Okay, so we're losing weight and shaping up (hopefully) - now lets not forget our general health. Make sure that you set some time aside to spend on yourself. Its easy to let yourself go and start feeling below par - when you start to feel low that's when you are prone to snacking again.
Water, like oxygen, is crucial to our survival. We can go for weeks without food, but without water we would die within just a few days.
In the West, we take water for granted. This simple chemical compound is one of our most precious resources - worshipped throughout history for its life-giving qualities, and as a source of health, healing and even spiritual renewal.
By drinking more water we can maintain and improve our health. This means not waiting until we feel thirsty - but drinking water regularly throughout the day. Plain water is the best drink: alcohol should not count towards fluid intake, while coffee and tea are both diuretics - they simply make us lose more water. Soft drinks are usually high in sugar (which can lead to obesity and tooth decay) and sometimes other additives. Even fruit juice contains natural sugar and too much should not be consumed.
Are you drinking enough water?
Lots of people are posting messages on the site asking about the benefits of drinking water. Few of us drink enough water and we should think hard about the benefits it can bring us.
Water is a good force for your complexion, keeps your joints healthy, helps maintain energy levels and aids the digestive system.
Drinking water not only quenches our thirst - it is essential for many vital bodily functions. These include transporting food throughout the digestive tract, flushing out waste and toxins, maintaining fluid balance and regulating body temperature.
What happens if we don't drink enough water?
Early signs of dehydration may include:
- Headaches
- Inability to concentrate
- Constipation
- Irritability
Additional symptoms may be aches and pains, nausea, dry or cracked skin and reduction in blood pressure.
How can we make sure that we drink enough water?
Evidence has shown that only one in ten people in the U.K population drink as much water as they should and studies have shown that one in four people are not drinking water on a daily basis.
Plain simple water is the best drink. I use a Brita water filter and the difference is fantastic. Not only do I have ice-cold water, it has no unpleasant taste. By using the water filter we calculated that the cost per litre is 3p as opposed to an average cost of bottled water of 45p per litre. Based on two litres a day, a water filter would net you an annual saving of a staggering £306.60. Find our water filters in our shop.
Did you know?
The human body is made up of almost 70% water - that's about 45 litres for the average man and slightly less for women.
Healthy young skin holds as much as 8 litres of water, so tell -tale wrinkles and dry flaky patches are signs that you may not be getting enough water.
Experts recommend we drink a healthy 2 litres of water a day to keep body and mind in tip top condition, but studies have shown that only 19% of people in this country manage that amount.
Tap water in the UK is disinfected with chlorine to kill bacteria. While this is perfectly safe, many people find the taste unpleasant which is why a water filter is the perfect way to achieve a fresh clean taste.
In hard water areas, calcium can cause lime scale, which furs up the kettle and leaves an unsightly film on tea - a water filter will eliminate this.
