How Much Water Should I Drink?

How much water should you drink each day? Well, that's a bit like asking how much fun you should have! There's no one-size-fits-all answer!

Sure, there are all sorts of studies tossing around recommendations. But here's the thing: your water needs are as unique as you are. It depends on if you're a fitness fanatic, a couch potato, or somewhere in between. And hey, even where you live can play a part!

So, how can you figure out your magic number? Well, getting to know your body a bit better is a great place to start. Let's dive in!

Water, outstanding; it not just for drinking anymore! Okay, it totally is. But it does a whole lot more than just quench your thirst. Water is like the ultimate team player of your body. It makes up about 50% to 70% of you, and every tiny part of you needs it to rock on.

Think of water like your body's own personal assistant. It helps get rid of the bad stuff you don't need, keeps you cool when you're feeling hot, and keeps your joints moving smoothly. And let's not forget, it's like a bodyguard for your sensitive tissues.

So, what happens when you don't give your body enough water? Well, dehydration is kind of like when your phone battery gets too low. Things just start to slow down. You might feel tired, sluggish, and just not your awesome self.

But hey, the fix is easy! Just grab a glass of water and cheers to you!

Stay hydrated, stay happy!

How much water do you need?

Water, water, everywhere...and not a drop to drink? Okay, that's a lie. We've got plenty of water, and our bodies are begging us to guzzle it by the gallon. See, every day we're leaking like a sieve, water escaping with each breath, sweaty gym sessions, and a bathroom break. It's like our bodies are crying out, "Hydrate me, for the love of all things liquid!"

So, how much do we need to drink to keep our bodies from shriveling up like a raisin? The brainiac´s at the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (try saying that three times fast) did the research and came up with some handy dandy guidelines:

1. For dudes: About 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids a day. That's a lotta water bottles.
2. For gals: About 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids a day. Still a pretty tall order.

And don't even get them started on where that water should come from. Apparently, about 20% should be from food (watermelon, anyone?) and the rest from drinks.

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Now, about that whole "drink eight glasses a day" thing. It's catchy, right? But is it legit? Well, for most folks, sure. Staying hydrated is all about listening to your body and drinking when you feel thirsty. Some of your super-efficient hydrators might get by on less than eight glasses, while others (cough, athletes, cough) might need to chug way more.

So, who are these overachieving hydrators? Well, if you're the type who gets sweaty (hi, runners and yogis!), you need to drink extra water to replace all that lost moisture. Same goes if you live in a sauna (aka the desert) or decide to climb Mount Everest (not that we recommend that).

And let's not forget about all your sickies out there. If you're stuck in bed with a fever, vomiting, or diarrhea (sorry!), you need way more water. Ditto if you have a bladder infection or are trying to pass a kidney stone (double ouch!). And pregnant and breastfeeding folks, you get a gold star for needing extra hydration too!

So, there you have it. Drink up, but don't feel you need to mainline water all day. Unless you feel like going to the bathroom every five seconds, then go for it.

Think about it: a juicy burger is basically just a water balloon with some tasty seasonings, right? Okay, maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration, but you get the point. Food, especially fruits and veggies, is packed with water. Take watermelon, for example (see what we did there?). It's basically just a green rind bowl full of water with some extra nutrients mixed in. Same with cucumbers, celery, and even broth-based soups. So chomping on these waterlogged foods contributes to your hydration goals.

And then there are all the other drinks out there. Milk, juice, tea, coffee they're not just flavorful, they're also basically water with some extras. Heck, even beer is mostly water (don't tell the beer enthusiasts we said that). So, yes, you can get some of your water quota from other drinks.

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Now, before you start celebrating with a soda, remember those empty calories we mentioned? Yep, they're back. Sugary drinks like soda, sports drinks, and sweet tea or coffee are a no-go. They'll dehydrate you more in the long run, plus they're terrible for your waistline and overall health.

So, How Much Water Do You I Really Need?

Honestly, it's not as much as the "eight glasses a day" myth would have you believe. The best way to tell if you're hydrated is your body, if you're rarely thirsty and your pee is pale yellow or clear, you're golden. If you're feeling dizzy or dark yellow pee, grab a glass of water, stat.

But Can I Overdo It on the H2O?

Let's put it this way: it's possible to drink too much water, but you'd have to be really trying. We're talking, chugging a whole gallon in one sitting type of scenario. So, unless you're in a water-drinking contest (are those a thing?), you're probably safe.

For most of us, water is the way to go. It's cheap, calorie-free, and works like a charm. But hey, if you want to mix in some herbal tea or a juice box every now and then, go for it. Just don't overdo it on the sugary stuff.

On the other hand, you can go with a Conversation Mug!

It is $16.00 at the Keith Richardson Sanctuary.

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Thanks, Marie at momentstosip.etsy.com

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