The magic of water - staying hydrated.

What is your daily water intake like?

I pose this question to every new client and regularly check in with my existing clients to keep hydration at front of mind. With the body being made up of ~70% water, water carries a number of vital functions in the body, to name a few, it:

• Protects our organs and tissues
• Lubricates and keeps our joints healthy
• Regulates body temperature
• Dissolves nutrients and makes them accessible to body
• Carries nutrients and oxygen to the cells
• Aids digestion and bowel movement
• Flushes waste or toxins from the body (and therefore supports kidney/liver function)
• Supports brain function and keeps us mentally sharp and switched on.

If we get too low on water, thirst is one way for our body to alert us - it’s like a built-in ‘survival’ mechanism. While I try to avoid the ‘thirst-alert-stage’ and attempt a consistent fluid intake throughout the day, admittedly, it's not always easy to stick to it and some days are better than others.

Based on my own personal experience and listening to my clients, I often hear "When I get busy, I tend to forget to drink water." (despite the water bottle sitting right next to us!) - sound familiar?

My tip – set a water alarm: 

• It may sound odd yet it is a simple way to keep track of your water consumption including mental performance e.g. at an hourly basis 
• Simultaneously, it can serve to rejuvenate and bring mindfulness to your day i.e. pause, become present, check in with yourself - re-connect and ground yourself as required; if you are sitting a lot, it's a great opportunity to get up and stretch.

The other very common response I get is - “I don’t really like the taste of / drinking water.” 

My tip - flavour your water:

• Add a refreshing slice of lemon, lime or orange 
• Add fresh mint, watermelon and/or cucumber
• Try infusing water with thyme - it tastes delicious and thyme has been found to have antibacterial and antiviral effects
• Get creative and tap into your personal taste preferences to encourage you to drink water e.g. I like adding blue tea or lemongrass/ginger tea to my water bottle.

Consider creating a mini water ritual to enable the best possible effect on our system:

You may have heard of the Japanese scientist Masaru Emoto and his fascinating research, showing how thoughts, words and feelings can influence the molecules of water – ever since I saw this, I wrote positive words on the bottom of my drink bottle to induce its content with positive vibrations. My Kinesiologist in Perth always poured water out of a bottle labelled “Love and Gratitude” - I do the same in my clinic for my clients :)

Other aspects I like to consider:

• Drinking water at room temperature
• Sipping water mindfully and with presence
• Setting an intention i.e. for the water to nourish my body & mind 
• Expressing gratitude for having access to clean water
• Having an extra glass of water for every cup of coffee (I love how in Italy each coffee is served with a glass of water).

It’s interesting to note that when we feel stressed or emotionally overwhelmed, it can block water absorption in the body or in specific body tissues; the thirst centre and associated pathways can also be affected – if you feel you need some support or a reset, Kinesiology is a powerful way to tap into these blockages as well as work with the physiology of the body to create an optimal water balance.

Happy Hydrating!