Winter Wellness Secrets – #2
Hyration – Such a simple thing, to make sure we’re drinking enough water…although not always so easy to make sure we do!
And the signs of dehydration can be so subtle – everything from lack of focus, dizziness, tiredness, headaches, and bowel upsets, to hunger and a lower immune system. And this can be a tricky one to keep track of, given how busy we can get.
So, do all drinks count? Unfortunately not! Some salty & sugary drinks (and even foods) actually rob our bodies of water! So the best guide, is for adults to drink 1.5-2 litres a day (5 year olds to be drinking 5-6 cups a day, and for 11 year olds to drink 7-8 cups of water a day). Bear in mind that when we exercise, or are in an air conditioned environment, we lose more water, faster.
Take Away – Measure out your water at the start of the day, so that you know the amount you need to drink (simple, although it works.) Likewise, pop a reminder in your phone – it doesn’t need to be technical – simple is effective!
And for kids – find a way to help your child understand how drinking water is something important to do, all day. Make it fun! Help them picture how our bodies are made of 60%+ water, in each of our cells!
Trial a fridge sticker-chart, with a reward gold sticker at the end of the week, once each day’s water is finished.
And what’s not in the water is important too! Even some of the basic water filters available, will really help to reduce the chemicals like chlorine that are added to the main water supply (unless of course you have tank water.)
I remember when I was getting headaches after moving to a house near Auckland city, and I couldn’t figure out why! As soon as we fitted a water filter, my headaches went away!
Fi Jamieson-Folland D.O, is a Lifestyle Consultant, with over 20 years experience in Europe, Asia and New Zealand as a qualified osteopath, educator, writer, speaker and health mentor. She lives in Auckland with her husband Chris, relishing an outdoor lifestyle and time with family and friends
Adapted from Fi’s article published in Sancta Maria Catholic Primary School newsletter – 3.14