The thirst is real: What really happens when you hydrate?  

SkincareWellness

Jan 21

Written By

Staying hydrated is HARD these days. Really. You’ve heard of those Apps that track & reward good hydration habits, like drinking water. You may have even downloaded one, and then promptly forgotten about it a week later. But it’s not entirely your fault (thus far). In an era saturated with alternatives, the original remedies have become harder to incorporate. Everyone drinks ‘enough’ water…. to stay alive. What we don’t realize is how underwhelming the bare minimum really is, when it comes to hydration and health. Basically, if we were all actually houseplants, instead of humans, we might collectively be in a lot of trouble. As with so many things wellness-related, the positive effects of hydration can be equally or more-so motivating than the negative consequences of dehydration. Let’s take a look at the new you; fully hydrated so that you may be happy & healthy - not solely because your phone notifies you that’s its water time.

Before we become totally hydrated – what’s it like to be truly ‘thirsty’? And not just the sensation of craving water; it turns out that our body signals that we need water long past the point that we’ve become ‘dehydrated’. The kicker is that we can, and often do, function in a dehydrated state. We just don’t realize it, so we chalk the symptoms (like fatigue, irritability, and headaches) up to other causes. Since our bodies recognize under-hydration before we mentally do, we physically hold on to whatever water we DO have, causing us to ironically retain excess water weight, despite needing water. One very vital internal organ, that good ole’ brain, is comprised of 80% water. Studies show that even slight dehydration impairs it’s abilities, making memory and attention-related operations decline.

A few more noticeably unfortunate results; a lack of hydration also effects bowl-movements, as well as our most-outward facing organ: our skin. When nature calls, dehydration might send it to voicemail. Our colons absorb up to 5 liters of water per day – making it easy to bid our waste ‘adieu’. When we don’t give our body adequate hydration, it becomes noticeably harder to expel said waste. And skin – that practically visually speaks for itself (but medical science has also confirmed the travesties). Think of a dry, cracked, desert landscape. Can you think of a relevant reason why it’s like that? Almost no water. Water keeps our skin supple, when you don’t get enough, the collagen proteins crack and bind together, causing fine lines and wrinkles to become more noticeable. To accelerate the reversal of underhydrated skin, as well as prevent further symptoms, be sure to check out scientifically researched skincare products (pro-tip; Halo Ritual’s Phyto-C E in C & Phyto C Superheal™ Serums for the skin win)…..So, even though being ‘thirsty’ doesn’t always feel dire – if we don’t hydrate ourselves fully, the body can undergo anywhere from rapid to gradual changes, from the inside out. As an automobile runs smoother the more gasoline you have in it, our bodily functions are optimized to the extent that we keep ourselves hydrated; it must feel good to not constantly run your body with the metaphorical gas light on, right?

(Correct). Let’s see what miraculously changes when we get our hydration requirements met (and the transformations that may occur for you that you never even realized were the results of mild dehydration). We can naturally assume that all the consequences of not drinking enough water are reversed; that is also correct. Your bowel movements stay regular, you won’t harbor excess water-weight due to dehydration, you won’t get so many headaches (at least not due from lack of water – unfortunately drinking enough H20 won’t stop your boss from texting you on days off). But it’s likely you’ll also find many other benefits that didn’t seem like they were ‘problems’ before. For example, you might find that not only do you eat a little less (as hunger is so often confused for thirst) but that your metabolism makes a noticeable improvement! Like a real noticeable one. We’re talking 30% here. Researchers estimate that increasing water intake by 1.5 liters a day burn an extra 17,400 calories a year. Not that weight-loss is necessarily an intended outcome of staying hydrated, but if the excess weight is there to spare… that’s 5 pounds, just by doing something we’re supposed to do – and nothing more. The list goes on; your internal organs will make great strides in their ability to fight off potential pitfalls – kidneys become better equipped to fight- off UTI’s (Urinary Tract Infections) and kidney stones, your internal joint (bone) cartilages remain less inflamed, your heart functions better in the ways of blood pressure and heart rate regulation. On a skin-deep level, re-introducing the water it needs to your body makes it more elastic and moister, overall. Our ideal complexions are balanced and calm, and skin relies on water to produce new cells at the right rate, but adding antioxidants into the mix when it comes to skin repair (a tried & tested source being the Halo Rituals Skin Elixir) keep it looking vital.

And finally, on a spiritual (just kidding, also scientific) level, staying hydrated has been proven to boost energy, mood, and memory. Drinking enough water allows hormones and nutrients to flow more easily between cells (the cell membranes now have higher levels of permeability), which means we don’t experience the fatigue (physical, emotional, and mental) of our body trying to overcorrect. Is feeling and looking noticeably better an outcome worth some minor routine changes? That’s for you to decide (over a glass of water, for the love of glowing skin).

Staying hydrated is quite a black & white conversation when it comes to importance – our bodies need it, and while we can function with less than it does need, the physical, mental, and emotional ramifications are far from pleasant. Drinking enough water has become a tricky pursuit in our current ‘Le Croix’ nation; the fact is that water is primarily for survival and functionality. But that doesn’t mean that it’s not also for enjoyment – you WILL enjoy how your body functions when you give it what it needs. And with that – hopefully, you do not* stay thirsty, friends.

* For a deeper dive into products that revitalize and rehydrate that precious skin, take a closer look at Halo Ritual’s Hydration line and super Serums.