Catherine's Corner
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.
It's a part of what we know, what we preach, and what we still seem ambivalent about. While we grew up hearing that we were suppose to drink eight glasses of water a day, many of us only got on the hydration bandwagon in the last few years. I recently had an incident where I became dehydrated and had a major dizzy spell—lasted for a couple of hours. It scared me. I called a friend to have her spot for me; slowly started drinking water, gradually re-hydrated and felt better in the morning. Been walking and hydrating ever since. SOO I'm testifyin' in the trust that you will be motivated to keep hydrated always; not just mostly...
Did you know that years of subtle dehydration can lessen your sensitivity to thirst? Once you start hydrating, you may find that you are thirstier. Keep quenching your thirst and soon you will know that when you are thirsty, you need water. Also, if you seem to always be in the bathroom urinating: RELAX. Soon your body will come into balance & use that extra water. By the way, are you still doing your Kegels? Of course you remember: the pelvic floor exercises. Yes, those! (Will review the how & whys for doing Kegels in an upcoming corner.)
How much should I drink everyday?
Here's a handy guideline that I picked up the from a local Water Street Station:
Drink half of your body weight in fluid ounces every day. If you are 200 lbs, drink 100 fluid ozs. Therefore 64 ozs, the traditional eight glasses, might be just right if you weigh 128 lbs.
Here's another rule of thumb: for every cup or glass of coffee, caffeine tea or alcoholic beverage, have one glass of water. (DON'T shoot the messenger)! And when you do exercise, or when you garden and sweat—yes, ladies do sweat—replenish with water. For every hour of exercise, we need to replenish with 8ozs. of water
Our bodies are approximately 75% water—just like Mother Earth—IMAGINE THAT! Therefore we need to replenish and keep our bodies supplied with water daily. Here are a few ways that our 'vehicles for life' (bodies) use water.
Water is the medium where every chemical reaction occurs. Taking new supplements or medications? Drink plenty of water to help absorb the nutrients or meds more efficiently.
Water:
- Supports nutrient delivery which nourishes cells
- Flushes the body of wastes and toxins
- Helps lubricate our joints for longer ache free & pain free use
- Supplies the vertebral discs with lubrication too
- Refreshes brain cells for mental clarity
- Acts as a natural anti-histamine: dehydration stimulates histamine production
- Cools our bodies and moisturizes our largest organ—our skin
Even when we are under stress, or in emotional turmoil, water helps in the healing process. Drinking a glass of water when upset has a calming effect. Our immune systems need water to stay in balance and to keep all the chemical reactions occurring as needed.
Symptoms of Chronic Dehydration
- Headaches
- Poor elimination
- Sleeplessness / Restlessness
- Constantly hungry / snacking
- Stuffy head / blocked sinuses
- Dry skin (loss of elasticity)
- Red eyes
In conclusion, drinking more water is not a panacea, rather it is part of a healthier, more active lifestyle. Here's to your health.
Growing older and feeling kind of put out by it?
Join me in very small groups (3-5) in the Aging Well classes. Remember taking care is a gift to ourselves and to those we love. We have fun taunting & laughing at getting older, and tapping into our own inner wisdom to life's gift of aging!?!! The classes are fun, held monthly in homes or at the office, 4641 N First Ave, Suite 2. The next class is coming up soon. Call me at 622-2162 to register. Invite a friend & spend a lovely afternoon reflecting, creating, and being very good to yourself.
In highest regard,
Catherine