Most people only think about drinking water when they are thirsty: “I’m not thirsty and don’t need to drink anything; I’m obviously not dehydrated,” you may say. There’s just one problem with that logic: if you’re thirsty, you’re already dehydrated. But why are we discussing water? Because it has a direct impact on your mental health and overall wellness, believe it or not. So, grab a glass of water, and let’s discuss why you should drink more of it.
Every system in the human body, including the brain, relies on water to function. In fact, water makes up approximately 75% of brain tissue. Research findings show that dehydration has been linked to depression and anxiety because your brain’s activity is primarily responsible for your mental health. To cut a long story short, dehydration causes brain function to slow down and malfunction. It is critical to consider water as a nutrient for your brain.
Consequences of dehydration
Dehydration has been linked to a variety of negative effects, including “degraded mood, increased perception of task difficulty, lower concentration, and headache symptoms,” according to research conducted at the University of Connecticut’s Human Performance Laboratory.
The tests revealed that whether a person had just walked for 40 minutes on a treadmill or was sitting at rest, the consequences of mild dehydration were the same. Mild dehydration is defined as a loss of approximately 1.5 percent of the body’s normal water volume.
The human brain is made up of approximately 75% water. Dehydration causes circulation to slow, resulting in less oxygen reaching your entire body, including your brain. According to scientists, the thirst impulse is part of the body’s complex warning system and should not be ignored, even at low levels. Dehydration can impair cognitive function and, in severe cases, can result in delirium, unconsciousness, and even coma.
Dehydration and Mental Health
Dehydration can have serious consequences for your body. It has been shown to have an impact on both physical and mental health. Because of how it affects the brain, it can have an impact on mental health. As we said, your brain is 75% water, you can imagine what happens when it becomes dehydrated. Systems begin to slow down and eventually cease to function properly.
When this happens, it can lead to depression symptoms because your brain no longer has enough energy to function properly. Depression can also cause a lack of energy, which means you may begin to experience depression-related symptoms. Your body will also be under more stress, which can contribute to both depression and anxiety. If your symptoms are not managed properly, you may experience a panic attack as a result of the anxiety symptoms. While dehydration cannot cause these symptoms on its own, the accumulation of these symptoms over time is directly related to not drinking enough water.
How much water should you drink each day?
It’s been said before, but it bears repeating. Experts recommend that we drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day or about 2 liters, to stay properly hydrated. Your ideal daily water intake is determined by your gender, stress level, weight, climate, level of exercise, and whether or not you are sick. Women should drink 11.5 cups (92 oz.) of water per day, while men should drink 15.5 cups (124 oz.).
By installing the reverse osmosis system you’ll be able to have clean drinking water available at all times. These systems are easy to install anywhere; in homes, apartments, and offices. Proper hydration is especially important for the elderly, children, and diabetics. Our bodies are complex, and in order to maximize our well-being, we must take a holistic approach. Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water is a simple but crucial component of good physical, emotional, and mental health.
Conclusion:
Water does not magically cure depression or anxiety; rather, it keeps your body from becoming dehydrated, allowing it to continue operating normally. Your mental health will eventually stabilize if you become hydrated. As a result, even if drinking water doesn’t always lead to better mental health, it helps prevent things from getting worse.
However, developing the habit of drinking enough water on a daily basis will undoubtedly help alleviate many of the causes and symptoms of mood volatility. Consider it a viable component of your long-term mental health management strategy.
References:
https://nuaquasystems.com/collections/reverse-osmosis-systems
