Water is a common need and its medical values are underrated. Find out what is the best time to drink water and how it can improve your daily bodily functions.
No one survives without water and in order to make a living, drinking water is mandatory. While everybody is aware of this simple knowledge, most people are not aware of the right time to hydrate yourself. Just like drinking ample water is important for living, it is also important to understand are right times to drink water. While drinking water is important to keep your body active, drinking excessive water can also put pressure on your kidneys.
There are many myths regarding the time for drinking water. Let’s bust some myths and find out some important conditions for drinking water.
- When You Feel a Little Hungry
Well, you definitely cannot fill your hunger with water but sometimes people do not understand whether they are hungry or just simply thirsty. They do not realize the urge to drink water when the hunger strikes. The brain recognizes the triggers for thirst and hunger as the same. So, before you run to the kitchen, drink some water and see if you are still hungry.
- After Waking Up
The first thing to do right after waking up is to hydrate yourself. After 7 to 8 hours of sleep, your body goes through a long fast, and drinking water activates, like a jump start. You can even put a little lemon juice in the first glass of water which offers a boost with vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidant phytonutrients.
- When You Sweat
Summer is coming, the season of sweat! Whenever you sweat, you lose a lot of bodily water whether it is a hit day or you just had an intense workout session. Cool down your body with a lot of water but do not always drink chilled water when your body is casting off heat.
- While Working Out
You should drink water before, during, and after your workout session. Make sure to fill your bottle with 16 to 20 ounces of water. Try to drink at least 6 to 12 ounces of water every 15 minutes when are actively exercising. When your session ends, drink another 16 to 24 ounces of water.
- When You Are Sick
Hydration is key to healing for many kinds of common diseases such as diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, and fever when your body can suffer from extreme fluid loss. When you are sick, try to drink more water than usual and avoid alcohol and caffeinated drinks which can dry your system up from inside.
- While on a Flight
It is quite normal to feel thirsty on plane rides due to the sheer altitude. The atmosphere there is quite dry and cold with no air pressure. While you cannot understand directly, the dry air can make you thirsty as half the air in the plane cabin flows in from outside only. Carry an empty water bottle and fill it up whenever you need.
- Before You Get a Massage
If you drink water before going for a massage, the masseur will thank you since it makes your muscles soft and more supple, It gets easier for them to manipulate the tender issues and ensure more pleasure for you. In case you are having a deep tissue or other heavy-duty massage, make sure to drink water to flush out the toxic substances released by the body due to massage.
- Before Your Period Cramps
Premenstrual discomfort and bloating are not unknown to women. Water can help to reduce the pain if you drink much of it on the days of the period. Cramps and headaches can take place due to dehydration. According to a study on young women with dysmenorrhea; it was found that drinking more water reduced their cycles, and pelvic pain and also lessened the need for pain relief.
- To Avoid Midday Slumber
Mid-afternoon slumber happens with most people who start their day early and after having lunch, the body seeks some rest. But sleeping is not an option. Instead of having more coffee, make sure to have a glass full of water with some lemon to make your uplift your mood and energy. According to reports from the British Journal of Nutrition, drinking water can improve your mood, memory, and visual perception.
- When You Have a Headache
Migraine can trigger dehydration. Whenever you are having a bad day with a headache, try to drink more water which can reduce the uneasy feeling.
- Before Having a Meal
Drinking water before eating is a method called ‘Preloading’. It helps to lose weight greatly and improves metabolism in the body. Preloaders can lose a lot of weight even if they just have two cups of water before their meals. Water helps to speed up the process of lipolysis which means your body will get better burning fat for energy. Therefore, it can be greatly helpful for people who are trying to lose weight.
- To be at the Top of Your Game
Do you know that three-fourths of every human brain is filled with fluid and you are required to maintain the level to keep your brain and body working properly? If the fluid levels in your brain are reduced, the blood vessels can shrink which greatly affects coordination. It can trigger your short-term memory, attention span, as well as stamina; according to a recent Chinese Study. Time to drink more water and bounce back!
Keep yourself hydrated and stay tuned for more content!
