Taking into consideration that about 60% of your body is made out of water, it’s no surprise that water is necessary for every single cell and function that goes on inside of you. Water is even more vital to your body than food (and a lot of the healthiest foods on the planet are made mostly of water). The balance of water in our bodies is so important that even a reduction of just 10% can start to trigger serious, life-threatening malfunctions.
So, does it really come as any surprise to learn that one of the most common reasons for stubborn weight gain, digestive issues, and other chronic health problems is dehydration?
According to waterimportance.com, water is responsible for:
- Maintaining physical performance by helping the lungs perform better and improving the sweating rate to dissipate more heat.
- Increasing blood volume to pump oxygen and nutrients to your muscles to keep them active.
- Protecting the joints by providing lubrication to prevent damage during movement
- Speeding up weight loss by increasing insulin levels (so the body will store more fat)
- Maintaining the proper functions of the liver in kidneys so that fat can be processed properly and the blood can efficiently be purified.
- Increasing the amounts of essential amino acids needed to produce melatonin (low melatonin levels lead to insomnia)
But, what’s probably the most important thing to people reading this is: drinking more water will boost productivity. Cosmopolitan UK says, “A regular supply of water to your body helps your brain work at a better pace and helps you concentrate. Just as your car will go further with more fuel, your productivity levels will increase with more water.” Needless to say, you need to drink more water to stay happy and healthy! Here are a few ways to do just that!
1.) Fruit Infused Water – Brit & Co has a list of 20 delicious recipes so that never again can you use the “water is boring” excuse for consuming more!
2.) Drink Tea – I’m new to the tea craze, but I can see why every one loves it so much. Many teas are packed with an abundant amount of nutrients that help balance your body and keep you at your very best. Even tea with caffeine in it still has a hydrating effect as long as you don’t overdo it (consuming 500 or more milligrams of caffeine a day). Thin Tea recently sent me their 14 day detox program (thanks guys!) and it’s delicious! I’m not really in it for losing weight, but I will tell you I’ve had more energy from drinking it everyday and I definitely feel less bloated.
3.) Keep a Pitcher of Water at Your Desk – I love this tip from Melyssa at The Nectar Collective! She explains, “water is always at my fingertips. If you want to create better habits, make them 20 seconds easier to do. This way, I don’t have to walk to the kitchen and get a new glass. It’s always right there, ready for a refill.”
4.) Grab a Drink Mix – Plain water is great, but sometimes you just need some flavor. If you’re going to try this route, pick a drink mix that has extra benefits so that you aren’t just drinking sugar. I’m loving the New SLIMQUICK Pure Extra Strength Drink Mix, which contains natural ingredients like antioxidants, and Green Tea to help increase metabolism, reduce appetite, boost energy, reduce excess water, support hormones, and reduce stress. It tastes delicious, like fruit punch! Thanks BrandBacker for sending this my way! Click here to grab a coupon for $5 off! 
5.) Eat More Fruit – Fruits are an excellent source for water. Watermelon is 90% water, so it ranks highest on the list. Oranges, grapefruit, and melons like cantaloupe and honeydew are also strong contenders. (via WebMD)
6.) Take it With You – If you’ve ever seen me in person, you know I always have a water bottle or tumbler cup with me. Always always always take water with you when you leave the house. There’s a lot of great reasons for this: 1) you’re putting less waste into the environment, 2) you’ll have it all day to refill, and 3) there are so many pretty to-go cup options, think of it as a healthy accessory. =)
