We hear all the time how water is essential and to drink eight glasses every day. The human body is 60% water. Every cell in our body depends on water to function properly, including our brain cells. When the body is dehydrated, the brain does not function properly, which leads to cognitive problems.
When the brain is dehydrated, there is an increase in the activation of neurons when performing engaging tasks. This is an indication that the brain is working harder to complete the task at hand. In individuals with high cognitive reserve, like healthy young adults, dehydration manifests as moodiness and fatigue. However, in individuals with less cognitive reserve, like seniors, this can lead to an unfortunate decline in their cognitive ability.
Did you know that women of all ages are more impacted by dehydration? In young women, cognitive deficits that are caused by dehydration can be resolved by replenishing fluids. Unfortunately, this is not the same for senior women; prolonged dehydration contributes to cognitive deficits and brain pathology. As women gain age, their ability to store water declines because of the body’s ability to store water in muscle tissue. Hence why women may have a higher sensitivity to dehydration because of the lower percentage of muscle mass.
I am not saying men should not be drinking water! Again, the above information is not to reinforce men who have a piss poor dietary lifestyle, which is why they urinate acid. This information is to make it clear that self-care is the best care, ladies. Your temple needs to be nourished daily.
Dehydration can lead to moodiness, fatigue, and anxiety. Severe dehydration, which may become a medical emergency, can cause extreme irritability and confusion with the potential to lead to a fever. The “happy” chemical, or serotonin, is a neurotransmitter that leads to your feelings of well-being. When your body doesn’t have enough water, the chemical process in your brain can’t run smoothly, which leads to a decrease in your serotonin production.
One of my rituals every morning is to drink a glass of water after I wake up. I don’t sip. I drink the entire glass. Afterwards, I may drink a cup of tea as well. When drinking water, don’t babysit. It is best to drink the entire cup at once; this is why I prefer my water at room temperature only. When I visit restaurants, I typically order water, in addition to any beverage. The water is to quench my thirst and the beverage is for taste while eating my meal.
You may be dehydrated if you have/are:
Excessive Headaches
When your body is dehydrated, your brain may temporarily contract, which causes your brain to pull away from your skull. The pain from a dehydration migraine can be felt from the front, back, side, or all over the head. If you do not normally have headaches, try this quick technique: inhale for 4 seconds, exhale for 6 seconds, repeat 3x and drink a glass of water.
Constipation
Okay, this will be TMI! Now, that that’s out of the way, you should be relieving your bowels every day with EASE! In fact, you should relieve them more than once a day! Let’s be clear, it’s a healthy balance of diet and water intake that does this, but water does help to loosen your stool. Chug it NEEOOWWW!
Dark Urine/Infrequent Urination
If it is the color of this .gif, then Houston we have a problem. At no point should your urine be this color every day, all day. The average person urinates six to ten times a day. If you drink a lot of water, then it isn’t unusual to go more than ten times a day. If you notice that you’re going infrequently, then it is time to up your fluid intake.
Dehydrated Skin That Lacks Elasticity
Your skin is the largest organ on your body. Let’s be clear, there is a difference between dry skin and dehydrated skin. Dry skin is skin that is characterized by fewer oil producing glands in the body and face. Dehydrated skin is skin that has a lack of water. So, you can have dry, hydrated skin. I know it sounds like an oxymoron, but there are many different skin types. When I say dry skin in this blog post, I am referencing dehydrated skin. There isn’t any data that supports the belief that drinking water will immediately hydrate your skin. When you drink water, it instantly hydrates your cells and goes into your bloodstream. However, research does show that someone who has prolonged dehydration issues may lose skin elasticity. You need that elasticity for that youthful glow babe!
Thirsty And Hungry
The most obvious of them all: if you are always thirsty it is because your body needs water. The only fluid that can quench thirst is water. In fact, mild dehydration can mask itself as hunger. So, try drinking a glass of water, the whole glass, before every meal.
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The Brown Perfection 