You are probably aware that drinking enough keeps you alive, but you may not know that it plays many other important roles. Most of your body is made of fluid and every organ needs it to function well. If you are an athlete just a small amount of dehydration can make a huge impact on your performance.
Some other facts you may not know is that dehydration:
- Makes you more sensitive to pain.
- Decreases your body’s ability to heal wounds.
- Can increase your risk of falls.
- Can make you constipated.
- Overall decreased quality of life.
So how much do you need a day? This is dependent on many factors including the types of medication you may be taking. A good guide though is 35mls per kilogram of your body weight. When you exercise you need an additional 600-800mls more.
Take home message: Whatever it takes from setting an alarm on your phone to carrying around a water bottle, make sure you are giving your body the fluid it needs for optimal function.
