Hydration Vs. Flushing
I mentioned this last summer, but I think it bears repeating. Plus there are some new members to our community.
I don’t know about you, but I sometimes forget to drink water and then I pick up a glass and drink it all at once. Although this is potentially better than nothing, it is a poor way to Hydrate the body. When we drink a large amount at one time a few times a day - this could be considered Flushing. The body can only absorb about 2-3 small drinks at a time. When you drink a large amount, most of it leaves quickly “flushing” out the system. This can also flush minerals out of our system leaving us further depleted.
Consider sipping water throughout the day. In Ayurveda they encourage us to sip room temperature or warm water as cold food and beverage dilute our digest fire (Agni) since the first thing the body has to do when anything cold enters is use it’s precious energy to warm the food/beverage up in order to digest it. I find that if I have a cup or bottle with me throughout the day, I tend to drink it little by little and definitely feel more hydrated.
How much? Well, we all have different bodies. I am personally not great at paying attention to signs of thirst when I’m “busy”, so I grab my bottle when I see it and take a sip or 2 and try to do that many times throughout the day.
Here are some helpful signs to know if you are NOT getting enough water. If your lips are chapped - you’re dehydrated. If you are hungry - you may be dehydrated. If you’re urine is dark yellow - you are dehydrated. So listen, learn, and get to know what the signs are of you not drinking enough.
Also during these hot days where we are sweating a lot... consider using natural electrolytes (trace minerals) in your water to help replenish the body.
4 cups of water
1/2 lime, juiced
2 to 3 teaspoons maple syrup
Pinch of mineral salt, pink Himalayan salt, or sea salt
10 to 15 fresh mint leaves (optional)
Put all the items in a quart jar and cover. Shake a few times to mix up the ingredients. You can strain off the mint or if you’re lazy like me... you can chew the mint leaves after swallowing the water. I also tend to make it in slightly smaller batches so I don’t have to store the water in the fridge.
Stay cool and HYDRATED peeps!!! Love you!!!