Water – One Important Thing You Can Add to Your Day

People often ask me where I find the motivation to invest in my health and fitness.

My answer: In my lifetime, I will only ever have one body.

This is all I get.

So, I try to treat my body with the same care and reverence as one would a Bugatti. After investing 7-figures in a car, I wouldn’t risk damaging it by skimping out on routine maintenance. And at the end of the day – Bugatti’s are replaceable. My body is not.

I love my body, so I seek to treat it with respect. I respect my body by:

• Meditating
• Getting adequate sleep
• Exercising
• Eating clean
• Drinking plenty of water

While drinking enough water every day can be hard at first, I’ve found that the benefits more than outweigh the inconveniences.

So, here’s a guide for the one important thing you can add to your day – cheers to water.

Why Is Water Important to Humans?

You know that feeling you get after eating a bag of chips or after being in the sun all day?

You’re probably craving a glass of water to quench your thirst.

Why does our body crave water?

Well, our bodies are composed of up to 60% water. Water moistens the tissues in our mouth and eyes. It helps create the saliva we need to break down food. Our other organs also rely on water to function.

• Our brain is composed of 73% water.
• Our lungs are made up of 83% water.
• Our skin is composed of 64% water.

On top of making up so much of our anatomy, water also: Here are other reasons why water is essential to life. Water:

• Regulates body temperature
• Protects your spinal cord and joints
• Excretes waste from our body
• Promotes with brain and overall organ function

Water brings life to our bodies and the living organisms around us like plants and animals.

What are the immediate health benefits your body can experience when you add this important molecule to your day? Keep reading to find out.

Health Benefits of Water

We know that water is essential for human life. But what are some health benefits you’ll notice after drinking enough water every day?

Ever since I started drinking enough water every day, I’ve noticed:

• Clearer skin
• Better sleep and feel well-rested after I wake up
• Improved mood
• Regular bowel movements
• Maximized physical performance while I’m exercising
• Reduced stress
• Improved immune function (I get sick less frequently)
• Boost in energy that’s sustained throughout the day

The external improvements I’ve experienced are just the beginning of the health benefits you can get from water. Other benefits that can’t be seen but are occurring under the surface are:

• Increased nutrient absorption
• Less stress on organs like your kidneys
• Better brain function
• Easier transportation of carbohydrates and proteins through your bloodstream

I don’t know about you, but I want a body that’s hydrated so I can have all of these health benefits! Water is life-giving. With the one life I have, I want to support my body by drinking enough water.

But how much is enough? Well, that depends on the person.

How Much Water a Day Should You Drink?

We’re all unique individuals and are different sizes and shapes. There’s no one “right” answer to how much water you should drink a day. The reality is, your own personal water intake needs are going to vary based on your diet and exercise patterns. It will also depend on your underlying health status.

A good rule of thumb, however, is to drink half of your body weight in ounces per day.

For example, an individual who weighs 100 pounds would aim to drink 50 ounces of water a day. Note, that this is just a rule of thumb. I personally exceed that recommendation by almost double. I also do crossfit and yoga most days a week so my body needs a bit more water.

If you want to know how much water you should drink for optimal health for your own personal body, I recommend starting with a routine physical with your primary care provider. Once you know your health status, your primary care provider can offer guidance about appropriate water intake for your body.

Generally, 2-3 liters a day is considered adequate water intake for healthy adults. But, as I always tell my patients, some water is better than none. If 2 liters is too lofty of a goal for you right now, start with 20 ounces and build up slowly from there.

In general, I drink anywhere between ½ – 1 gallon of water a day depending on what I have going on in a day. Any less than that and I start to break out.

Tips on How to Drink More Water

My patients often ask me how they can incorporate more water into their everyday lives. In addition to starting with a small goal and building slowly from there, I recommend that you:

1. Purchase a water bottle with a timer on the side. These water bottles include marks on the side indicating your water-drinking goals throughout the day.
2. Track how many ounces or liters of water you drink with a phone app or journal.
3. If you don’t like the taste of water, consider using a water infuser. You can flavor your water with fruits.
4. Your body gets 20% of its daily water from food. So, consider eating more whole foods that have a high amount of water including cucumbers, celery, and watermelon.

As you increase our water intake using these tips, I’m confident that you’ll experience the amazing health benefits from it.

Let’s Add Water to Your Daily Routine

While drinking water can be hard to incorporate sometimes, hopefully, these benefits and tips can encourage you to add this life-giving practice to your daily routine.

I want you to feel your best – one glass at a time.

Have you experienced benefits from drinking water? Share with me in the comments!

Want to follow my holistic health and life journey? Follow me on Instagram @themoniquestephanie.

I’m cheering for you!
Monique