Ha!! Gotcha! I bet you were expecting another edition of Wine & Wellness Wednesday…
Well, you got it, but I am feeling quirky and I retitled the post for this week. (I know, I know. “Feeling” is different from normal quirky how, exactly?)
It’s warm. Depending on your perspective, it’s starting to be downright hot. We’ve already seen 90 this year, and we’re looking for 90 again soon.
Heat, wind, and humidity are terrific dehydrators. I spend a fair amount of time outside as well as in very warm greenhouses. I drink a LOT of water. On some days, even though I feel like I’ve drunk too much, it still turns out to be not enough.
With those things in mind, I decided it was time to revisit my old friend, my water topic. I also thought of some things that I didn’t put in the original post.
Drinking water isn’t just important for your insides. It’s critical for your outsides, too! Without sufficient water, your skin can become more susceptible to damage and wrinkling. (And don’t forget sunscreen! But that’s a topic for another day.) Water lubricates joints, regulates body temperature, and supports all critical bodily functions.
Do you feel like you drink enough water? There are apps you can use to keep track and to remind you to have a good guzzle. One that I like using is the Drink Water Aquarium. You can set your own goals and gamify drinking water by adding fish & scenery to a virtual aquarium. (No fish food necessary!)
What’s that you say? You don’t like the taste of water? Get a filter pitcher or bottle. Try a filter bottle that lets you add your own fruit or vegetables to flavor the water. Try a product such as Hint water; they have multiple flavor options. Put your filter pitcher in the fridge if you like it cold. (I don’t, but that’s me!) Try sparkling water. But have a drink of water! (Preferably, more than one!)
Cheers! Here’s to your health!
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Water! Let’s talk about water. This is becoming one of my very favorite things. :) I’m one of those people who (mostly) likes the taste of water, and it’s one of my favorite beverages. (Although there is definitely some tap water that needs help. Lots of filtering. And lots of lemons.)
I’ve started asking for water with no ice and a few slices of lemon in it when I’m at a restaurant. Think about it: if you drink ice cold water with your meal, you’re chilling down the digestive fire and interfering with your body’s ability to process your meal (according to Ayurvedic medicine). Also, the lemon in your water will help you digest your food better.
There is, again, a fair amount of conflicting information on how much water a person should drink. Eight ounces per 10 pounds of body weight, or eight glasses that are 8 ounces each, or 10 ounce for each 15 pounds of body weight or or…Argh! What to do?
You’ll figure out what’s right for you. Definitely drink when you’re thirsty, and, in hot weather, drink before you’re thirsty. If you feel like having a snack, but maybe it’s not really hunger, you can figure it out by having a glass of water first. Or if you’re bored and feel like eating (or angry, or upset), try having a drink of water first.
One other thing about consuming water that I think is important to mention. In my last Wine & Wellness Wednesday post, I pointed out that if you’re not a wine drinker, you don’t need to start. Well, if you’re not a water drinker, you totally need to start! Water makes up a considerable part of the human body and it’s critical to your health to drink it!
Also! I’ve grown to love having a cold water end to my shower. The cold water chases blood away from the skin, back into the body where it circulates better and supports digestion better, and it helps me cool off after a hot shower. (Although occasionally I’ve gotten the shower too cold and the…we’ll say squeaks…have agitated our dogs!)
Cheers! Here’s to your health!
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