 | Do we really need to drink 8-10 glasses of agua per day? That's like saying we are all the same and if you are a certain height, you need to weigh a certain amount. We are all unique individuals with different lifestyles, bodies, constitutions, activity levels, and more! And yes! You can drink TOO MUCH water and over-hydrate your body! So what is the right amount of water/liquid to drink for you? And what about the temperature of the water? Is that relevant? YES! In a wilderness survival guide I am reading, the author states that humans need 3 quarts (64-96 oz.) of water per day. A 2 Litre bottle holds 66 oz., so this is the minimum you need to imbibe. So go get a 2 L. bottle ( or two smaller 32 oz. bottles), fill it up, and make sure it's empty by day's end. Does it need to be said that exercise, physical labor, hot weather, and illness increase that requirement? Here is a fantastic and informative video and regulating your water intake and how your personal intake depends on age, weather, activity level, constitution, and more! https://yogainternational.com/article/view/how-much-water-do-you-really-need (Click read more, to the right...) |
| ...In yoga, I learned to drink hot lemon water first thing upon awakening each morning; it stimulates the digestive system and benefits the liver. I've gotten out of the habit of doing so, but recently started again, mainly to cut down my ever-increasing chai habit :-) During the last 6 months, when I have several hours of time in the morning, I have started drinking more and more chai as I read or study. From 2 to now 4 cups! It feels like this I s too much! The last few mornings, I heat a cup of water and then add lemon while my chai is "cooking". Then, I have found myself sitting in the darkened living room, pre-dawn, and slowly sipping my hot lemon water, relishing the quiet and stillness of doing nothing before my day begins! Now I look forward to that morning meditative stillness of just sitting and drinking hot lemon water! http://wellnessmama.com/35192/benefits-of-lemon-water/ Another aspect to consider is hyponatremia, usually only experienced by athletes who drink too much water at once, resulting in reduced sodium levels in the blood stream. My research shows a need of .5 to 1 oz. of H20 per pound of body weight, with the aforementioned minimum of 66 oz. per day. For me, this means 72-145 oz. of water for me per day. Again, you need to consider the weather, activity level, health, and constitution to determine your water needs! Think about it: if you sit at a desk all day in Finland, you need less water than if you are laying roof tiles in July in south Florida! If you are a drier, thinner body type, you need more water than a heavier, moist body type (again, considering lifestyle, etc.). You don't have to be perfect, but you have to hydrate! Keep in mind you can get your water intake needs met by drinking nourishing herbal infusions, herbal tea, and adding nutrients to you water in the form of lemon or citrus, electrolytes, or infusions of fruit and herbs. It counts! Additional Resources: https://yogainternational.com/article/view/5-natural-ways-to-relieve-lymphatic-congestion Survivor Kid: A Practical Guide to Wilderness Survival by Denise Long | |
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