I think it is interesting that you can be so strong in your convictions about health, wellness, and habits and still be wrong about things.  Welcoming growth and having the humility to change previous convictions is so important. If I refused to have humility in my health journey, I would still be a vegan preaching about how animal products will be the end to our health and the planet (I don’t think this is true anymore lol)

Properly hydrating yourself is one of many “root cause” steps you can take to support your overall health and vitality. Most people only emphasize drinking enough water. It can be argued though that most people are chronically dehydrated to a degree due to not consuming the right kind of water and ignoring the importance of hydrating vs. dehydrating foods. 

Symptoms of Poor Hydration

1.            Bad breath

2.           Dry skin, dark circles, poor elasticity

3.           Brittle nails and Limp hair

4.          Chronic fatigue

5.           Brain Fog and Headaches

6.          Constipation/ Poor Digestion

7.          A compromised immune system

8.          Muscle Cramps

Benefits of Proper Hydration

1.            Improved oral health

2.           Glowing, plump skin

3.           Stronger hair and nails

4.          Increase in energy levels

5.           Improved brain function

6.          Improved gut health/digestion

7.           Improves your body’s ability to eliminate toxins

8.          Prevents infection, boosts the immune system

9.          Increases oxygen delivery throughout the body/ better nutrient delivery to cells

10.      Reduction in oxidative stress 

11.         Temperature regulation

Three Common Causes of Poor Hydration:

1. Excess caffeine consumption

•  Caffeine is a stimulant and a diuretic 

•  Excess caffeine consumption can lead to adrenal fatigue. Common symptoms of adrenal overload are dehydration, anxiety, nervousness, and general exhaustion. 

2. Consuming Hydrating foods that have been stripped of their naturally occurring minerals and electrolytes.

• Minerals and electrolytes are the parts of water that bring hydration into the body. Without them, it is difficult for our bodies to properly absorb and utilize the water we are drinking.

Tap water (unfiltered water)

• Tap water is treated to make it safe for consumption. This process not only strips water of many naturally occurring minerals and electrolytes, but it also adds in various chemicals that can affect your health and hydration. The most common additive is chlorine, which along with many other side effects, is incredibly drying for the body both inside and out.

Poor quality bottled water

• Lots of bottled water is filtered tap water. It may not have many chemicals found in tap water, but it still is stripped of naturally occurring minerals and electrolytes. Check ingredients of what else is in bottled water.

Pasteurized juice and dairy

•   Like tap water processing, the pasteurization process can damage the natural balance of minerals and electrolytes in these products. Though there are worst things in life to consume, they are not the optimal option for hydration

3. Processed Foods:

Are designed to make your taste buds and reward centers light up. This is done through additives, chemicals, and unnatural sources and combinations of sodium and sugar. These foods trigger thirst in the body, and when consumed in excess and can bring on chronic dehydration. 

Hydrating Food and Drink Sources

1. Properly Mineralized Water

Spring water, mineral water, or re-mineralized water. 

Spring and mineral water is naturally occurring. You can purchase bottled sources of     this water, or you can consume it directly if you're lucky enough to live near a natural           source.

Re-mineralized Water is water that is “dressed up” to restore its mineral and electrolyte content. You can do this by adding the following to your water source:

-        Fulvic Minerals

-        Trace Mineral Drops

-        Magnesium

-        Lemon Juice 

-        Raw Honey

-        Sea Salt

-        Fruit/ Vegetable juice, Herbs, Cucumbers, etc.

*Keep in mind that while filtered water can remove harsh chemicals like chlorine, it removes beneficial minerals too. For optimal hydration it should be re-mineralized!

2. Unpasteurized fruit or vegetable juice, Full Fat (Whole) or unpasteurized dairy, Fruits, vegetables, and raw (unpasteurized) honey

All these options contain naturally occurring vitamins, minerals, and enzymes that are beneficial for hydration and digestion.  Emphasis is un unpasteurized for hydration as pasteurization can damage the vitamin content and enzymes in the drink. 

My Personal Observations:

Mentally

• I have not been experiencing symptoms of adrenal fatigue (like anxiety, being on edge, having hard energy crashes, etc.)

• More energy, less swings in energy levels

Physically

• It is the first time in my adult life where I have had strong healthy-looking nails.  My Nails used to be brittle and broken 24/7.

• I have also noticed my skin feels more resilient. It does not need as much time to “wake up” in the morning. 

A Holistic Electrolyte Drink Recipe 

Ingredients:
Sea Salt, Raw Honey, Lemon Juice, and Water

 Instructions:
Combine ingredients and stir until everything is dissolved (The water must be slightly warm to dissolve the honey). Add ice and enjoy!