Is Dehydration Stressing You Out?

The winter is so dry here in the Midwest.  

I've been giving a lot of thought to cell regeneration, dehydration, how what we eat and drink transforms our health on a cellular level. How much caffeine (my love) is adding to my winter dehydration? Also, does being dehydrated make a difference in my stress levels?  Honestly asking the question, "Am I drinking enough water everyday?" No, I'm not.

I do admit I don't drink enough water on a daily basis, I really try, honestly I just forget. I even invested in those Swell water bottles to try to stay hydrated and make a cute fashion statement.  Sadly they haven't been used as much as I imagined lately.

So I asked the experts, "What is happening with my body when I don't drink enough water, and is this making me more stressed out?"

Yes, being under hydrated or dehydrated causes stress on a physical level.

HOW MUCH WATER DO I NEED EVERYDAY?
6 to 8, 8oz glasses a day is the standard answer

WHAT ARE SOME SIGNS OF BEING DEHYDRATED?

• Not peeing or having dark yellow pee
  
• Very dry skin
  
• Feeling dizzy
  
• Rapid heartbeat
  
• Sleepiness
  
• Lack of Energy
  
• Nausea
  
• Headaches
  

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF STRESS CAUSED BY DEHYDRATION?
According to WebMD, studies have shown that being just a half a liter dehydrated can increase your cortisol levels, cortisol is a stress hormone.  You are more likely to get dehydrated when you are under stress, because your heart rate is up and you're breathing more heavily, which leads to losing fluid.  Being dehydrated also causes stress on your internal organs, which leads to your body not running well.

HOW CAN WE HELP DE-STRESS?
Drinking water is a great step in the right direction.  Remember we cannot do everything perfect all the time, but drinking water is a heck of lot easier than recovering from stress related illnesses such as heart disease, heart attack, obesity, and a long list of others.

SUGGESTIONS:

• Download a Free Water Drinking Reminder App: Water Tracker, My Water Balance, Daily Water
  
• Buy a refillable BPA Free water bottle
  
• Cut up fruit to add to your water to make it more fun (lemons, limes, raspberries, blueberries, get creative)
  
• Get a Soda Stream Machine, don't like flat water, try carbonated water, try it with fruit!