Any time someone asks me how much water they should be drinking my answer is,
“Aim for half your body weight in ounces every day.”
For example, if you weigh 150 lbs, you should be drinking 75 oz. of water per day. This may seem like a lot to some of you, but I’m hoping when you read all the benefits of hydration below you will think that it’s worth it! After all, it’s pretty easy, free, and it’s a great place to start if you’re seeking better health and wellbeing.
Just check out all of these incredible hydration benefits:
1. Water can help reduce hunger by filling you up if consumed prior to meals. So if you are looking to lose weight, water could seriously help!
2. Water can help the digestive system function properly and boost your metabolism. Studies have shown that drinking two 8-ounce glasses of cold water will increase metabolic rate by 30% for 90 minutes! Again, great for weight loss, and also important if you are needing to “go” more regularly! *If you are having issues with constipation, and simply hydrating to half your body weight in ounces isn’t cutting it, you may benefit from a magnesium supplement like this one: Rasberry-Lemon CALM powder. I recommend taking it at night because it relaxes the body and mind… as well as the bowels! Finding the right balance for you can be tricky so start small and work your way up!
3. Water keeps skin looking fresh and vibrant. Water moisturizes your skin, keeps it fresh, soft, glowing and smooth. It is a great, FREE, anti-aging treatment.
4. Water increases energy and reduces fatigue. Try drinking a glass of water when you are feeling tired before resorting to coffee or sugary caffeinated sodas, and see how you feel! Also, if you are struggling with fatigue (Shout-out to my fellow new mamas here!) and looking to get off the coffee, I love this adaptogenic Rasa Cocoa!
5. Staying properly hydrated can help you focus, concentrate better, and be more alert. Whaaaat!? Another trick you can try is adding Peppermint Vitality Oil to your water for a boost of energy and mental clarity! (I always recommend adding the oil to a solvent like honey or a pinch of high quality salt before adding the water so the oil actually dissipates in the water and doesn’t just float on top!)
6. Water can help reduce the frequency and severity of headaches. It’s possible that your headaches could simply be your body’s way of telling you that you are dehydrated. (That peppermint trick helps with this too!)
7. Water can help reduce joint pain and muscle cramping. Water is truly powerful stuff! Try adding a mineral supplement like Young Living’s Aminowise or Alkalime for added benefits of electrolyte balance if you are struggling with this.
6. Water facilitates the removal of metabolic waste via the lymphatic system. The lymph system is like the garbage disposal system for the body. By drinking water you are helping it flow freely and filter properly. I always imagine a dehydrated lymph system like it’s trying to filter through thick sludge!
Even knowing all this, I still find it challenging to stop and drink throughout the day. Here are some of the tips and tricks I use to boost/track my water intake:
1. Purchase a reusable water bottle. I prefer drinking from glass (like this stunning rose quartz one!) or stainless steel (This Swell bottle is my favorite!) due to the reduced consumption of plastic leaching into my water. Studies have found that plastics are endocrine disrupters (more here). Your water bottle becomes your visual cue to drink more, and you are more likely to refill it when it is empty.
2. Track your water intake. Some people are great at writing things down, but that’s not me. To track my intake, each morning I fill a glass pitcher that holds 75 oz with water. Then I pour from that pitcher to my drinking glass or water bottle throughout the day to make sure that by the end of the day, I drank enough. (Some days I am chugging water after dinner because I didn’t do the best job keeping up throughout the day!)
2. Drink water with every meal. If you are hydrated, your body will produce sufficient saliva, which helps break down food into nutrients that your body can easily absorb.
3. Prevent boredom and switch things up! Infuse your water with flavor by adding fruit, mint, or try Young Living’s Vitality Drops.
Connect with me, Dr. Jen, about getting started with Young Living products and let me help you create #WavesOfChange in your life by starting with one healthy habit at a time!
*I only recommend products I personally know and love. But in the spirit of full transparency, this post does contain amazon affiliate links. This means, if you purchase via the link provided, I will get a small kickback for recommending the product- at no additional cost to you.
