The Most Important Thing

If you had to choose one thing that is most important to your physical and mental well being, what would you think it is? Sleep? Food? Exercise? Those are all good, but this is even more basic. It is around us every day, and we don't think twice about it. Water.

Yes, water. Let's start with the dry facts and then build from there.

1. There are ongoing tests but it is believed that a good percentage of what we call "aging" is actually the result of dehydration.

2. More than 60% of deaths over the age of 60 are directly related to dehydration.
3. ~75% of all people in developed countries are chronically dehydrated.
4. Proper hydration reduces your chances of getting arthritis, certain cancers (colon, bladder, & breast), joint related ailments, and heart attacks.
5. Just a 2% drop in hydration causes fuzzy memory, problems doing basic math calculations, and trouble focusing on the task at hand.
6. MILD dehydration can slow your metabolism by 3% or more.

Now that you are taking this a bit more seriously, what are the signs of dehydration? We all seem to think that "thirst" is the first sign of dehydration, it is NOT. By the time you are feeling "parched" you are more than mildly dehydrated. Your first symptoms are swelling of extremities and change in urine color. Here is a full listing for 2% water loss:

1. Thirst

2. Loss of appetite
3. Swelling of extremities
4. Dry skin
5. Skin flushing
6. Yellow urine (the darker the color the more severely dehydrated)
7. Dry mouth
8. Fatigue
9. Chills
10. Head rush
11. Migraine

How much water should we drink daily? There are a number of factors that have to be considered when calculating water intake. You should drink enough water that your urine is clear (unless you are taking something that would color your urine,like Iodine). Factors are environment (hot / cold, dry / humid), how much exercise you partake daily, how much you naturally sweat, and obviously how much you weigh. Here is the standard formula: 1/2 your body weight in ounces. About.com has a good calculator. http://nutrition.about.com/library/blwatercalculator.htm

"I don't like water. What can I take instead?" There is nothing that replaces water. I suggest you get a water filter for your tap and see if that helps. Some people are hypersensitive to tastes - my eldest daughter can tell you what brand of water you give her without seeing the brand. So, you may need to try several different types of filters before you find one that works. You can drink green tea too to help offset, but stay away from sodas, coffee, caffeinated drinks, or any of the "power" drinks. They are filled with either sugars or caffeine which are harmful and cause dehydration to occur faster.

A word of caution when choosing types of water. Plastic is bad for the body - stay away from bottled water unless it is in a glass container. Water in certain areas is heavy in metals and both chlorine and fluorine, I recommend everyone have their water tested, and make sure you get the filtration type needed for your water. Some metals and other particulates found in water are actually beneficial.

On the flip side... bathing tends to reduce stress and helps our bodies go back to a neutral state. Add a couple drops of your favorite scent, grab a book or turn on some soothing music, light those candles, and take 20 minutes for you today!