Are You Drinking Enough Water?
The human body is made up of about 60% water, and our blood is about 90% water. Water helps drive our bodies’ digestive systems, regulates blood circulation, lubricates and increases the functionality of our joints, and keeps our skin clear and hydrated. Without the adequate amount of water, our bodies would not be able to function at their fullest capacities.
How do you know if you are consuming the right amount of water? Recent studies state that men should consume around 3.7 liters (125 ounces) of water per day, while women should consume around 2.7 liters (91 ounces) per day. These numbers include the water we consume through food, so you do not necessarily need to be drinking exactly that much water.
A good rule of thumb is to drink half your body weight in fluid ounces of water daily. For example, if you weighed 180 pounds, you want to aim for 90 fluid ounces of water daily.
When you supply your body with the proper amount of water, you will experience more energy, healthier and suppler skin and a clearer mind. At optimal hydration, you will also have clear or very light-colored urine.
There are a few factors to take into consideration when determining how much water you think you should be consuming in a day. For example, if you are an extremely active person, you should be drinking more water throughout the day than the average person. The location and climate you are in also matter; if you live somewhere hot and humid, you need to consume more water than usual in order to keep your body regulating properly.
It can be difficult to tell whether or not you are dehydrated or need more water, but these are a few signs to look out for:
- Muscle cramps: Dehydration can lead to muscles cramps, specifically in your legs and arms. If you notice yourself getting them often, it could be due to a lack of water intake.
- Fatigue and dizziness: If you do not drink enough water throughout the day, you may find yourself feeling very tired and lightheaded. Supplying yourself with the adequate amount of water daily will ensure your brain is receiving enough water and can prevent these adverse symptoms.
- Dark-colored urine: If you notice your urine is a bright yellow, this could indicate that you are not drinking enough water. When you’re drinking enough water, your urine will be clear, similar to how water looks.
- Joint pain and headaches: These could both be an indicator that you are not drinking enough water throughout the day.
By paying attention to these signs and symptoms, you will be able to better regulate and understand the amount of water your body needs to function at its best possible ability.
About the author
Ms. Alexandra Bollinger is a Health and Wellness Coach on the Slainte Fitness team at USLI. She enjoys staying active by strength training and going for daily walks and runs. Ms. Bollinger also enjoys working one-on-one with community members and customers to ensure they are on the right track to living a healthy lifestyle!