Hydration and Happiness
Do you have nagging muscle aches, joint pain, headaches, the afternoon energy crash, unhealthy food cravings, mood swings, feel foggy headed and have low energy? What if I told you that making sure you are adequately hydrated will ease your chronic aches and pains, reduce your chance of soft-tissue injuries as well as alleviate the symptoms listed above. Water is the most abundant substance in our bodies and the simple solution to feeling great!
Water makes up:
- 75% of our brains
- 90% of our lungs
- 83% of our blood & 98% of blood plasma
You may be thinking, what does hydration have to do with my muscle pains? Hydration is one of the most overlooked variables when it comes to causes chronic fascial pain and stiffness. The water in our muscles and fascia functions as a lubricant allowing soft-tissue structures to slide smoothly without adhering to each other. When we are dehydrated, our body must prioritize it’s water supply and in doing so, draws water from our tissues to supply our vital organs. The result is stiff, less elastic tissues that can easily snag on each other during movement. The undesirable consequence of this can be increased likelihood of strains, cramps and the development of trigger points.
Water is a vital ingredient in the chemical reactions that are required to restore fascia following physical strain and allow for healthy renewal as we age.
Bodily functions water is vital for:
- Digestion
- Circulation
- Excretion
- Is a building material for growth & repair of the body
- Carries nutrients to all vital body substances
How Much Water Should You Drink?
An easy and effective rule for how much water to drink is to consume at minimum ½ your bodyweight in ounces of water everyday.
For example, a 200 lb man should consume at least 100 ounces of water over the course of the day.
Soda, coffee and alcohol DO NOT count towards your daily hydration requirements.
This should be considered a minimum for someone NOT participating in intense exercise. So if you are working out or competing in a sport, you should be hydrating more.
It’s important to remember that once you feel thirsty, many of the systems in your body are already being starved of their water supply. In fact, your muscles and tendons are some of the first structures to dry up when you are dehydrated.
Your best bet is to get ahead by making a habit of drinking 1 or 2 BIG glasses of water first thing in the morning. This will give you a jumpstart on your daily hydration requirement.
So what are you waiting for?!? DRINK UP!!!