I’m Cranky & Sluggish…

I’m Cranky & Sluggish…

Are you thirsty?

I have a history of chronically forgetting to drink water during the day and to be honest I never realized it’s impact until I started staying on top of it.

Sneaky signs of dehydration:

Skin dryness and poor elasticity: Lotion is not the only answer, in fact if you are dehydrated repetitive use of lotion is almost a moot point and the effects do not last as long. An easy test… your skin looks visibly cracky or pinching your skin (nicely) and it does not spring back into place.

Mood: If you are tired, cranky, moody or get chronic headaches you may be dehydrated. As the body gets dehydrated, the heart has to work harder to pump blood through the vessels, aka overload, which effects all other parts of the body/your day.

Sunken Eyes: Sleep may not be the issue – dehydration could be the cause for those dark circles under your eyes.

The Munchies: Dehydration can often be confused with the munchies which can lead to weight gain. So are you hungry or thirsty? Keeping an eye on your food intake and is an easy way to tell whether or not you should be hungry when the munchies attack.

With all of that in mind doctors will tell you that you should be getting at least 64oz a day… but here’s the kicker… it’s 64oz at a STEADY pace. This is not a guzzle and go. The guzzling method is a good way to make yourself sick (or gag) and create a huge dislike for water. The best way to stay hydrated is constant sipping throughout the day. Arm yourself with a favorite water bottle; or for my medical friends, know the location of all your water fountains and visit them often. If you struggle with keeping track or remembering try an app on your smart phone, set alarms on your phone/watch, or have an accountability group to check in with. (Message me to get in on my monthly water challenge)

Other helpful tips:

  • If you don’t like water go for natural flavoring or sparkling water. Click HERE for one of my favorite website for flavoring.
  • At LEAST 64oz a day but you probably need more – doctors recommend taking your weight and dividing it by half to get an idea of what you need.
  • Eat your water: Fruits and Veggies are another great source of hydration. Some of the most hydrating foods: cucumbers – berries – watermelon – cabbage – lettuce – tomatoes – figs – cherries – grapes – carrots