Health
Your Need for Water
Goes Beyond Quenching Your Thirst BY AMANDA ROLAND
Water, a building block to all life. Us humans are made up of at least 60% of it, and it covers 71% of our Earth’s surface, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. We don’t think about it often, but without water, we wouldn’t be able to do everyday tasks like exercising or focusing at work.
CASCATE DEL MULINO, TUSCANY, ITALY
DRINKING WATER
regulates our body temperature We all know that drinking water while you exercise is important, but do you know why? It is because the water that we drink allows our bodies to regulate temperature so that we don’t overheat. When we exercise, we sweat — some more than others. Sweating is our body’s voluntary way of cooling us down, and if you do not drink enough water to replenish your body after a long sweat-sesh, you could suffer from dehydration, according to Healthline, an online health resource.
WITHOUT WATER
our brains don’t function correctly Many studies, including one from the International Journal of Psychophysiology, say that a lack of hydration can have a serious impact on memory and brain performance. This means that drinking water in the morning, throughout the day and especially after a workout can help your brain stay in tip-top shape no matter what the day brings! Men should be drinking about 15.5 cups of water a day, and women should get about 11.5 cups a day, according to the Mayo Clinic.
LIVING BY THE WATER
could improve your well-being No wonder water-front properties have always been all the rage! A study published in the Health & Place journal surveyed a group of adults living in the capital city of
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Wellington, New Zealand. The city sits on a small peninsula, which means it is almost completely surrounded by the ocean. The study found that those living in Wellington with higher visibility of “blue space” experienced less psychological distress. So, take that beach vacation or go visit that lake house — it’s good for you!
SWIMMING IN OCEANS AND SPRINGS allows your body to absorb minerals Many bodies of water that we swim in contain precious minerals that are healing to the body. For example, various hot springs around the world like Cascate del Mulino in Tuscany, Glenwood Hot Spring in Colorado and Pamukkale in Turkey are renowned for their health and healing benefits. This is because these springs are mineral-rich, containing minerals like boron, potassium, calcium and zinc just to name a few. When you spend time in these waters, your skin absorbs some of these minerals into your body through transdermal absorption, according to Glenwood Hot Springs, located in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. These minerals combined with the heat of the springs create a soothing, natural remedy for painful joints, skin disorders and even depression. Similarly, spending a lot of time in the ocean can help clear up your skin if you suffer from acne or psoriasis, and it can also help clear up sinus pressure. Overall, spending some time in our Earth’s natural bodies of water can do wonders for our bodies.
PAMUKKALE, TURKEY
GLENWOOD HOT SPRING, COLORADO
