Upping your water intake is a healthy habit that’s worth committing to. Here’s how the Everyday Health team keeps hydrated throughout the day.
When was the last time you took a sip of water? If you have trouble remembering, chances are you may not be hitting the daily recommendations from the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, which are about 13 cups for men and 9 for women. (These requirements may vary depending on your activity level, the weather, any health conditions, and other factors, per the Mayo Clinic.)
Drinking plenty of water is one of the simplest ways to keep your body and mind working at their best. Per Harvard Health Publishing, water helps carry nutrients and oxygen through cells, aid digestion and prevent constipation, stabilize the heartbeat and blood pressure, regulate body temperature, and maintain your body’s electrolyte balance.
And because water is so essential to these biological functions, your body is sure to notice if you’re not drinking enough of it. MedLine Plus notes that the symptoms of dehydration may include a dry or sticky-feeling mouth, dark yellow urine (or a less-frequent urge to urinate), dry skin, headaches, and muscle cramps. In more severe cases, dehydration can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, irritability, a rapid heartbeat and breathing rate, and even shock.
A meta-analysis published in November 2018 in Medicine & Science in Sports and Exercise also suggested that dehydration may affect cognitive function, making it more difficult to focus and coordinate tasks — and as employees at Everyday Health, staying focused on the latest health and wellness topics is a top priority.
So to help you pick up (and maintain) a healthy hydration habit, we’ve collected these top tips from our team. Read on to learn how we’ve learned to hit our hydration goals!