Imagine being rushed out of the door in the morning, and you forgot your water bottle. Throughout the day, you feel anxious and tired. You think to yourself, Why do I feel so tired? Many people don’t realize just how important staying hydrated is. A lot of people underestimate the amount of water your body should intake. Experts recommend drinking about eight glasses of water a day, but most people fall short of that goal. Studies have shown that 75% of Americans are dehydrated during the day. Not drinking enough water is the fastest way to anxiety and unhealthy habits.
A lot of people do not understand how being dehydrated can affect you. When they feel tired and anxious, they never think about drinking water to alleviate distress. “When you aren’t drinking enough water, production of the stress hormone cortisol increases. In response, happy hormone production declines. Suddenly, you’re short on feel-good neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine and oxytocin. That hormonal imbalance can make you irritable, sad, exhausted and more”(Cleveland Clinic). This proves that being irritable and exhausted throughout the day is directly correlated with being dehydrated and not drinking enough water. This means that if you are ever feeling stressed or tired during the day, pick up some water and start drinking it to help you feel better.
Not drinking enough water can also lead to many other issues in your body. Since your body is 60% water, you need to drink water to replenish it and keep it balanced. Studies show that not drinking water for a long period of time or constantly being dehydrated can lead to health issues. “Not drinking enough water can lead to a buildup of waste products in the urine, increasing the risk of kidney stones. Dying from kidney stones is possible. Also, not drinking enough water can lead to Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) can lead to sepsis which spreads to your kidneys and bloodstream and you can die from it” (Cleveland Clinic). This proves that being dehydrated for a long period of time can cause deathly diseases and long term health issues.
To stay hydrated throughout the day, you should invest in a refillable water bottle to carry with you wherever you go. Also make sure that every morning, after you wake up, start hydrating right away. Continuing to hydrate every morning will create good habits and it will start becoming a part of your routine. If you ever see someone stressing out or tired, tell them to drink some water. This will help spread awareness and help other people out who might just need a simple glass of water.
