Drink Up! Why You Need To Drink More Water

Hebrews 10:22
let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
We've all been told at least once before that we need to drink more water, to which the common reaction is "I know." But, do you really know why you need to drink more water? The most logical answer is of course to stay hydrated, but it's important that you know WHY drinking water is important and how it affects your health and daily life so that you can commit to keeping a habit of drinking water daily.
First things first..did you know that your body is comprised of anywhere between 55-75% water?! Fascinating isn't it! We were created by God with a body that consists of a substance that God created to bring life, to purify and cleanse and restore life. It is no wonder then that we were designed in such a way that requires us to consume the very living water He created to sustain health and wholeness.
WATER IS NEEDED FOR THE FOLLOWING ESSENTIAL BODILY FUNCTIONS:
Temperature regulation
Transportation of nutrients and oxygen
Proper elimination of waste and bacteria
Detoxification
Digestion
Electrolyte balancing
Muscle repair and joint health
Supports healthy skin barrier function
THE BENEFITS OF DRINKING WATER
1. Prevents dehydration
Studies have shown that we require between 8-10 cups of water on average a day for just daily basic body functions to avoid dehydration. If you're active, that number goes up!
Dehydration can increase the occurrence of headaches, brain fog, fatigue, and dizziness which isn't fun at all and an indication that your body requires more water.
Consuming enough fluids allows for proper brain and digestive function which can affect your levels of energy, focus and clarity. If you're physically active, you will also notice less fatigue in your muscles and quicker recovery post workouts when properly hydrated with water containing electrolytes.
2. Supports the look of healthy skin, eyes and hair.
Water is FUNDAMENTAL to the maintenance of healthy looking skin, eyes and hair. All the nourishment you consume through your diet is transported to your skin via water intake. Dehydration can lead to dull, dry skin that is easy irritated and can show signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles. I always say it's the number one skin care treatment! Lack of water can also lead to dry, flaky and brittle hair because it grows from your scalp-which is an extension of your skin. Bloodshot red eyes can also be be an indicator for dehydration so drink up some agua to get the bright glow back!
3. Supports digestion, detoxification and proper elimination
Your body needs a lot of water to properly and effectively digest you food and eliminate daily waste and toxins. When you go to the bathroom and sweat, those are the ways your body detoxes and gets rid of what we don't need. Your kidneys and liver require water to clean your blood, produce urine and help your body to get rid of waste. Drinking enough water keeps your kidneys healthy and may help prevent the formation of kidney stones and constipation.
When you're sick your body is also going to require lots of water to recover quicker, so always stay hydrated when fighting a fever, cold, flu or any infection.
4. Supports healthy weight
By staying hydrated with water your body has better metabolic function and burns calories more efficiently. It also allows for you to avoid over eating to compensate and reaching for sugary drinks that will only dehydrate you further.
Now I know many of you may be saying, but I drink coffee and juice, does that count? The true answer is..no! Coffee is a diuretic so it actually dehydrates you, so for every cup of coffee, you ought to drink 1-2 glasses of water. Here are some tips below to make drinking water easier for you!
TIPS:
Add lemon or natural fruit to your water for added nutrition and flavour to make it tastier! Adding lemon to your water has a vast amount of benefits as well including alkalizing your body and promoting detoxification. I always like to add berries and a bit of mint for a refreshing flavour o mix. Try to avoid sugary drinks, juices and even sports drinks that can contain a lot of unnecessary additives.
Try adding coconut water, herbal tea and fresh pressed juices. All of these contain an amazing amount of electrolytes, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and anti-inflammatory properties so it's a great way to add more water into your daily routine with the added benefits! For those who aren't vegan, bone broth is another way to add healthy fluids to your day while adding amino acids and collagen as well.
Eat more fruits and veggies. I know, I know, we all have heard this a million times, but it's true! Adding more fruits and veggies boosts your water intake as most fruits and many veggies like apples, watermelon, oranges, celery, cucumber and tomatoes contain water in them PLUS the necessary fibre.
Carry a water bottle with you and set reminders. I do this so that I'm constantly taking sips of water everywhere I go and have the ability to refill it whenever I can and be reminded. A good way to start your day is to have a glass of water BEFORE your morning coffee. If drinking water regularly and healthier beverages is newer or challenging for you, set mid and end of day reminders. There are easy and free water apps you can download to give you little nudges throughout your day so you can keep track according to your weight and height.

DRINK UP!