
Do you drink enough water?
The answer is “probably not” since about 8 in 10 of us don’t!
A poll of 2,000 Americans found that just 22 percent meet USDA daily recommendations for water intake.
So what’s the big deal?
Every cell, tissue, and organ in your body needs water to work correctly. You can’t have good overall health if you aren’t adequately hydrated, period.
When you are hydrated, you’ll notice:
- Fewer headaches
- More brainpower (bye-bye brain fog!)
- Glowing skin
- Better sleep
- Better mood
- More energy
- Better physical performance
Plus, there’s a lot happening behind the scenes when you are well hydrated:
- Lubricated joints
- Efficient delivery of nutrients to cells
- Good organ function
Even mild dehydration can affect mental and physical function. So, how do you know if you are dehydrated?
Look out for these symptoms:
- Sleepiness or fatigue
- Your urine is darker than usual
- Headache
- Dry mouth
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- No tears when crying
Maybe you are suffering from mild dehydration and don’t even know it - upping your water intake helps in surprising ways like these:
1. Hydration helps with muscle soreness and tension. Proper hydration keeps your cartilage soft and pliable, protecting your joints and muscles. When dehydrated, fluid is pulled out of your tissues, contributing to overall achiness. Water also flushes toxins out of the body, transports nutrients into the cells, and regulates body temperature. ALL so essential to fend off the aches and pains that plague you when working out or just from general movement. Think about your water intake. Drinking more water may be a simple solution to get you moving. And always, look for aid when you are dealing with aches and pains so your body can get back in action. The Gwyneth Paltrow X Copper Fit Compression Knee Sleeve is a great way to help with knee comfort, performance, and support. Plus, it looks really good. After all, it’s Gwyneth approved!
2. Hydration helps with cramping - often due to dehydration. Cramping HURTS. The thing is, there are lots of reasons we cramp. Dehydration is a cause on the top of the list, and it has a pretty simple solution! It’s super important to replenish fluids when you work out and continue to replenish after. Water is vital because it helps your muscles contract and relax - keeping them happy. If you suffer from pretty common leg cramping, then a good 1-2 punch to knock it out is upping the hydration and putting on some Copper Fit Energy Plus Hydrating Compression Socks. They support your calf muscles during activity to increase circulation to your lower legs, which can keep the muscles receiving vital minerals and nutrients. Plus - they are infused with Shea, Vitamin E, Coconut, and Aloe for a revitalizing sensation without feeling greasy.
3. Hydration is key if you are dealing with health problems like arthritis. The ultimate detox is water because it flushes toxins out of your body, and this toxin flush helps fight inflammation, the root of many health problems. Water keeps cartilage well-hydrated for those who have arthritis, reducing friction between bones and enabling you to move more easily. Compression is also an excellent aid for arthritis suffers. The Copper Fit Compression Gloves give your hands more power, support, and agility in your everyday tasks and has Sure Grip™ technology throughout the palm and fingers for added control.
Let’s Hydrate!
So, if we know hydrating is so good for us, why don’t we do it? Like anything, it takes intention, setting yourself up for success, and eventually - increased hydration will become a habit.
Eat Water-rich Foods.
20% of your water is from the foods you eat. Pack your diet with water-rich foods to keep your hydration levels high. Fruits and vegetables are filled with water.
Some obvious picks are:
- Watermelon (92% water!)
- Strawberries
- Cantaloupe
- Peaches
- Oranges
- Cabbage
- Tomatoes
And some other foods with lots of water:
- Milk
- Soups and Smoothies
- Oatmeal
Copper Fit Tip: Overnight oats are not only hydrating but also a healthy and filling way to start the day. The oats absorb the water or milk that they soak in, expanding up to ten times their weight with extra liquid.
Up that Water Intake.
Water intake depends on your lifestyle, health, how active you are, and other factors. Experts generally agree that eight 8-ounce glasses a day is a good idea. Another estimate is to drink water based on your weight. You should try to drink between half an ounce and an ounce of water for each pound you weigh every day. And remember, energy drinks and colas are full of flavoring, salt, caffeine, and lots of things that aren’t great for you - so the best option for hydration is simply water.
It is possible to drink too much water in a day; it can disrupt the body's electrolyte balance and lead to hyponatremia - it’s estimated that about 3 liters (100 ounces) may be too much for some people. If you are curious about how much you need, check with your healthcare provider.
Routine is everything! Make drinking water part of your routine, like brushing your teeth or working out. Our favorite wellness guru Gwyneth Paltrow starts the day by drinking two large glasses of water, then coffee while she catches up on emails and reads the news. Sounds good to us!
More tips for drinking more water? Try some of our favorites:
- Treat yourself to a cute water bottle that fits in your purse and take it everywhere you go. Also, get a large insulated water bottle to keep in the car or at your office desk for fill-ups.
- Add a lemon or lime wedge to a glass of water.
- Love iced tea? Use herbal caffeine-free tea. Hydrating and refreshing.
- You can also enhance the taste of water with cucumbers or oranges.
- Or - make ice cubes that contain frozen fruit for more flavor.
- When you are feeling hungry, drink water first. Thirst and hunger can often be confused.
- Leave a glass by the sink at home; every time you go in the kitchen, drink up!
- Drink one glass before bed, and one when you wake up in the morning.
Figure out what works for you, and stick to it!
The power of water is pretty amazing. Of all the things we can do for our bodies to live a healthier life, drinking more water to be well hydrated is simple, free, and easy. Focus on better hydration, and you’ll have better focus, better workouts, and better moods.
Now, go get yourself a glass of water!