Why You Should Make Water Your New Years Resolution

We all know that drinking water is important but do we really know why?

Water is essential for how your body functions, and can make all the difference in how you look and feel.? Water really is the true elixir of life, the H2O that makes all plants, animals, and human beings thrive.?

But what does drinking water do to your body?

The short answer is a lot.?

Water is incredibly powerful and can even have an effect on our mental and emotional states.?

Your body depends on water to help regulate its temperature, move nutrients and maintain other bodily functions.? Drinking plenty of water will also help with your exercise routines and improve your metabolism, which means you burn more calories.

Below are some reasons why water is such a powerful element when it comes to your health:

1) Water Aids in Digestion?

Water helps flush waste from your body through your kidneys and liver. If you don't drink enough water, the filters in these organs cannot do their job and your digestion suffers.?

2) Water Helps Your Brain Function Optimally?

Your brain is predominantly water and it needs plenty to function properly. Even slight dehydration can interfere with thinking skills, concentration and memory.

3) Water Prevents You From Becoming Dehydrated?

It's easy to forget this, because it seems so obvious: water prevents dehydration. But people do dehydrate. And one reason they do is that drinking water doesn't always seem worth the trouble or people forget.

4) Water Keeps You Cardiovascular System Healthy

Drinking water can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (an umbrella term for many diseases, including heart attacks and strokes) which are the number one killer in the United States.?

5) Water Protects Your Spinal Cord and Joints

Water protects your tissues, spinal cord and joints by acting as a shock absorber that dampens the impact of daily wear and tear on joints, such as your knees and hips. As we grow older, many of us lose some of the cushioning in our joints because we naturally lose some water from our joints as we age. Keeping yourself well hydrated can help slow down this process.

Did you know your body is made up of trillions of cells??

Cells require water to function properly. Each of your organs is made up of many different types of cells that all must communicate and work together in harmony to ensure optimal functionality. If any one cell is unhealthy or dies, it can negatively affect the whole body and cause disease.

With this in mind, it is particularly important to understand the signs that your body needs more water, and to be able to replace that fluid effectively when necessary.?

The reason being, within your body, each cell, tissue, and organ is composed mostly of water. Even your brain is made up of nearly 80% water.

How much water you drink affects everything from your mood and metabolism to your skin complexion and energy levels.?

When we sweat, digest food and even breathe, your body loses water content.

So in order to stay hydrated, you need to drink fluids and eat foods that contain water.

To get an accurate reading on how much H20 you should be drinking, you will have to take into account your weight, temperature, activity level and even the type of work you are doing.?

If you aren't sure how much you should be drinking, here's a simple rule of thumb: Take your weight in pounds and divide by two. That number equals the ounces of water you should be consuming each day.

Water is almost everywhere you look. You can even find it in the air. But you should also remember that not all water is the same.?

It comes from many different sources, contains many different minerals and substances, and undergoes many different treatments before it reaches your tap.?

If you’re drinking tap water, for example, consider investing in a filtration system or filter on your faucet to help minimize contaminants.?

Bottled water isn’t perfect by any means, but it might be a better choice for those who live in situations where tap water has known contaminants.?

Ultimately, the difference between those who suffer from chronic dehydration and those who don’t comes down to the amount of responsibility each person feels toward their own health.

Though it may seem inconvenient at first, creating a regular hydration regimen can reap numerous benefits, both physically and mentally over time.?

The bottom line is that drinking water throughout the day is good for you, and it’s not difficult to do.?

The only question then is why we aren’t all doing it??

I know I know… it’s so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life and forget to stay hydrated, but once you remind yourself of how important hydration really is, I think it's safe to assume that you will find a way to drink more water!