Are you drinking enough water this winter?

February 01, 2020

Chapped lips? Dry skin? Headaches? Nosebleeds? Dry cough? Fatigue?

These are all signs that you might not be getting enough water this winter. In the summer, when you’re hot and sweaty, your body keeps reminding you that you’re thirsty and NEED water. But in the winter, when you’re cold and shivering, it’s all-too-easy to neglect hydration. Your body doesn’t feel as thirsty, and it’s much harder to recognize that you haven’t been drinking much water. That’s why you have to consciously remember to drink enough water in the winter, when the air is dry and the heater is working overtime.

Drinking more water can help:

Fight Dehydration.

Staying hydrated helps you regulate your body temperature and helps your circulatory system. Proper hydration helps your muscles use their balance of fluids to prevent muscle fatigue. Also, “two large studies found a lower risk of long-term kidney problems among people who drink more water and other fluids daily.” NYT Hydration enables our bodies to flush toxins.

Basically, drinking enough water keeps your body working properly.

Keep the Winter Weight Away.

Water is wonderful for weight loss. Drinking a few glasses of water can keep you from reaching for other, less healthy beverages. Water can also help curb your hunger, making you feel more full. “When we aren’t drinking enough fluids, we don’t have the energy required to break down fat; thus, we often mistake thirst for hunger, leading us to eat more than needed.” Filter Butler

Improve your Skin.

Winter can really take a toll on your skin. From the dry, over-heated air inside to the dry, cold air outside, winter is constantly leaching moisture from your skin. We need moisture to keep our skin cells full and hydrated; dehydration causes skin to chap, crack, and peel. Keep your skin healthy and glowing by drinking plenty of water during these cold winter months. Angel Springs

Give you Energy.

Dehydration is a major cause of fatigue. “Keeping well hydrated will ensure your bodily functions are supported and running efficiently. When you are dehydrated your body functions slow down and use up your extra energy resources, leaving you feeling tired and sluggish.” Angel Springs

Protect your Immune System.

Winter is serious breeding time for viruses, and this cold & flu season has been a rough one. “Dehydration can seriously weaken our immune systems barriers. The lack of water can dry out the mucous membranes in our lungs and sinus passages, which can reduce their resistance to infections. Keeping well hydrated during winter ensures that the barriers used to protect your body from colds and flu are fully functional and completely intact. To ensure you stay fighting fit during the winter, make sure you keep drinking water regularly and fight back against the viruses.” Angel Springs