We all know that drinking enough water throughout the day is vitally important for our bodies. But do you actually know why and what the benefits are? Keeping ourselves hydrated is one of the most crucial routines in our day, and most of us don’t do it properly. The recommended intake is two litres of water a day, which for most people, is very achievable. Let’s look at why staying hydrated is essential for good health.
How do I look?
The reason we are told to drink two litres of water a day is to protect our vital organs such as our liver and kidneys, to keep our body working properly and to stay alive. And our biggest organ, our skin is no different. Our skin cells need a healthy amount of water to function properly and without it our skin can very quickly become dry and damaged. Water delivers essential nutrients to our skin cells, helps replenish skin tissue and increases overall elasticity. Water provides moisture to the skin to maintain appearance and texture, in essence it helps delay our skin from ageing and keeps those wrinkles at bay.
Those with skin troubles can generally be improved with better skin hydration. And tip number one is, you guessed it, drink more water.
Oily skin
When our skin is dehydrated, it produces more oil to defend itself, so the worst thing you can do is use products that will further dry out your skin. If you’ve noticed your skin is oilier than normal, before heading to the shops to buy a cream, try hydrating naturally first. This means take a swim in the ocean (saltwater), drink lots of water, aiming for about 8 glasses of water a day, and even try an avocado based homemade cream. Avocado is an ultra-hydrator for your skin so any moisturiser with half an avo in it will have great hydration benefits. “Improving hydration can prevent itchy and irritated skin, providing relief to those suffering from sensitive skin conditions.” But before thinking of products, think to hydrate instead. You won’t just save money, you’ll be fighting the problem at its source.
Your skin isn’t the only part of your body that will appreciate better hydration.
Healthy hair
Our hair relies on water to stay elastic and strong. Just like skin, hair needs appropriate moisture for optimum growth, bringing us the nutrients required and removing build up and waste. A dehydrated body fails to produce strong hair cells leading to our hair becoming weak, dry or brittle.
Cold tip for your hair:
After washing your hair, rinse with cold water. This will close the pores, strengthening your hair and leaving it sleek and glossy.
Help combat cellulite
According to Wellbeing Australia, 90% of women at some point in their lives will suffer from cellulite. It’s caused by a number of factors: hormones, diet, lifestyle, genetics, and it’s no secret it can be hard to shift. While part of living is embracing these little imperfections, instead of looking to spend a fortune on creams and products to help clear those bumps drinking water may help reduce some of the lifestyle factors associated with cellulite.
More water leads to more hydration, which leads to improved skin moisture and less cellulite. Water can actively flush out the bad toxins that contribute to cellulite helping the skin become smoother and healthier. “The more water there is in your skin cells, the plumper your skin will be over the fat chambers and the less dimpling will there will be”
Give it time and patience and you will love the difference it makes.
“Keeping your body's natural highways and byways clear gives cellulite an easier escape route.”
Sleepy head
Fatigue affects everyone to varying degrees. And it’s a good thing to feel tired at the end of the day because it hopefully means you’ve had a productive day. If you consistently find yourself feeling tired, lacking in energy and struggling to focus, it might mean that you aren’t sipping enough water. According to the Better Health Channel around 1.5 million Australians see their doctor about fatigue, “For many people, fatigue is caused by a combination of lifestyle, social, psychological and general wellbeing issues rather than an underlying medical condition.”
Chronic dehydration is a top cause of fatigue during the day so headaches or the 4pm slump at work are a fairly good sign that you aren’t hydrating properly. Instead of opting for the afternoon coffee, keep a reusable bottle of water at your desk, in your car or in your bag and make sure it needs to be refilled at least once a day. You’ll notice the boost to your energy levels almost straight away. A great tip is to take a sip of water each time you find your mind wandering from a task, or when you check your phone. Then get back to your task at hand a little more refreshed and hydrated.
Drink water!
So, if keeping your brain ticking, your sleep sorted, your skin refreshed and your organs happy is as easy as upping your glasses of water, what are you waiting for? Two litres a day, or eight glasses will get you on your way. Cheers!
At a glance
- Water is essential for most body functions
- Adults should consume around 2 litres of fluid a day with the majority coming from fresh water.
- Keep a reusable bottle handy and aim to drink and refill at least once a day
- Fatigue can be a sign of dehydration
