Drink More Water

With a mid-week holiday, it can be challenging to feel the at the top of our game when we return to work Thursday and Friday. As the year winds down and you begin making commitments for improvements for your lifestyle, consider drinking more water to be one of your top decisions for 2014. Start Thursday and Friday as an experiment and see if it doesn't help diminish some of the sugar plum and Santa cookie hangovers you might be experiencing.

With all things being equal for new year's resolutions, drinking plain water everyday is the simplest action we can take to make an overall improvement in our health across the board. You'll know you're drinking enough water because when you pee your urine will be of no color. If it's yellow, then you're too mellow with your water.  Here's a partial list of reasons to drink more water.

1.   Improve exercise time and lose weight--water is a temperature regulator during intensive exercise and it's an appetite suppressant.

2.   Increase energy and relieve headaches. Dehydration is the primary cause of tension headaches. Without adequate water intake, your heart works harder. Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States. 

3.   Reduce your risk of some cancers. Some studies show that drinking adequate water may help reduce the risk of colon and bladder cancer. 

4.  Fewer cramps and strains. With your joints and muscles properly hydrated, you'll be at  lower risk for injury.

5.  Healthier skin. When you're hydrated, your skin is moisturized and has better elasticity.

6.  Reduce constipation and help your kidneys. Drinking water along with eating foods with plenty of fiber help a gal and a guy stay regular. Your kidneys are efficient in ridding the body of toxins with the right amount of hydration. With enough water, you'll help yourself avoid painful kidney stones.

7.   If you notice you'ld rather crawl under your desk for a nap after lunch rather than answer another email, then drink a glass of water or two. Our brains are mostly made of water, so drinking extra water in the afternoon can help you finish the day on a productive note. 

8.   Alleviate feelings of anxiety. If you feel jittery after celebrating the New Year, you can thank the dehydration and electrolyte imbalance from drinking extra alcohol. If you haven't resolved to give up alcohol, then add water to reduce the next day's hangover anxiety. If you have an event that provokes anxiety, drink water before and after you participate to calm your nerves.

So cheers for 2014 and go have a glass of water!

Brenda Henning is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in New Mexico. 
www.greatlifegifts@gmail.com