You know your body needs certain things to function, like sleep and food. But it’s easy to overlook another must-have, probably because it’s flavorless and odorless. Yep, it’s water. If you want an easy way to set yourself up for a healthy life, add sipping more of this liquid to your list.
Why is drinking water so important? Let’s take a look.
What drinking water does for you
For something that seems pretty simple, water plays a critical role in your body. Specifically, it:
Impacts your mood and mental wellness
If you’ve been feeling low-energy or having trouble concentrating, check your water intake. Not drinking enough water can lead to dehydration, and even a little bit of it can negatively impact your mood.
Beyond that, studies show that dehydration can heighten your risk for the symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Helps your body flush out what it doesn’t need
Your system uses water to get help get rid of the stuff you need to expel. Without enough water, your kidneys — the main toxin/waste removers in your body — can’t function the way they should. You need water to make urine and to prevent constipation. If you want your body to be able to clear out what it’s not using anymore, you need to be hydrated.
Regulates your body temperature
We had a hot summer here in Ventura County. If you, like a lot of us, don’t have A/C, you were probably looking for just about any way to keep cool. So drink up. Being sufficiently hydrated allows you to sweat, and that gives your body its best way to regulate temperature.
Keeps your joints happy
Want to maintain your mobility by minimizing your joint pain? You guessed it. Drink more water. It plays a key role in keeping your joints lubricated and cushioned so you can move with less discomfort.
How much water to drink
Long story short, drinking water matters for your physical and mental health. But how much do you need?
That depends. On a hot day, you need more. If you eat a lot of fruits and veggies, you get some water from them and need a little less. If you’re pregnant or nursing, you need to up your intake. Clearly, there’s a lot to consider here.
You can use this calculator to get a rough idea of how much water you should drink. Make it a habit to sip water throughout your day. You might want to start carrying a water bottle with you so you can make water intake a little easier, too. Try to drink more and see how you feel.
Ultimately, water plays a huge role in your wellness — but it’s just one piece of the puzzle. Check in with yourself to see what your body and mind need. And for help supporting yourself, don’t forget that we have mental health services available here at the Ventura Counseling & Wellness Center. If you’d like to learn more, get in touch.
