Water makes up around two-thirds or more of your body, and it’s essential to keep everything working properly. It keeps your skin healthy, regulates your temperature, helps with digestion and flushes out toxins. When you lose more fluid than you take in, you get dehydrated. And when that happens, the balance of minerals in your body gets out of synch – and your body just doesn’t work as it should.
Even being just a little dehydrated can make you tired and lethargic – but serious dehydration can be lethal, so it’s really important to drink plenty of fluids. You generally get around 20% of your fluid intake from food, so the rest should be through liquid – and not just tea or coffee, although these can contribute. It’s often recommended that we drink around 6-8 glasses every day, and more if it’s hot or you’re ill or working out a lot.
How can you tell if you’re dehydrated?
This helpful video from first aid charity St John Ambulance explains how to spot and treat the symptoms of dehydration.
Signs that you’re becoming dehydrated include:
- feeling thirsty or having a dry mouth
- dark and strong-smelling urine
- feeling tired or lightheaded
Babies, children, and people who are older or who have diabetes are more prone to becoming dehydrated. If it’s a hot day or you’re exercising a lot, you also need to drink more to replace the fluids you’re sweating out. And if you’re unwell with a sickness bug, it’s really important to drink as much as you can. Rehydration sachets, which you can get from any pharmacy, can help renew the balance of minerals in your body. If you’re very dehydrated, you need to get urgent medical help.
It’s not just plants that need watering – remember to water yourself to stay happy, healthy and be at your best.