We’ve all heard the reports about the importance of drinking at least 8 cups of water a day. But do you know why? It’s because our bodies expel at least 8 cups of water with the simple daily functions of perspiring (not including the sweat from exercise), using the bathroom, and breathing. For our bodies to function properly, we need at least that much to replenish what we’ve lost.
Drinking eight glasses of water means just that: WATER. It does not mean liquid. Coffee, tea and soda are not included in these 8 glasses, and shouldn’t be either. These drinks can add to your skin’s tired look and prevent your body from absorbing essential vitamins. Coffee actually works against your efforts of hydration because it is a natural diuretic. These caffeinated drinks may seem like a way to gain energy or wake up, but after a few days without them your body will loose its dependency on the caffein, and you will feel better without them. With less caffein, your body will be able to sleep better, you should feel more rested (also a plus for your skin) and you dependency on caffein will be a thing of the past.
But there are other benefits to drinking 8 glasses of water (or more) a day too.
When you increase your water intake, toxins which build up in your body are flushed out more readily. Your skin which might look dull or tired will start to look brighter, and firmer as you increase you water intake. Dark under eye circles, and dry skin will also diminish.
Drinking that much water makes you bloated and visit the bathroom more... Right? Wrong! While increasing you water intake, your body may want to retain the water you drink, and you might start to feel bloated, or you might be making extra trips to the ladies room. But not to worry. These symptoms will quickly disappear once your 8 glasses of water a day becomes an every day routine.
If you’re as busy as I am, stopping every few hours to find a drinking fountain or buy another bottle of water may be difficult. But there are solutions to these too. Bring your water with you! Sigg bottles, and Platypus bottles are two of my favorite ways to bring my water with me. An added plus is that both of these products are better for the environment too! Reusable water bottles mean that there are less plastic-one-use- bottles in the land fill.
So that’s it ladies. No more excuses! Drink the recommended amount of water a day, replenish your cells, flush out the toxins and start feeling and looking better. Cheers!
