Written by Carolyn Wellington
How important is water in our lives?
Water is often known as an anti-aging remedy because it helps to remove toxins and cleanses.
It is common knowledge that water is beneficial to our health, mind, body and skin. Ageing is a part of life, it happens to us all, so what can we do to help ourselves and look after our bodies and skin, the way we are supposed to and age looking the best we can be.
The body is approximately 70% water, and water is essential for the body to function correctly. Water is needed for almost every human process. Let us look at the importance of water and how we can help ourselves. Taking care of what is happening inside your body, results in a beautiful healthy glow on the outside.
Dehydration
What happens to the body when you do not drink enough water? It dehydrates quickly.
Some of the first signs of dehydration are:
- Thirst
- Dry mouth, lips, eyes
- Headache, feeling dizzy or lightheaded.
- Tiredness
- Dark urine (pee)
Some of the problems caused by dehydration are:
- Muscle cramps
- Kidney problems
- Constipation
- Premature ageing – skin lacking elasticity
- Bad breath
- Fatigue
- Lack of self-care
Hydration
So, what are the benefits of keeping yourself hydrated?
- Helps to reduce fatigue.
- Aids in weight management.
- Assists the immune system to function more efficiently.
- Gets rid of toxins and helps cleanse the body.
- Staying hydrated can help prevent cramps. It has shown that hydrating with water alone after exercise is merely not enough. Rehydrate after exercise, with a drink containing electrolytes to help prevent muscle cramps.
- Plumps up the skin making it look smoother.
- Can help manage joint pain.
- Keeping the brain hydrated allows it to function more efficiently.
Talk to your doctor or health professional about the causes of dehydration and the benefits of keeping hydrated.
From these few basic well-known facts, staying hydrated is necessary for overall health and wellbeing. Keeping hydrated helps to maintain adequate blood volume allowing nutrients within the blood to move around the body. For true beauty and good health, water is one of the main elements in any health and beauty regime. Water is not only essential for the inner organs, digestive and circulatory system to function correctly. It is crucial for the health and beauty of the largest organ, the skin.
Your Skin and Water
Questions I am repeatedly asked, ‘at the age of 60, what is your secret to clear skin, and why do you not have any facial lines or wrinkles?’
Well here goes, there are no secrets, except discipline in taking care of my general health and wellbeing. One of the main things I do is make sure I drink plenty of water throughout the day. Always having a glass of water with me has become one of my trademarks when I do my daily live video chats on my Facebook group The Perfect Balance Health & Lifestyle Community.
When the skin becomes dehydrated, it becomes vulnerable and prone to the signs of ageing. Extreme heat can also lead to excessive sweating, causing dehydration and skin damage. The more hydrated the skin, the more moisture it holds improving skin tone with fewer wrinkles and facial lines.
The benefits of drinking water for your skin are:
- Removes toxins from the blood, helping the skin to glow.
- Helps the skin to maintain moisture.
- Plumps up the skin, helping prevent fine lines and wrinkles.
The body loses water every day through breathing, sweating, the passing of urine and faeces. Water is needed for whole body appearance and cleansing, not just for facial appearance. Overall, water helps keep you fresh, clean, healthy and have beautiful looking skin.
Another question repeatedly asked, ‘does drinking lots of water help remove cellulite?’
Cellulite is defined as persistent subcutaneous fat, causing dimpling of the skin, especially on women’s hips and thighs, making women feel very self-conscious about their appearance. There are a vast range of creams, treatments and therapies out there in the beauty market, but water is a natural cleanser, excellent for flushing out toxins and should be number one on your list.
Results may take time, like anything perseverance and consistency are essential, along with a healthy balanced nutritional diet and regular exercise. Health experts as a guideline, recommend about 2 litres of water a day. Fruit and vegetables also contain a high level of water, helping you look and feel better.
Your Moods and Water
Oh, the mood swings! Can water help?
Dehydration brings tiredness, fatigue and lingering headaches. When suffering from these symptoms, you may become irritable, short-tempered and lack patience. It is essential to increase your water intake, get plenty of sleep and prioritise your needs. Taking time for you will help improve your moods.
Water and Your General Health and Wellbeing
As shown, water has many benefits, helping maintain a perfect balance. Again, here some of the benefits of water:
- Improves memory and thought performance.
- Enhances your exercise workout, helping to increase blood flow.
- Cold water therapy, combined with a stretch and recovery program, is used by many athletes, celebrities and trainers, to assist with muscles soreness, strains, sprains and swellings.
- Studies show drinking two glasses of water, 30 minutes before a meal can help reduce your calorie intake and hunger. Many times, we think we are hungry when we are thirsty. So before reaching for the biscuit tin or that snack, you think you are craving, ask yourself how much water you have drunk today.
Carolyn’s Tips
Do we all agree water plays a big part in our lives?
Here are a few tips that I use daily:
- On waking, start with two, glasses of water (the water should be room temperature) do not shock the body by drinking ice cold water or drinking it fast. The water naturally stimulates the bowels and gives the body a good kickstart.
- Instead of coffee at breakfast, have a cup of warm water with a slice of lemon, good for cleansing and aids digestion.
- Always has a glass of water or bottle with you at work, in the car, in the kitchen and drink it throughout the day and keep topping it up (never allow your glass or bottle to be empty)
- Reduce your caffeine intake, replace it with a nice glass of water.
- Reduce your sugary drinks with water and a slice of fruit to give it a little flavour!
- Set an hourly alarm to ensure you drink regularly throughout the day.
- Always have a glass/bottle of water by your bedside.
Starting today, increase your water intake. Carry a bottle of water with you, make sure you drink it throughout the day. Leave me a reply below with an update of how you are getting on.
Focus on what you want to achieve and remain consistent. Stay hydrated your future self will thank you.
For more information on Carolyn Wellington, visit her platforms:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/carolynwellington_28
Facebook: www.facebook.com/theperfectbala1
Twitter: www.twitter.com/carolyn_282
Website: www.theperfectbalancecompany.com
I find this article very interesting and informative and there was certainly things in there i didn’t know. So I think I will be starting to do the warm water with lemon. This article is very beneficial for everyone.
So true and very beneficial for our body. This so interesting. I been drinking warm water first thing after I woke up and it helps with my BM in the morning. I also have a glass of water before breakfast, sometimes with lemon and it work well for me. I hope others read and digest this article. From 1 to 10. It’s a 10+ for me. Thank you Carolyn.
This article was a great read and there were some great facts that will alway stay with me. I started upping my water intake at the beginning of this month. I don’t feel so bloated since upping my water intake and feel like my energy levels have started to go up which is great.
Great article on such a simple but important topic!
I will definitely be improving my water intake going forward. Thank you Carolyn!
Always useful to be reminded how essentially it is to remain hydrated, thanks Carolyn M
Good article on water! In the winter I tend to drink less water, In the past weeks, I’ve walked an average of 3-4 miles per day and did not carry my water bottle with me, only to have cramps later in the evening. Thank you for this most important reminder.