How Much Water Should I Drink?

Water makes up 60% of the body and is a great place to start on a wellness journey.

• Have joint pain? Try drinking some water. The cartilage that cushions and lubricates your joints is about 80% water
• Have brain fog? Try drinking some water. Water is used in the production of hormones and neurotransmitters that fuel the brain!
• Experiencing chronic pain? Try drinking some water. The blood is made up of 90% water. Your kidneys and liver use water to flush toxic waste from your body. Decreased toxic burden = decreased inflammation = decreased pain.
• Trying to curb those cravings? Try drinking some water. Cells need oxygen (provided from the blood). When they are "starving" they crave glucose (sugar)
• I challenge you this week to drink AT LEAST half your body weight (lbs) in ounces of water each day. 

Drinking water should be a part of your physical wellness every day because that is where it all starts. It's all at the cellular level. If we are not feeling good and our bodies aren't functioning the way that they are intended to at the cellular level, then we are going to have a hard time tapping into the other areas of wellness and being our best self. It's really hard to tap into intellectual wellness when you have "brain fog." Or emotional wellness when you are "hangry" or not feeling well. Social wellness, when you don't feel like hanging out with people or making social connections because you don't feel good inside. 

The great thing about water is that drinking water will automatically help you achieve other goals. When we are talking about physical wellness this includes nutrition, sleep and physical activity. People ask me "don't you go to the bathroom all the time?" Yes, yes I do. But it makes me get up and walk around so instead of looking at the negative of I'm going to have to go to the bathroom all the time, I'm looking at it as my body is being flushed of toxins. That's what water does. That's what the kidneys and liver do. You go to the bathroom and that's what your body is doing, your body is releasing toxins and cleaning itself out. It's a self-sustaining system. 

Drinking water will decrease cravings. The body is made up of 60% water and the blood is made up of 90% water. Water is what moved the blood through the body, keeps it not too viscous. When you are drinking water, the blood is taking nutrients to the cells. When you are dehydrated, the body says my cells are starving, give me sugar. So if you want to decrease cravings drink your water! It also gives you a feeling of fullness so you don't feel so hungry. That has helped me space out my eating a little more throughout the day. I don't have a feeling of hunger because I'm full of water. 

The other thing is the discs and the cartilage between the joints is made up of 80% water. If you are someone who can't get up and get moving because of joint pain, water can help lubricate those joints and decrease your pain. Again, it's a self-sustaining system. We just have to give it what it needs. 

People have asked me "how much water do I drink?" Start with half your body weight in ounces. Just start. If you are a more active person that works out regularly and sweats a lot throughout the day, you may want to try and drink your entire body weight in ounces. A lot of people ask me where I get my jug and I tell them Amazon. This is the water bottle I use.

You don't have to buy anything though. Get a glass that you know how many ounces it is and know that you need to drink 10 of those today. That's my challenge to you: drink your water. Half your body weight in ounces. If you are an active person, your full body weight. When I am drinking my water, my skin is so much better. I sleep better. I don't have cravings. I have more energy. I don't get brain fog in the middle of the day. Water helps create hormones and neurotransmitters, so if you get brain fog and by the middle of the day you are just done, drink water! See how it helps you out!

If you'd like to learn more about healthy habits and tips and tricks you can find me on Facebook. I have a private group called Traction Wellness Warriors where I give FREE advice on living your best life!