Let's Talk, Hydration!
We all know that staying hydrated is essential to our health and wellness. Drinking enough water each day is vital for several reasons:
Regulate body temperatures
Keep Joints Lubricated
Prevent Infections
Deliver Nutrients to Cells
Keep Organs Functioning Properly
Improves Sleep Quality, Cognition, and Mood
Regardless of the endless benefits of staying hydrated, still, so many of us struggle to get our daily water intake.
We're going to talk about different ways to ensure that your body is always hydrated and functioning at its best.
Straight Up.
Try to 8-10 glasses of purified water every day (approx 2 litres). Drink as you go throughout your day.
Even better, try to drink 2 glasses in the morning before you have anything else.
You lose a lot of water while you sleep just from breathing, similar to how you can fog a mirror with your breath. Re-hydrating first thing in the morning will wake up your digestion and help keep your cells in excellent shape. It will also help balance the hormonal responses that tell you that you're hungry when you're really not.
Preparation makes it easier.
I recommend filling three large water bottles of purified water the night before and have it ready for the next day.
Use Filtered Water.
Your liver is already one of your hardest-working organs and is in charge of filtering your water if you don't. Incorporating filtered water into your hydration routine makes things a little easier for your body, and your skin will love you for it too.
Hydrating foods.
There is an abundance of hydrating foods that you can incorporate into your diet to boost your hydration levels.
A good cup of bone broth is a great way to increase your hydration levels. Not only is it comforting in the colder months, but it is also super versatile and provides countless health benefits.
Bone broth has been used for centuries as a healing food for anything from cold and flu symptoms to ailments that affect connective tissues (gastrointestinal tract, joints, skin, lungs, muscles and blood).
It is also surprisingly filling, making it a great addition to any smaller meals!
Hydrate Your Body with High Water Content Fruits and Vegetables.
This list is truly endless, but here are some of the most hydrating fruits and vegetables commonly available:
Strawberries 92%
Blueberries 95%
Rock Melon 90%
Pineapple 87%
Cucumber 96%
Zucchini 94%
Tomato 94%
Drink a hot mug of peppermint tea after dinner (or really any time of the day).
We all know how much I love tea and peppermint tea is one of the best you can find!
"Peppermint tea has been used for centuries to aid digestion. Studies have shown that it helps relieve gas and bloating and reduce heartburn and indigestion."
It's also a delicious post-meal treat with no sugar, excess energy to burn off, or caffeine, so it makes a wonderful after dinner health ritual.
Added bonus: many people find this post-dinner habit really replaces cravings for sugary desserts.
By incorporating peppermint tea into your daily routine, you'll be helping your digestion, hydrating your body, and nourishing your senses.
Be sure to read the ingredients and choose a peppermint tea that contains only peppermint (or a blend of natural herbs if you'd prefer). Also, be sure it doesn't have any additives or caffeine and opt for a sugar-free option for the most benefits.
Introduce Supplements.
Supplements are designed to supplement anything that you're not getting in your diet already. If you're struggling to get your hydration levels to where they thrive, incorporating some hydrating supplements into your daily routine is a great and easy way to ensure that you're body is functioning at its best.
Find some of my favourite hydrating supplements below:
COMPLETE HYDRATION
Complete hydration is helpful for before, during or after strenuous exercise. It's full of antioxidants, Vitamin C and helps to fight free radicals created during exercise. It features Carbohydrates that support energy levels to ensure that you're able to carry on past the finish line.
Contains the electrolytes magnesium and calcium
Features an antioxidant blend of vitamins A, C, and E to fight free radicals created during exercise
Formulated for men and women 18 and older to support all
levels of competitive activity
Prepared with water, Complete Hydration promotes adequate fluid intake
Complete hydration may assist in supplementing the diet during training
Tropical berry flavour
Formulated without artificial flavours, colours or sweeteners
Formulated without gluten
KEY INGREDIENTS
Calcium
Magnesium
Antioxidant Vitamins A, C and E
ARBONNE PHYTOSPORT AFTER WORKOUT
Exercise can be strenuous, and without a healthy recovery, it can be challenging to bounce back. After Workout delivers an ideal (2:1:1) ratio of branched-chain amino acids that help alleviate exercise-induced muscle soreness to support recovery. A unique antioxidant from pomegranate helps combat free radicals. Add to water or an Arbonne Essentials.
Meal Replacement Shake to make a nutrient-rich recovery shake for additional muscle repair and recovery.
Branched-chain amino acids support muscle repair and protein synthesis.
Helps build lean muscle tissue when combined with regular weight-resistance training
Contains ingredients that may help alleviate exercise-induced muscle soreness and promote recovery from normal exercise-induced muscle damage
Mix with water or add to an Arbonne Essentials Meal Replacement Shake for a post-workout protein and nutrient boost
Formulated for men and women 18 and older to support all levels of competitive activity.
Formulated without artificial flavours, colours or sweeteners
Formulated without gluten
SKIN ELIXIR COLLAGEN BUILDER WITH HYALURONIC ACID
Drink in the glow! The Skin Elixir helps build collagen, an essential skin component, helping it keep its bounce and resilience. It nourishes thirsty skin from within with essential hydration to help maintain healthy-looking skin and allow your natural radiance to shine through every day.
Açaí flavoured spa water
Formulated with non-GMO ingredients
Formulated without gluten.
Vegan formula
ENERGYFIZZ GINSENG FIZZ STICKS
Get the natural boost you need to make it through the day. Whether used as a replacement for your morning coffee or for a mid-afternoon pick-me-up, simply mix this vegan, an effervescent dietary supplement with water.
Designed to help increase energy levels while temporarily relieving fatigue, EnergyFizz supports both alertness and cognitive performance.
Its vegan blend of Ginseng Root, antioxidant Coenzyme Q10, Chromium, and B vitamins (including Riboflavin and Niacin) are joined by naturally-derived Caffeine from Guarana and Green Tea.
Available in a variety of great-tasting flavours, this dietary supplement helps support energy levels. Formulated without artificial colours, flavours or sweeteners; formulated without high fructose corn syrup, dairy or soy.
Key Ingredients
Guarana supports energy
Ginseng Root helps support physical capacity and performance
Coenzyme Q10, an antioxidant, helps fight free radicals
Chromium helps keep healthy blood sugar levels already in the normal range
Riboflavin helps metabolise carbohydrates, fats and proteins to provide energy
Niacin helps support the energy-yielding metabolism of macronutrients
At the end of the day, you need to do what works best for you and your body. Whether you're adding supplements or incorporating peppermint tea into your routine, the important thing to remember is to ensure that your body is getting the hydration it needs to perform its best every single day.