We think we know everything about the importance of water in life. Yet, how much attention do we pay to our bodies” needs to stay healthy and function well?

It’s amusing, in a way, how often we take our health for granted. I want to address this blog post as a friendly reminder to everyone about something that can easily slip our minds with our busy lives: taking care of ourselves. You might think, “Of course, I do my best to stay healthy and fit, and I always try to keep a positive mindset”. But do we?

We glide through life, ignoring the little warning signs our bodies send us, until—bam! —we’re hit with an illness that forces us to pay attention. Only when we start to feel miserable do we start scrambling to eat better, drink more water, exercise, and rest properly. Or we resort to taking tablets – tablets for digestion, migraines, constipation, and pain. Sound familiar?

It’s like we wait for a wake-up call before we start caring about our well-being. But imagine how much better we’d feel if we looked after ourselves all the time, not just when we’re trying to bounce back from sickness. After all, prevention is the best medicine!

What do I have in mind?

As we age, adjusting how we care for our bodies is crucial. Think of it like maintaining a car: regular maintenance keeps running smoothly. Our bodies are no different. By tweaking our diets and eating habits, we can sidestep many potential problems. Our ageing bodies benefit immensely from specific nutrients, vitamins, and supplements to function at their best. And water!

Just like a car engine needs oil to function properly, our bodies need water to stay well-lubricated and prevent overheating.

Just like a car engine running without replenishing the oil, it starts to wear down and eventually breaks down completely. Oil is essential for lubricating the engine parts, reducing friction, and preventing overheating.

Importance of hydration

Similarly, our bodies need the right fuel – nutritional foods, proper hydration, and essential vitamins – to keep everything running smoothly. If we ignore these needs, we risk breakdown, suffering from preventable illnesses, and loss of vitality.

Taking care of our bodies proactively can help us age gracefully and keep that engine purring for years. Remember, prevention is the best medicine, and the time to start is now.

So, we theoretically know all of this, but we are not willing to do anything until it’s sometimes too late. Let’s not wait for a health crisis to strike. Let’s start making those small changes right now to ensure a healthier, happier future.

We can make little changes day by day, adopt some daily rituals, exercise our brains, train our minds, and move our bodies.

First daily ritual – start your morning with water

Did you think that I meant a morning exercise? Well, if you like that, why not? Or shower? Here you go!

But I thought about something else: a glass of water first thing in the morning before you prepare your coffee, breakfast, or kids for school.

Water: cold, hot, or room temperature, with or without anything added (lemon, ginger, apple cider…, whatever your preferences. I like to add a few drops of lemon to make the water taste more pleasant, but that’s a personal choice.

I also prefer fresh spring water, but it’s not easy to get, and I can access it only when I’m at my dad’s cottage in the Slovak Oren Mountains.

The glass should be about 300ml (one and a half cups).

Simple glass of water, what does it do?

After 6-8 hours of sleep, the body is slightly dehydrated, especially when you sleep in a hot room or room with an AC on. So, hydrating it with water first thing in the morning allows the body to wake up and start preparing for consumption. It also helps the body to stay hydrated. After all, our body contains between 55% and 65% of water.

Water in our bodies

Each person has different levels of water in their body. Here are some essential trends to remember:

• Babies and children have a higher percentage of water in their bodies than adults. Newborns start with about 78% water, which drops to about 65% by the age of one year.
• Adult men’s bodies contain about 60% water, as fat tissue does not contain as much water as lean tissue.
• Women tend to have a lower percentage of water in their bodies than men, averaging around 55%.
• Individuals with more fatty tissue have a lower percentage of water in their bodies than those with less fatty tissue.

Source The Water in You: Water and the Human Body | U.S. Geological Survey (usgs.gov)

But do you know how drinking water affects your body and health?

When you drink water, it’s like giving your body a super boost! Water is essential for almost every function in our body. It helps regulate body temperature, cushions and protects organs, aids digestion, transports nutrients and oxygen to cells, and removes waste. When you don’t drink enough water, your body can become dehydrated. The effects of chronic dehydration reach down into the cells, which, like the organs, need enough water to function optimally and remove metabolic waste from the body.

Here are some of the most common signs of dehydration:

• Dark urine (The colour of your urine can indicate how much water your body needs. If it’s pale yellow, you’re likely drinking enough water; if it’s dark yellow, you may need to drink more water.)
• Passing small amounts of urine infrequently (less than three or four times a day)
• Feeling thirsty (if you’re thirsty, you’re already dehydrated)
• Bad breath
• Muscle cramps and fatigue: While various factors can contribute to muscle cramps, hydration is one of the most crucial elements often overlooked.
• Headaches
• Tiredness
• Dry mouth, lips and eyes
• Dizziness or light-headedness
• Elevated cravings for sweet, sugary foods (one of the ways dehydration can lead to weight gain) 

Source: Dehydration – NHS

Water for life

As you can see, lack of water can lead to various issues, such as fatigue, headaches, dry skin, constipation, dizziness, and even more severe complications like kidney stones or urinary tract infections. Your body needs water to function well, so it is vital to stay hydrated throughout the day by drinking adequate water.

We can help our body rehydrate not only with this little morning ritual but also by drinking a glass of water every 2-3 hours and before every meal.

Drinking water before meals can help control hunger and may prevent overeating.

What can we drink during the day if we don’t like water?

British people are well known for their love of tea. But is black or white tea enough for hydration? What about coffee?

There aren’t enough studies to support the thesis that caffeine drinks dehydrate us. But we know it’s better to drink a few cups of tea daily than not to drink anything. Caffeine could play a good or bad role in our health, but that’s a different topic we can’t and don’t want to discuss now.

Some healthy ideas for consuming fluids during the day:

• Spring water
• Kombucha
• Fruit/vegetable-infused water (add sliced cucumber, mint, ginger, watermelon, orange, kiwi, strawberries, etc.)
• Smoothies
• Herbal teas
• Fruit teas
• Chicory coffee
• Mineral water
• Soups (try GREEN VEGETABLE SOUP WITH CHEESE – Grandmazeal)
• Juicy fruit and vegetable

Other ideas:

• Yoghurt drink
• Coffee
• Milk
• Sparkling water
• Sport drinks

Embracing the power of hydration is undoubtedly a crucial step for lifelong health and vitality. Making small, consistent changes, such as starting your day with a glass of water, can nourish your body, boost your energy, and prevent many health issues.

Remember, your body is your most valuable asset; give it the care it deserves. Start today, stay hydrated, and experience the remarkable benefits of a well-hydrated life. Your journey to a healthier, happier you begins now.