Water Is Life
The Importance of Water
If you follow me on social media, you’ll already know that Ive been doing a bit of research into water. Definitely not done with the process yet, but thought I’d share a little of what are considered ‘the basics,’ along with a few links to some of the research that I’ve found interesting. Im also two thirds of the way through a 3 week electrolysed water trial too.
So here goes;
I think we are all pretty clear on the fact that water , like oxygen, is an essential element for life, and that its impact on the human body really can’t be overstated. In this blog post, we will delve into the crucial role that water plays in the body and the far-reaching impacts of proper hydration.
The Importance of Hydration
Water is the primary component of the human body, constituting about 60% of an adult's body weight. Every system in the body relies on water to function properly, making it vital for overall health and well-being. From regulating body temperature to aiding in digestion and nutrient absorption, the roles of water are diverse and essential.
Impact on Physical Performance
For the sporty types, and those who do heavy manual labour, maintaining proper hydration levels is particularly crucial. Dehydration can lead to reduced physical performance, as it impairs endurance, strength, and coordination. When the body is deprived of an adequate amount of water, exercise becomes more challenging, and the risk of heat-related illnesses increases. Therefore, staying well-hydrated is fundamental for anyone looking to optimise their physical performance and recovery, as well as staying safe on the job.
Thoughts and Mood
Beyond its physical impact, water also plays a significant role in cognitive function and mood. Research has shown that even mild dehydration can impair your capacity to think clearly, so things like paying attention, your memory or capacity to recall and process information as well as your mood can be affected. And FYI, headaches, fatigue, and irritability are common symptoms of dehydration, so if you have crabby people in your house, get them drinking more water!
In the clinic I nearly always give my clients a glass of water, and have extra water handy - especially if we are doing certain kinds of change work processes. Experience has shown me that when people are dehydrated, they don’t get the psychological and behavioural shifts as quickly. So, a quick heads up if you are thinking of coming in for some change work, in the days before your appointment, drink heaps of water to get a bigger bang for your buck. Sounds crazy right? But surprisingly , it’s a thing.
Weight Management and Digestive Health
In the realm of weight management and digestive health, water also holds considerable influence. Drinking water before meals can promote a feeling of fullness, so as long as your ‘ stop button ‘ is working, water will reduce the need to consume larger portions of food. Also, having enough water helps your digestive system to work properly, helping to prevent issues like constipation so that your system is clean and clear. - ie: no poisoning due to backed up or slow moving waste in your system.
Maintaining Fluid Balance and Body Temperature
Another critical function of water in the body is maintaining the fluid balance so that the correct body temperature can be maintained. Among other things, this ensures that the organs can function at optimal levels and that the body can maintain a strong immune system, all of which are essential to good health and general wellbeing.
Tips for Staying Hydrated
Given the vital role of water in the body, it's essential to make hydration essential! (That’s right, I said it twice - because it REALLY IS essential.) We all know we need to aim for 8 glasses of water each day as the absolute minimum , so here are some practical tips for getting that done;
If you are at home during the day, line up 8 glasses of water and be sure to drink them all - preferably by 4pm.
Drink at least 2 glasses of water first thing in the morning - don’t let yourself have a cuppa until you do.
Carry a reusable water bottle to make it easier to stay hydrated while on the go (yes let’s be green about it). If you make it a 500ml bottle you know you are half way there if you have your two morning glasses and this. Get it done by lunch.
Links
In terms of some of the interesting links that were mentioned earlier, Ive been reading the thesis of a lady by the name of Jennifer Luke, which was done at the University of Surrey in the UK. She looked at the impact of fluoride in water on gerbils. One of her comments in conclusion went something like this “… in conclusion the results from this study show for the first time that the human pineal gland (and of course I’m thinking third eye, or Ajna Centre here) hold the highest levels of fluoride out of all soft tissues. Therefore the pineal may be a hitherto unrealised target for chronic fluoride toxicity.” Interesting right?
Some of you may know that my Mum has both Rheumatoid and Osteo-arthritis, and has done for many years. It’s pretty awful. So I found the results of this Pilot study which shows that water that is high in hydrogen reduces oxidative stress and disease activity on rheumatoid arthritis pretty darn interesting. It’s moving me down that particular rabbit hole now. Cancer, diabetes, parkinson’s disease, PCOS and other conditions all seem to be affected positively with this electrolysed water. More on that as I go deeper. Very tempted to get myself one of the machines that do this to the water. It’s definitely on my list. Oh yeah, and here’s a bit more info where they talk about ‘conscious water.’
Conclusion
So! Water is fundamental to the proper functioning of the human body, impacting everything from physical capacity, to the ability to think. By recognizing the importance of hydration and making a conscious effort to maintain adequate fluid intake, you can simply and easily support your overall health and wellbeing on every level. In essence, water is life - and we all want the best of both of those. Right?