Our bodies are composed of mostly water. To be precise, water accounts for between 55-77% of the human body, varying slightly with age. This would suggest that water intake is critical to a well-functioning body. With temperatures rising and more outdoor activities taking place, it’s more important than ever to remember to stay well hydrated throughout the day.
Hydration affects all sorts of things, from the way your skin looks, to how your body digests food, to how you feel each day. Without proper hydration, your body simply can’t function the way it is supposed to. During treatment and recovery, it is incredibly important to be feeling your best, day in and day out, to help you stay on track and encourage you to make good, healthy decisions. Your focus and motivation can be significantly impacted if you aren’t feeling well, so it’s imperative that you keep track of how much water you are drinking and take steps to ensure you are consuming the proper amounts for your body.
Getting Enough Water
It turns out that the recommended eight to ten glasses of water per day was a far too generalized rule – one that has been countered many times. It’s important to consider your specific body composition, weight, height, activity level, and more when you consider how much water you should actually be drinking per day. Foods high in water content, such as fruits and vegetables, can also be taken into consideration when assessing your intake.
Ways of tracking your water intake can vary, but perhaps one of the simplest ways of ensuring you are drinking enough water throughout the day is by having a reusable water bottle accessible at all times. Not only is this environmentally friendly, but it also makes tracking exactly how many ounces you drink per day much simpler. For example, if you determine that you need one gallon of water per day, and you have a water bottle that holds 38 ounces, you know that you need to fill it up four times and consume four full bottles each day to get the proper amount for your body.
If you aren’t a fan of the reusable bottle trend, no worries! Plastic (disposable) water bottles clearly state the number of ounces of water contained in each, which can also be helpful for keeping track of your intake. Ultimately, though, having water easily accessible in some way throughout the day can help set you up for success. Often, if water is not as readily available, it can be easy to choose unhealthy beverages such as soda or juice. While these are acceptable to consume in moderation, water is imperative and should remain your primary beverage of choice throughout the day.
Feeling Your Best
How does water affect the way you feel? Water is essential for life and affects the way you feel mentally and physically. It can also impact the way you look. For instance, water has a huge impact on the way your body digests food. Not enough water equals poor digestion. Poor digestion equals feeling lousy and potentially looking bloated and uncomfortable. Hydration can also have an effect on the way you feel mentally. A lack of hydration can result in feeling lethargic, distracted, and less focused – not to mention, headaches! Dehydration commonly leads to a variety of symptoms which, in turn, inhibit your ability to function.
If you are someone who enjoys being somewhat physically active, particularly in the warmer months, it’s even more important to ensure you are getting proper hydration each day. During challenging athletic events, it is not uncommon for athletes to lose 6-10% of body weight in sweat loss, thus leading to dehydration if fluids have not been replenished.
While you may not consider yourself to be an athlete engaging in challenging events often, this is still a notable statistic and can be applicable in some types of moderate exercise. Physical activity and proper water intake can be an excellent concoction for good health. Furthermore, there are many benefits to consistent exercise and physical activity during treatment and recovery. Engaging in exercise or any sort of physical activity without the proper hydration, however, can result in harm. If you are planning for an outdoor stroll between groups or hitting the gym for some CrossFit or weightlifting today after your last meeting, be sure to bring some water along.
As you know, feeling your best throughout treatment and recovery is incredibly important. If you aren’t feeling well, chances are, you will not make the most of your day. Making the most of each day, especially during treatment, is crucial. Don’t let something as simple as a lack of hydration impact your success. Make it a priority to have water readily available throughout your day and hold yourself accountable for achieving your daily intake goals.
Proper hydration is very important to overall health. Improper water intake can leave you feeling lethargic, bloated, and unmotivated. With temperatures rising, it is more important than ever to remain well hydrated to take good care of yourself. During treatment and recovery, it is critical to ensure you are feeling your best so you can do your best. At Renaissance Ranch, we enjoy incorporating outdoor activities and recreational-based therapy throughout every season. We focus on treating the whole person through our various programs and encourage physical activity and wellness. We create a tailored plan to address your needs and accommodate your interests. Let us help you achieve your goals and support you on your journey to recovery. If you or someone you care about is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, call Renaissance Ranch today at (801) 308-8898 to learn how we can help.