Start your day with this!

The best thing you can do for yourself each day is so simple, but it’s often overlooked.

I know this because I myself — a person who cares a great deal about healthy living — have neglected it for years.

What is it? Drink enough water.

And even more importantly: drink some first thing.

That’s right; get up in the morning and before doing anything else — except maybe going to the bathroom  — drink a glass of water.

Here’s why. During the night, we lose water. We get dehydrated. Either slightly or majorly, depending on our overall hydration level. Drinking in the morning replenishes our body with essential liquids to keep us sharp, productive, energetic, and “regular” (*ahem*).

Your body needs water for everything! Water helps flush out toxins, carry nutrients to cells, provides a moist environment for your ears, nose and throat, keeps your digestive and elimination systems flowing, and more.

Credit: http://gnowfglins.com

My Story: Chronic Dehydration

Recently, I realized that I was chronically dehydrated. I could tell because my skin was more dry, my mouth felt dry and thirsty, and I started to have elimination issues. (Sorry for TMI, but I really want you to know the truth.)

Then I listened to a podcast where Shawn Stevenson from The Model Health Show was the guest, and he talked about the importance of taking an “inner” bath each morning by drinking 3 to 4 cups of water upon waking. He said: most people bathe outwardly each morning to get ready for the day, but taking an inner bath is even more important.

I’ll tell you what… the very first day I woke up and drank water, I got instant results. This confirmed for me that I have been dehydrated, and I vowed to turn it around.

And now, after many weeks of drinking first thing in the morning and then regularly throughout the day, I am much improved. I’m committed to keeping it this way!

How Much Water Do You Need?

Our needs for water vary according to who we are, our activity level, and outside conditions. The old adage of “8 cups a day” may not be true for you. You may need more; you may need less. How do you know?

Well, do you feel thirsty? That’s a sign you should drink more.

Are you constipated? That’s another sign.

Dry skin, nails, hair? Yep. Drink more.

Not losing weight? Though many factors are at work here, perhaps simply drinking more water will help.

You will know best whether or not you’re dehydrated.

If you’re not sure, try drinking more water for a day or two just to see if anything improves — perhaps your mental clarity, your outlook on life, or things you didn’t really realize were suffering.

What Kind of Water?

Not all water is created equal. Fluoridated, chlorinated municipal water is not a good choice for drinking water. In fact, it could be considered poisonous.

Good water choices are: clean well water; clean and true spring water; or filtered water.

This post will not cover filtering options, but I do need to say that reverse osmosis filtered water has had minerals removed and so re-mineralization is necessary to make it healthful. (In my recipe below, I add liquimins.) Continue Reading  >> Page 2