We hear it over and over again: “You need to drink at least 2 liters of water every day.” But do we always do it? No, let’s be honest. Sometimes we get carried away by the coffee, the smoothies, the iced teas, the fresh juices, the sodas, and everything else. They’re just more delicious! That said, there’s nothing better than being a hydrated queen and if you’re reading this, you know your body is telling you you’re not one. Here are 10 signs you’re not drinking enough water and you absolutely should:
The dreaded dry mouth
Photo by Nsey Benajah on UnsplashEver feel like you’ve been trekking through the Sahara without a water bottle? Considering that you’re not living in the desert, you shouldn’t be dealing with a dry mouth on the daily. That’s your body crying out for water and, girl, it’s time to listen. You may take saliva for granted, but you need to generate enough of it to keep your mouth moist and your lips soft. Not to mention it helps digest food and avoid bad breath. So, yeah, reach for that water bottle right now and sip, sip, sip!
You’re feeling fatigued all the time
Photo by Anthony Tran on UnsplashIf you feel like you need a nap every hour, you’re probably dehydrated. When your body’s not hydrated, your blood volume decreases, which means your poor heart has to work harder to pump oxygen and nutrients to your cells. That’s what makes you feel sluggish and like you just can’t go on. Next time you’re dragging, reach for your water bottle instead of your next cup of coffee.
Headaches are part of your daily existence
Photo by Daniele La Rosa Messina on UnsplashHeadaches can be caused by many different reasons and dehydration is one of the most common ones. When your body doesn’t have enough water to work with, your brain can temporarily shrink from fluid loss, pulling away from the skull and causing pain. If you’re frequently battling headaches, try drinking more water before you reach for the painkillers.
Your pee is dark and sparse
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Let’s talk about pee. Yes, pee. Healthy hydration equals light-yellow urine. If your urine is darker than a glass of apple juice, it’s a signal that you need to hydrate more. Plus, if you’re not visiting the restroom regularly, that’s another clue that you need to drink up. It’s annoying to have to go pee quite often, but all these issues we’re exploring on this list are much more inconvenient.
You feel lightheaded or dizzy often
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If you often feel like you’re lightheaded or dizzy, drinking water could help. When you’re low on water, your blood pressure can drop, leading to those unpleasant dizzy spells. Keep a water bottle handy, and sip throughout the day to maintain balance (literally). If you suspect there’s another reason for the dizzy spells, make sure to get a check-up!
You’re cranky and irritable
Photo by OSPAN ALI on UnsplashFeeling cranky and irritable is a part of life, you know? Sometimes things just don’t go our way and boy do we hate that. However, if you’re feeling this way for absolutely no reason, it could be because you need some water. Dehydration can affect your cognitive function and mood, so if you’re feeling grumpy, snappy, or even foggy and confused, take a moment to drink water.
Your skin is dry and itchy
Photo by Nataliya Melnychuk on UnsplashMoisturizing isn’t something you should only do on the outside. Using your face and body creams is all fine and good, but you also need to drink enough water. That’s a great way to keep your skin supple and smooth, the creams are just an extra touch. If your skin is constantly dry, itchy, or flaky, it’s screaming for water. Once you drink enough of it every day, you’ll moisturize from the inside out, helping your skin get a nice glow.
Your muscles give you trouble
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Cramping up during your workouts or experiencing muscle soreness? Dehydration could be the issue. Not drinking enough water affects the balance of electrolytes in your body, which can lead to muscle cramps and spasms. If you’re a gym rat or you enjoy any kind of physical activity, you should already know that staying hydrated is one of the most important things you can do to perform and recover well. So make sure you empty that water bottle as many times as necessary during the day!
You often feel hungry even when you’ve eaten well
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Sometimes thirst can disguise itself as hunger. If you find yourself wanting to snack all the time, even when you’re eating good meals throughout the day, have a glass of water first. If you’re dealing with false hunger because your body actually needs hydration instead of a snack, that glass of water will take care of it. It will also prevent you from overeating throughout the day, especially if you’re trying to eat healthier.
You’re not going to the bathroom as you should
Photo by Olivier Collet on UnsplashAs a surprise to no one, water is vital for our digestion. When our bodies don’t have enough of it, our digestive system can’t do its job properly. That leads to constipation and no one wants that. Staying hydrated throughout the day is key to helping your digestive system work as a well-oiled machine. It can also help with some digestive issues, that alone is worth the effort of drinking enough water every day.
