Drink Water & Have Fun Doing It!
As an experienced Toronto Registered Massage Therapist practicing at Lawrence
Park Health Clinic, I am always telling people to drinks lots of water after their massage. Most people don’t realize how important it is to keep their bodies well hydrated, or that massage is one of the many things that can be dehydrating. So today I’ll sure with you some great reasons to stay hydrated, and then some tips to make drinking water more fun!
Did you know that chronic dehydration is a common problem?
A study done by the Cornell Medical Centre in 1998 (1) found that 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. Chronic dehydration is obviously caused by not drinking enough water, but more often, dehydration is caused by drinking caffeinated beverages, sugary drinks, alcohol and a diet that is high in sodium. When the amount of water leaving your body is more than the amount being consumed, dehydration occurs.
The effects of dehydration might surprise you.
Symptoms may include: fatigue, dizziness, irritability, headache, aches and pains, back pain due to dehydration of the spinal discs, dry skin, sunken eyes and constipation. Dehydration is said to be the number one reason for mid day fatigue! An easy way to check in on how hydrated you are is by looking at the color of your urine. A deep amber color indicated dehydration, where as light yellow to clear is perfect.
To some people, drinking water comes easily to them. But if you’re someone who knows they don’t drink enough, here are some ways to help!
First, try finding a water bottom that you enjoy drinking out of. Make a commitment to empty it 3 to 5 times per day (depending on the size of the bottle). You could try placing 3-5 elastic bands around your water bottle, and removing them as you complete your water drinking goal!
Second, adding citrus like lemon or lime to your water might help make it more appealing. Water infused with berries or caffeine free tea is great too!
Third, if you have a smart phone, there are tons of apps that you can download that will remind you to drink more water.
Drinking water isn’t the only way to keep your body hydrated. A balanced diet with fruits and vegetables contributes 20% of our daily water intake. Cucumber, lettuce and celery are some vegetables with the highest water content.
A great rule of thumb is to drink two glasses of water for every dehydrating beverage enjoyed. One glass of wine or one cup of coffee followed by two cups of water is the perfect recipe for a well hydrated human.
Last, but not least, pay close attention to what you do throughout your day. If you have an extra salty meal, or workout, or get a deep massage, compensate for the changes that will happen in your body as a result.
Love and treat your body well, and drink lots of water!
Author: Darcy Magner, RMT
Toronto Registered Massage Therapist | Acupuncture Provider