What is hydration?

Hydration is the “process of making your body absorb water.”

We all know that hydration is important and good for us, but for many (including myself) it can be a pretty big challenge. How much water do you consume in a day? Any at all?

Tis the season of hot and humid! Just today here in Austin, TX the real feel was 102* (HALPP). But as we see the temps rising, it is even more important to be aware of how often we are drinking up!

---

We know that water is essential for our health, but why?

• helps regulate our body temperature
• flushes waist and toxins
• improves brain function

---

Want to know more reasons hydrating is important and even some tips and tricks I use to spice up my water? Keep on reading.

1. Water helps regulate and maintain our body temperature: Staying hydrated is crucial to maintaining your body temperature. Our bodies loose water through sweat during physical activities and hot conditions. Sweating assists in cooling us, but our body temp will rise if we don’t replenish it with water. Our bodies lose plasma and electrolytes when dehydrated!
2. Water protects our spinal cord, tissues, and joints: Water consumption helps lubricate and cushion your joints, spinal cord, and tissues. This will help you enjoy physical activity and lessen discomfort caused by conditions like arthritis.
3. It helps excrete waste through perspiration, urination, and defecation: Our bodies uses water to sweat, urinate, and have bowel movements. Sweat regulates the body temp when we are exercising in warm temperatures and it is important to replenish the lost fluid from sweat. We also utilize water to have healthy stool and avoid constipation as well as it assists in helping our kidneys work more efficiently, preventing kidney stones.
4. Water aids in digestion and nutrient absorption: Drinking before, during, and after meals helps our bodies digest and absorb nutrients into our body allowing the digestion process to be easier and more effective.
5. Water improves blood oxygen circulation: Water carries helpful nutrients and oxygen to your entire body. Reaching your daily water intake will improve your circulation and have a positive impact on your overall health.
6. It helps fight off illness and boost our immune system. (THIS): Water helps prevent constipation, kidney stones, urinary tract infections, hypertension, and more. Water also helps you absorb important vitamins, minerals, and nutrients from your food, which will increase your chances of staying healthy and boosts our immune systems.
7. Boosts mood and improves energy! Drinking water may activate your metabolism. A boost in metabolism has been associated with a positive impact on energy level. Not getting enough water can also affect your mood. Dehydration may result in fatigue and confusion as well as anxiety.
8. Improves cognitive function: Not drinking enough water can negatively impact your focus, alertness, and short-term memory.

and SO MUCH MORE, but I think you get the point.

How much water SHOULD we be drinking. Well, there are million and one different numbers out there. The one rule of thumb I like to use (as many others do) is 1/2 your body weight in oz. So someone who weighs 180lbs, at minimum should be drinking 90oz of water. If that same human is moving their body and sweating, they should be tacking on about 20oz for every hour of movement in their day! I strive for 120oz of water a day. Some days are good, some not so good! Don’t forget you do get water through fruits and veggies, too 🙂

But, JEN!!! Drinking water is so hard & BORING!

Oh my goodness, do I hear that!

---

TIPS AND TRICKS TO SPICING UP & DRINKING YOUR WATER!

• 

•