Let’s face it. When thinking about improving health and well being, we first look for ways to change our eating habits and physical activity. The importance of water is largely overlooked. But according to the Mayo Clinic, water makes up 60% of our body weight, can control our caloric intake, and prevent our skin from looking dry and wrinkly.
If you have ever heard the phrase, “drink eight 8-ounce glasses a day,” know that it is a good estimate of suggested water intake per day and an easily remembered phrase. However, there are also optimal times throughout the day when you should drink this water in order to enhance your health.
1. When You Wake Up
The first glass of water of the day should be right when you wake up. You should have one or two glasses. This kickstarts your body after a long period of rest and helps get you going for the day. It also gets rid of any toxins within your circulatory system that have accumulated overnight.
2. Before Meals
30 minutes before any meal in the day, you should drink a glass of water to help with digestion. Not only does this prepare your stomach for the food to come, but it also prevents you from over-eating, as water makes you feel more full before you start your meal.
3. After Meals
The Mayo Clinic and Livestrong say drinking water after meals is important because it helps break down food and aids the body in absorbing those nutrients. Drinking water after meals also helps prevent constipation.
4. Before Sleep
The Doctors Health Press says to drink a glass of water right before bed. This will replenish the fluids that are lost during the night and cleanse the body of toxins accumulated throughout the day.
More tips
The Mayo Clinic and the Doctors Health Press give three more tips on when water is useful throughout the day:
Exercise: Water is important before and after physical activity, in order to activate the muscles.
Hunger: To avoid snacking a lot throughout the day, drink water instead. If after 10 minutes the hunger does not go away, a snack is okay to have. However, the water may quell your hunger, so it is best to try that first.
Fatigue: If you are feeling tired at any point during the day, try drinking water, as fatigue and weariness are often symptoms of dehydration.
Drink up and hydrate, and you will be on your way to a better lifestyle.