Water is essential for life, yet 75 percent of us do not drink enough of it. The worst part is most of us are so used to feeling like crap that we don’t know what it feels like to be hydrated. We NEED water to support the shape and function of our cells. When our cells are not getting the proper hydration they require to run optimally they begin to shrivel up and lose their ability to function.
Water also plays a crucial role in excreting our waste and regulating our immune system, and without it begins the accumulation of these toxins in the body. It’s like trying to mop a dusty floor without water—our immune system can’t wipe away the debris, plaque, and damaged cells.
Instead of reaching for a cup of coffee first thing, start your day off with two big glasses of water. Not only will this give your body what it needs to flush out the waste and toxins that accumulated overnight, but it will also give you a hydration buffer to work with for the rest of your day.
My best advice is to start creating hydration habits. Some examples are to set a hydration reminder alarm on your phone, have a bottle or glass nearby, and pay attention to and honor thirst cues (dry mouth, lips, and skin; fatigue).
Another great way to add more water to your day is by eating fruit and vegetables. Vegetables such as celery, cucumber, iceberg lettuce, tomato, and zucchini contain over ninety percent water. Other nutrient-rich vegetables with high water content include broccoli, green cabbage, cauliflower, eggplant, and spinach. Fruits such as apricots, blueberries, oranges, peaches, pineapples, plums, and raspberries contain over eighty percent water. Melons such as cantaloupe and watermelon have some of the highest water content, at more than 90 percent.
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