The cornerstone of overall health is proper hydration. Without it, the systems in the body will not get the oxygen and nutrients needed to function properly. Here are some signs that your body is telling you to up your water intake.
1) You feel tired all the time.
When your body is properly hydrated, it ensures that the brain gets the blood and oxygen it needs for optimal function. Without this, you will feel tired all the time, even after a good night’s sleep. If you find that you constantly feel tired, try drinking more water.
2) You have a chronic headache.
Just like feeling tired all the time, having a chronic headache is a sign that your body just isn’t getting enough water. The headache means that your brain isn’t getting enough oxygen. This isn’t necessarily a sign of a serious health condition, it may just mean that you need to drink more water.
3) Your urine is always a dark yellow.
When urine is yellow, it means it’s been sitting in your body. When a person is properly hydrated, their urine will actually be a very pale yellow. If you are always peeing a dark yellow color, you should be drinking more water.
4) You have bad breath.
When your mouth is dry, it leads to bacteria growth, which leads to bad breath. When you’re properly hydrated, this bacteria is unable to form. If you notice that you’re always popping mints because your mouth feels dry and stale, it means you need to drink more water.
5) You have dry skin.
The water you drink eventually makes its way to the skin, keeping it properly moisturized. Without it, your skin will appear dry and ashy. If you find that you have dry skin, especially in your extremities, it’s likely a sign that you need to drink more water.
6) You have problems with digestion.
If you have heartburn, frequent constipation, and other digestive issues, it may be a sign that you’re dehydrated. Water keeps all of that running smoothly. Without it, your stool will become very hard and difficult to pass.
7) You have sudden, intense food cravings.
It’s very easy for our body to mistake thirst for hunger. That means those times throughout the day when you reach for a bag of chips, you may want to reach for a glass of water instead. The next time you’re suddenly extremely hungry, try drinking some water first to see if that satisfies your cravings.
8) You have general pain throughout the body.
Dehydration can cause physical problems like cramps and muscle pain because your body is not getting the nutrients it needs. Our muscles and joints are approximately 80 percent water, so we will feel pain if our joints begin rubbing together. Cramps may also be a result of a lack of electrolytes. More water can help with these pains.
9) You don’t sweat during workouts.
Sweat is your body’s attempt to regulate your core temperature. If you’re going all-out at the gym but don’t seem to be sweating, that means your body doesn’t have the water it needs to produce sweat. You should immediately begin drinking more water.
Tap water is generally safe to drink and is super inexpensive. In other words, drinking it is one of the easiest and most affordable things you can do to keep your body healthy. If you notice one of these issues is bothering you, it’s time to drink some water!
