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Your Body On Water

Pour yourself a tall glass to keep your body and mind refreshed. 

May 2023
Ellen Song

What would you say if we told you there’s a magical elixir that can improve your performance in school and sports and can also boost your mood? Turns out there is, and it runs straight from your tap! That’s right, we’re talking about plain old H₂O. Water might not seem as exciting as sugary sodas or sports drinks, but when it comes to staying hydrated, water is a whole lot better for you. And staying hydrated is important, because dehydration can cause headaches, anxiety, and fatigue. Luckily, it’s easy to incorporate more water into your diet. If you do, you’ll experience a variety of health benefits, including increased focus and a stronger immune system. Read on to find out how proper hydration affects your body, mind, and mood. Then turn to the back page for some fun ideas about how to add more water to your life.

How Much Is Enough?

You might have heard you should drink eight cups of water a day, but there’s no one-size-fits-all amount. Listen to your body and remember to hydrate throughout the day. Here are some tips:

  • Your urine should be a shade between clear and light yellow. Aim for the color of lemonade, not apple juice! If it’s totally clear, you might even be over-hydrated. 
  • Drink more water when you’re sick, working out, or in a hot climate. 
  • Pay attention to how often you urinate. You should be peeing once every three or so hours. 

Mood

Even mild dehydration can cause fatigue and anxiety, while increasing hydration may lead to greater sensations of alertness and happiness. 

Immune System 

Staying properly hydrated helps your bloodstream transport necessary nutrients to your organs. It’ll also help you fight off foreign invaders like viruses and recover faster when you’re sick. 

Brain

Dehydration can cause or exacerbate headaches. It can also make you feel groggy or disoriented. If your brain feels foggy, it might be telling you that it’s time to drink more water.

Heart

When you’re dehydrated, your heart has a harder time pumping blood efficiently. Over time, this can lead to a hardening of the heart’s muscles, increasing the possibility of heart failure. 

Kidneys

The kidneys maintain your body’s healthy balance of water, salts, and minerals. Staying hydrated helps them work efficiently and reduces your chances of developing problems like urinary tract infections or kidney stones. 

A Splash of Facts

Test your hydration know-how with this quiz.

1

Fruits and vegetables contain water.

True! Munch on fresh foods like cantaloupe, strawberries, watermelon, cucumber, spinach, and celery to stay hydrated. 
2

You should drink all your water for the day at once. 

False! Space out your sips over the course of the day. Drink a glass with each meal and put a bottle by your bedside each night to drink in the morning. 
3

You can never drink too much water.

False! Over-hydrating can cause nausea, disorientation, and in extreme cases, death. But don’t worry: You have to drink a lot of water for this to happen—more than five cups per hour.
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Personal Health
Fitness, Nutrition
elixir

noun:

Substance capable of extending life. 
exacerbate

verb:

To make more severe, unpleasant, or worse.
dehydration

noun:

Loss of bodily fluids or water.

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