There is nothing in this world more refreshing than a tall, ice-cold glass of water. I don’t think there’s anyone alive who can deny that sometimes a simple glass of water is more satisfying than a cup of coffee or a can of soda. However, most of us don’t drink enough water every day. We are constantly harming our bodies by depriving ourselves of the world’s most natural resource. If you notice any of the following symptoms, it is recommended that you immediately go and drink a glass of H2O.
- Your mouth is dry
This may seem obvious, but the implications may not be. Of course, when your mouth feels sticky and icky, it’s obvious that you’re going for some kind of liquid. But sugary drinks are a temporary solution to a bigger problem. Drinking water will lubricate the lining of your mouth and throat, which will keep your mouth moist with saliva even after the first sip. - Your skin is dry
Your skin is your body’s largest organ, so it needs to be moisturized. In fact, dry skin is one of the first signs of dehydration that can lead to bigger problems. A lack of water means a lack of sweat, which prevents the body from washing away excess dirt and oil accumulated throughout the day. If you want to stop inflammation, the first thing you need to do is drink more water. - You are extremely thirsty
We already have a dry mouth, but thirst overtakes the tongue like a desert. Anyone who has ever been hungover can tell you that when you wake up, your body can’t get enough water. Alcohol dehydrates the entire body, and drinking water will tell your brain ‘YES PLEASE!’ sends a signal. Listen to what your body is telling you; you know what youre talking about! - Your eyes are dry
It should be clear that drinking water does not affect your mouth or throat. Dehydration can lead to dry eyes and strokes (again, think of the ultimate hangover). Without water in the body, tear ducts dry up. If you think, “What if I can’t cry?” If you think so, be aware that it can cause more damage to your eyes, especially if you wear contacts every day. - You experience joint pain
About 80% of our cartilage and spinal discs are made up of water. It is an imperative to not crush our bones with every step. Keeping your body hydrated can help your joints absorb the shock of sudden movements like running, jumping, and awkward falls. - Your muscle mass will decrease
And your muscles are mostly made up of water. Less water in the body means less muscle mass. Drinking water before, during, and after exercise not only keeps you hydrated and comfortable, but it also gets water to the right places in your body, reducing the likelihood of exercise- and weight-lifting-related inflammation and soreness. - You are sick for a long time
Drinking water allows you to constantly flush toxins from your body. Your organs work like a machine to filter out some of our waste products, but if you don’t fill the machine with water, it can’t function properly. What happens in a dehydrated body is that your organs begin to draw water from stored parts like your blood, which leads to a whole new set of problems. - You feel tired and lethargic
As we just mentioned, when your body is dehydrated, it “borrows” water from your blood. Lack of properly hydrated blood leads to a lack of oxygen throughout the body. Of course, lack of oxygen leads to drowsiness and immediate fatigue. Lack of stamina means you’ll start to feel the crash earlier and earlier by 2pm (and remember, coffee doesn’t last long). - You feel hungry
When you’re dehydrated, your body begins to think it needs food. It happens throughout the day and at night when you wake up wanting a midnight snack. However, eating food creates more work for your body, while drinking water cleanses your organs and provides the fuel needed to carry out other bodily processes. - Problems with the digestive system
We talked earlier about how maintaining mucus and moisture in the mouth and throat allows the membranes to function properly. It covers the entire digestive system. Without proper hydration, the volume and strength of the stomach lining decreases, and stomach acid can cause serious damage to your insides. This leads to what we commonly call heartburn and indigestion. - You feel premature aging
As we age, the amount of water stored in our body naturally decreases. Of course, this means that we must consciously increase our water intake as we age. Premature aging is obvious on the outside, but the damage it does to our internal organs will eventually be felt over time. To reduce the risk of running your body raw, it is important to drink water throughout your life.
