10 tips and reasons for getting and staying hydrated and healthy

Some people are afraid of surfing because they feel it’s a risky business, but actually it’s the mundane little things that can pose the most problems in the surf. A common one we see here in the tropics is sun burn and dehydration.

We are made up of roughly 70% water and while we can live a long time without food, we can only live a few days with out water.

Now with so many choices of beverages to choose from such as specialty coffees, energy drinks and juices, we forget that these don’t actually ‘hydrate’ our body and most people are chronically dehydrated and don’t even know it.

Also often we don’t realise how much we are sweating in the surf or during a yoga class, but it doesn’t take much for the body to become dehydrated without any warning.

It is the brain that is the first place in the body to become dehydrated. 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy thinking. Lack of water is the number one reason for day time fatigue.

Dehydrated brain equals poor concentration, fuzzy thinking and mood swings, plus it can show up in other dramatic ways such as dizziness, nausea, vomiting, body aches, lethargy and headaches – much like having the flu!

That’s why we have a mantra on your retreat with our guests… drink, drink, drink! (water that is)… And take a bottle of water wherever you go!

10 tips and reasons for getting and staying hydrated:

1: Detox with Water: Muscles are 75% water, blood around 83% water, and bones 22% water. Water is essential for carrying waste material out of the body. It’s involved in nearly every body process including digestion, absorption, circulation and excretion. It’s vital in transporting nutrients throughout the body.

2: How much water: Drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day (about 1.9 liters). This may vary of course during hot weather (like being in the tropics) and when your doing physical activities like surfing.

3: Stay hydrated at night: Keep water beside your bed.

4: Carry a water bottle: One of the simplest ways to keep a fresh supply of water flowing throughout your muscles, blood, brain and bones is to carry a water bottle everywhere with you.

5: Eat your water: Fruit is 90% water. Grapes and oranges can be as high as 98% water content. My favorite fruit snacks at the moment are strawberries and grapes.

6: Natures Sports Drinks: Young coconut water, Watermelon, cucumber, honeydew and cantaloupe are an excellent source of water, sugar and electrolytes.

7: Add flavor to your water: In case you get bored with the taste of water add a slice of lemongrass or some raspberries and rose petals (a favorite at our retreats). Studies have shown that people drink 45% more water when flavoured. Add Fruit to your water to mix up the flavour!Add Fruit to your water to mix up the flavour!

8: Hot Water Or Ginger Tea: In Winter when its not so easy to drink water, enjoy sipping on plain hot water or spice it up with a slice of ginger. Hot water removes toxins, has a hormone balancing effect and warms your digestive organs according to Ayurvedic Medicine.

9: Drink and Lose Weight: Water is an absolutely essential element during your fat burning program or diet. The reasons you should drink water to lose weight are simple. On average, water makes up 60% of your total body weight. Additionally, your muscles consist of approximately 70% of your muscles. Therefore, drinking sufficient water is necessary to keep your body functioning efficiently.

10: Check in with your body: If you are too busy living “in your head” you can easily forget about the basic needs of your body. Stop, take a few deep breaths and ask your body if its thirty. Often our body confuses thirst for hunger, so before you reach for the snacks have a big glass of water first.

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