It’s December and it’s sure not
100 degrees anymore. The heat from the summer months had us withering away and thirsty 24/7. This was both good and a bad thing. “Bad” because the heat and humidity of South Carolina’s summers are a harsh combination, especially for us who aren’t used to the Southern summers. “Good” because this kind of climate forces us to drink water, keeping our bodies cool and regulated. But once the heat turns tepid and the summer slides into autumn, then winter, many of us forget to drink. Or forget to drink as much as our bodies need, leading us back to “bad.”
First things first, a few facts on the makeup of the human body. Our bodies are composed of 60-65% water, our brains are 70% and our lungs are almost 90% water. Now that’s a lot of water in just one person! In order to keep our bodies in balance, the intake of water is essential. You know what they say, you can live three weeks without food, but only three days without water. Water is key!
So what does water really do? It…
- Absorbs shock for the brain and spinal cord. Water’s also needed by the brain to make hormones and neurotransmitters.
- Lubricates joints and muscles.
- Removes waste from the body by urination and bowel movements.
- Regulates body temperature to a perfect 98.6. This is done by sweating and respiration.
- Helps the digestion process by forming saliva.
- Moistens mucous membranes.
- Assists the growth, development, and reproduction of the body’s cells.
Now that’s quite the list! Without proper hydration, one may experience cramping, headaches, tachycardia (speeding heart rate), dizziness, blurry eyesight, confusion, agitation, lack of coordination, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, coma, even death.
So how much water do we need to consume?
A good rule of thumb is divide your weight (in lbs) by 2. This equals the amount of water in ounces you should consume in a day. Other influences are physical activity, exercise and the heat — obviously, these factors require more fluid intake. So the best way to determine proper hydration is keeping an eye on your urine. Anything darker than pale yellow means you need to drink more. And don’t feel stifled by lack of variety. These 8 glasses not only consist of water, but also juice, tea, even coffee. So, go crazy with the kombucha.
What next?
Now that you’ve got the fluid intake down pat, could your body be craving whole body balance as well? Absolute Wellness Center can help — chiropractic adjustments for spine alignment, massage for muscular care, nutritional counseling for vitamin and mineral supplementation, and acupuncture for energy balance. Stop in or give us a call. We’ll help you make your way to better, balanced health.
