head-achy feeling and lack of urination. Other facts about dehydration you may find interesting include:
- Water makes up 60% of your body weight!
- Water is essential to your body. It not only transports nutrients and waste products between our major organs and helps regulate body temperature, it also lubricates your joints, eyes, and facilitates proper digestion and healthy skin.
- We are constantly losing water from our bodies through urination, defecation, sweat, and even water vapor from our breath. Without replacing those fluids one can become dehydrated.
- Dehydration can degrade cognitive performance including: visual vigilance, tension, anxiety, fatigue, and visual working memory.
- Dehydration was linked to negative mood rating, impaired motor performance and short-term memory.
- Dehydration can lead to weight gain. When you’re excessively thirsty, your body sometimes misreads the sensation as hunger, causing you to over-eat. Opting for water instead of sugary drinks can help reduce body weight and fat levels. Studies indicate than an increase in drinking water (34 oz. a day) was associated with 5 lbs. of weight loss over a 12 month period.
- Chronic, mild dehydration can cause constipation. Just a 1% loss of body mass due to fluid loss is defined as dehydration. Water is essential to helping waste move easily through your digestive system. When there is not enough water, your stool becomes compacted, making it harder to eliminate.
- Chronic dehydration can lead to poor Kidney function and the potential for Kidney stones. High water intake is shown to have a protective impact on the kidneys.
- Studies show that even a modest level of dehydration (2% of body mass) can result in a 20% decrease in physical performance in a temperate climate, and up to a 40% decrease in performance in hot temperatures.
To stay hydrated in summer months, or during Santa Ana wind events, try following these five simple suggestions:
- Avoid prolonged exposure to high temperatures
- When temperatures rise, stay inside with air conditioning when-ever possible
- If you must be outdoors, seek shade and drink water often
- If you exercise outside, ie: running or walking, try heading out in the early morning or late afternoon hours to avoid peak heat periods throughout the day
- Get in the habit of carrying a water bottle in your car, backpack or purse and drink frequently when you run errands that take you outside
Considered a trail-blazer for Holistic Health Education in Southern California, Healing Hands School of Holistic Health has prepared more than 6,600 students for rewarding careers as Massage Therapists and Holistic Health Practitioners, and can do the same for you! For more information about the 80+ massage and related Holistic Health classes offered, please visit us at www.HealingHandsSchool.com or call our friendly admissions team to schedule a tour at (949)305-2722 in Laguna Hills or (760) 746-9364 in Escondido.