Are You Drinking Enough Water?

Hello Modern Guys and Gals,

We all know that water is important. It’s essential for life and our bodies operate much more effectively when we’re well hydrated. We also know that water is good for our skin. When your skin is hydrated skin you will see much better and longer lasting treatment results. Our bodies naturally lose water throughout the day, but it’s not necessary to follow the old ‘eight glasses a day’ rule. It is, however, important to replace lost fluids and stay hydrated.

So, how do you know if you’re getting enough water? Luckily, our bodies can tell us. Here are some common signals that our bodies need more water.

Thirst

Thirst is the most obvious sign our body can give us. It’s simple, if we’re thirsty we need water. A refreshing soda, a cold beer, or even juice might sound better than plain water, but none of those things can hydrate your body like water can. In fact, they actually can dehydrate you. Caffeine is a diuretic, which could cause you to lose more fluids than you’re taking in. While a small amount of caffeine each day will not cause harm, sugary drinks and artificial sweeteners are terrible for your body. Remember, drinks are not the only way to get water. Fruits and vegetables are packed with water and hydrate your body as well.

#1 and #2

Yup, your toilet can tell you if you’re dehydrated or not. Pale, or light yellow urine means that your body is hydrated enough. Sometimes, it might even look clear. If you’re urine is dark, or you’re noticing a decreased output of urine, it could mean that you’re not hydrated enough. Experts recommend that hydrated urine is no darker than a light lemonade color. Poop can also tell us about our hydration. A hydrated body produces soft, regular poops. If your poops are hard or you are facing constipation it could be a sign that you need more water. Now, aren’t you glad we talked about that?

Headaches

Headaches can be a sign of many health issues, but among them, is dehydration. Dehydration causes your body to lose important chemicals, such as Potassium. It also causes blood volume to drop. Add these two things together and you get a headache. Have you ever had a hangover? Well, you’ve probably noticed that drinking water helps. That’s because alcohol causes dehydration, which can be a contributing factor to hangovers. However, any time you have a headache, it could just be your body telling you to drink more water.

Finally….

Reduced skin elasticity or dry skin

I know you care about your skin, that’s why you’re here. If none of the other signs matter to you, this should be your wakeup call. When it comes to skincare, we have to work from the inside out. Water helps flush waste out of your body, including toxins that affect your skin. Chronic dehydration can lead to premature aging that even the best skincare routine cannot fix. Have you ever done the “pinch test”? Try it. Pinch a small area of your skin and see how quickly it snaps back. If it takes longer than normal to bounce back in place then you are likely dehydrated.

Please note though, this mostly occurs with moderate to severe dehydration, you may not notice a difference if you are only mildly dehydrated.

We can’t treat the outside of our bodies unless the inside is healthy too. If you want your treatments to be more effective and last longer, you need to stay hydrated. Drinking enough water is not only one of the most important things you can do for your health, but one of the most important things you can do for your skin. Water is essential for your life, body, and beauty!

Now let’s talk! Leave your favorite tip for sneaking a few more ounces into your day.

XoXo,

~ Modern Aesthetics