The body, if not well taken care of, can be a host to various health problems. That is why hydration is vital as you get older to help regulate body temperature. It also helps prevent you from contracting or suffering from diseases easily.
Clean water is a very efficient source of energy for your body. One key to aging gracefully is having a healthy hydration habit. If you are already managing to take eight glasses of water in a day, here are compelling reasons why you need to keep up with the trend:
1. Improves Your Overall Mood
People who drink plenty of water are often in better moods than those who fail to stay dehydrated. It would help if you had good attitudes to handle some of the challenges of old age. It brings in a feeling of refreshment.
2. Prevents Illnesses and Disorders
As you get older, you are at more risk of getting sick due to the decrease in your appetite and activity levels. Some of these diseases are short-term illnesses, while others are chronic diseases such as diabetes or cancer, which you have to live with for the rest of your life. The amount of fluid you put in your body determines its ability to fight off diseases.
3. Enhances Proper Digestion
Some people tend to develop disorders and illnesses as they get older. These complications may require medication. Most of these drugs have an impact on constipation. Sufficient water ensures proper digestion hence reducing constipation. As you get older, you need to increase your water intake to combat various medical side effects.
4. Improves Physical and Mental Health
Your physical appearance can speak a lot about how much water you drink. Your friends and family may not see this, but a doctor or clinical officer can tell by just looking at you. Being hydrated also makes exercise easier hence improving your body’s endurance and recovery speed.
You also get a healthier mind that can withstand the depreciation of your cognitive abilities with age. Older people need to stay dehydrated to avoid negative impacts on the ability to reason and think clearly.
5. Regulates the Body Temperature
As you get older, your body continues to become more incapable of regulating its temperature. Water can help with that function. So you need to drink plenty of water even if you are not thirsty. Older people are mainly affected by this because they do not have the same body checks for temperatures as young people do.
Why is Body Temperature Important?
Did you know that there are heart problems directly associated with heat? Failure to regulate body temperature efficiently can easily lead to some adverse heart problems, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke. As you get older, you become busier, and some of your organs become less active. For instance, the thirst center located in the hypothalamus allows the brain to signal that the body needs water. When body parts become less active, this is the part that makes signals.
When a person in old age gets dehydrated, one of the main first organs to suffer is the kidney. Dehydration creates electrolyte imbalances that can lead to acute kidney failure. As you continue to grow, your tolerance towards cold temperatures becomes worse, and you fall in love with warm temperatures. When you stay in warm environments for too long, there can be excessive perspiration, making you dehydrated unknowingly.
Simple Tips to Ensure You Drink More Water
Some individuals have a hard time staying hydrated by drinking clean water. The following are tips to help you remember to drink water:
1. Always Carry a Reusable Bottle
Keeping a water bottle close to you acts as a visual reminder that you need to drink water. You can carry it to work, school, and when traveling or running errands. It is also safe for the environment instead of buying plastic bottled water for single use only.
2. Drink a Glass of Water Before Each Meal
You can quickly adopt this habit to see an increase of about 720ml of water in your daily intake. When your body mistakes thirst for hunger, a single glass before every meal will help you discover the right feeling. It can also help you reduce weight since you will have to consume fewer calories in the next meal.
3. Sip on Water Throughout the Day
If you have a reusable water bottle, you can fill it with water every morning and consistently sip it throughout the day. Make sure you can find a source of clean water to refill it when it runs out. This strategy will not only fulfill your body’s fluid goals but also prevent your mouth from getting dry while keeping your breath fresh.
4. Flavor Your Water
Some people dislike the taste of water, but this is no reason to avoid drinking water. You can easily add any desired flavor to your water to make the taste more appealing. One healthy and affordable option is fruit infusers that can even combine different fruits to suit your taste. You can also add water enhancers in powder or liquid form. However, some of these contain additives and artificial sweeteners that are hazardous to your health. So, it would be best if you were careful when using them.
5. Drink One Glass of Water Before and After Bed
Some people forget to brush their teeth before going to bed. The result is a horrid smell and dry mouth when waking up. This problem can be solved by making a habit of drinking clean water before and after bed. When you make a habit of introducing your body to a glass of clean water in the morning, it enhances your alertness.
6. Set a Daily Goal
Setting a water intake goal can be motivating and likely to make lasting changes. It is healthy to have a specific target amount you have to drink within a day and keep records that can help you improve or make changes where you are failing.
Wrap Up
As we get older, our bodies become more fragile and demand more attention and care than usual. Health complications rise, but with a healthy intake of clean water, you can reduce these cases and lead a healthier, active life.
