12 Days of Self-Care: Day 3
On the third day of self-care, high-quality H2O was celebrated!
By Brandi McMurry
Photo by Julia Zolotova on Unsplash
Our bodies are 75 percent water. Dehydration is very common and can cause an array of side effects for the body. Thus we are celebrating our third day of self-care by tending to our body and focusing on hydration for all of our cells to thrive.
Your cells have water in them and also surrounding them that create their shape. A hydrated cell is round-shaped by water on the inside, whereas a dehydrated cell appears wrinkled. Your body’s DNA and Amino Acids (proteins) also need to be a specific shape in order to function optimally, which are formed with water.
Water is important for energy. During the busy holiday season, we may be tempted to drink another cup of coffee for an afternoon pick-me-up. Caffeine is dehydrating, however, which can actually make you feel more tired. So when you're reaching to refill your coffee mug again, perhaps ask yourself how much water did you drink today. You might be surprised to find that fueling with a glass of water can actually give you more energy than that fourth cup of coffee you're recharging your body with. And I say this with love, as I am an avid coffee drinker :)
If it is hard for you to drink water consider adding some flavor in glass with fresh fruit. Lemon is a great option to add to your water. It can help curb hunger, promote digestion, and add flavor making it easier to drink more water throughout the day. Vitamin C can also boost your immune system and is really good for your skin keeping you looking young! Lemon can also help with inflammation in the body. Potassium is also prevalent in lemon, which can help with heart health, blood pressure, and even headaches.
If lemon isn’t your favorite addition to water, consider adding any fruit you enjoy such as strawberries, or blueberries for flavor and a little treat to munch on after finishing your glass. You can also try fresh ginger or herbs such a peppermint, basil, or cilantro to add a nice flavor to your water. Play around with different combinations to find your perfect afternoon delight! Strawberry basil is one of my favorite water flavors.
Herbal teas also have health benefits. Try chamomile for relaxation, acai for antioxidants, ginger for digestive health, or a chai for holiday cheer.
To help aid with digestion, drink water at room temperature as opposed to iced. Ice cold water can shock your liver, putting your nervous system in a sympathetic state causing a fight or flight response. Room temperature water helps break down food faster and more easily helping digestion.
Drinking a room-temperature glass of water upon waking is an ideal way to break your fast. After sleeping for 6–8 hours your body is dehydrated. I like to take a glass of water with me to bed at night. When I wake up in the morning, before I even get out of bed, I make sure to drink my glass of water setting up my day for success.
Photo by Aryo Lahap on Unsplash
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