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You’re about to climb into bed when you think, “did I drink any water today?” Unfortunately, we’ve all been there once or twice. Sometimes, we neglect H2O for coffee, tea, soda and alcohol – and those beverages don’t supply enough hydration for anyone.
As a result, we experience pesky health issues that may lead to more significant concerns. Here’s a look at how not drinking enough water causes problems, plus a few solutions.
Whenever you skip out on your recommended two to three liters, you likely notice a mental fog. You may feel like you can’t think straight, or you endure a strong, painful headache. This symptom occurs because our brains need water to function correctly. In fact, they contain almost 80% water.
If you let dehydration become a habit, your mind won’t operate as it should. You may go through increased fatigue and memory decline as well. When you feel extra tired or spacey, be sure to drink some water.
We all know that when we don’t feel well, it’s not easy to be happy and bubbly. Instead, we’re more inclined to address others with a certain sharpness. If you don’t consume enough water, you’ll probably seem more irritable than usual. Of course, no one wants to shut out their family and friends accidentally.
Be sure to take a look at your habits if you experience these shifts. Whether you’re at work or school, it helps to keep a reusable water bottle nearby so that you’re more likely to fill it up.
It’s not always what you put on your skin that matters most. Actually, the foods you eat and the liquids you drink can make a noticeable difference. When you’re dehydrated, you may notice your skin has become dryer and flakier. While not applying a decent moisturizer creates problems, not drinking enough water causes cracked skin, too.
If you suffer from split, broken patches on your face or arms, you’ll want to try both lotion and more water. Together, these solutions can relieve your symptoms and make way for brighter skin.
In order to protect your heart, it’s necessary to stay hydrated. When you don’t consume enough liquids, you’re more likely to have a stroke, and the recovery time isn’t the speediest. Remember that our bodies use water to create new cells and perform other vital tasks. Without this substance, our organs can’t function properly.
If your heart can’t move blood to your brain fast enough, you may experience significant health concerns. It’s always important to drink water throughout the day, especially if you’re already at risk for certain conditions.
You may notice significant muscle cramps or spasms as a result of dehydration. When our bodies’ sodium levels drop, they need to prioritize their current water supply – and our muscles aren’t the most important feature. As a result, they become weak and sensitive, which makes them spasm.
Do your best to consume enough water so that you don’t experience this pain. A sore muscle can lead to permanent damage down the line if you aren’t careful.
Have you eaten more than usual lately? Often, our bodies tell us they need water, but we interpret that signal as hunger. Then, we consume more food than we should – and this error limits our bodies’ ability to burn fat as usual. Eventually, you may start to gain unwanted weight if you don’t stay hydrated.
Whenever you feel a bit hungry, it’s best to drink a glass of water before you open up the pantry. This way, you can determine whether or not you’re really just dehydrated.
Here’s a general rule of thumb – when in doubt, pour yourself a glass of water. You can avoid these health issues if you pay attention to how much you consume. The more, the better.
