The importance of being hydrated to optimise our overall health and performance has been emphasised by doctors and medical practitioners for centuries. Understanding that the significant power to healing and recovery lies in a glass of H2O is the first step. Even A-list celebrities like Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez, Priyanka Chopra and several others, swear by water as their top beauty secret.
Since dehydration negatively impacts the body in various degrees; ranging from dizziness, headaches and fatigue to more serious cases such as urinary tract infections, kidney stones and life-long kidney problems, we need to pay closer attention to hydrating.
Here are 3 ways to get the most hydration:
1. The Continual Hydration Approach
The Ayurvedic method of drinking water is known as the Continual Hydration Approach which ensures two outcomes: (i) effective absorption of water and (ii) efficient use of water throughout the body.
This approach involves taking small sips of water frequently throughout the day, at least every 30 minutes. Compared to drinking large volumes of water throughout the day, the Continual Hydration Approach allows for maximum hydration and accelerates the body’s detoxification process.
Benefits of the Continual Hydration Approach:
- Increases energy level and stamina
- Improves health of skin, nails and hair
- Combats premature ageing
- Aids in digestion
- Strengthens the immune system naturally
An easy way to incorporate the Continual Hydration Approach is to fill up your favourite 1L bottle with water (we recommend to use copper infused water that has been stored overnight) and carry it with you throughout the day. This would serve as a visual reminder to take regular sips in between daily activities.
Another hydration hack is to set automatic alerts on your smartphone or better yet, download a water tracker app to remind you to take a sip every 30 minutes.
Once your body and mind are both accustomed to this new hydration method, it will become a more natural routine.
2. Drinking Water at the Right Times
But first, drink water when you wake up
Ayurveda recommends beginning the day with drinking water on an empty stomach. Since our bodies engage in a detox process overnight, we often find that we need to use the bathroom as soon as we wake up to flush out the toxins. By drinking water immediately as we awake, even before brushing our teeth, we can stimulate proper bowel movements to enable the efficient release of toxins.
It is recommended to keep a glass of water or ideally a copper jug (that stores water overnight) on your bedside table as a reminder to hydrate first thing in the morning. In doing so, you will be ready to launch into your day with more energy, vigour and alertness.
Avoid drinking water while eating
To ensure that your digestive system is functioning efficiently, it is important to drink water at least 30 minutes before a meal. This action will hydrate the stomach lining, enabling it to easily produce stomach acid for optimal digestion. It is also recommended to only drink water 2 hours after a meal to avoid feeling bloated.
The reason for the specific hydration windows around meal times is to support the digestive system. Drinking water during meals and too close to meal times will slow down the metabolic rate (also referred to as the digestive fire, agni, in Ayurvedic medicine).
3. Getting the Perfect Water Temperature
As tempting and refreshing a “tall glass of cold water” sounds, especially in tropical climates like Malaysia, it is actually counterproductive.
- Cold water douses the digestive fire thus, preventing thorough food digestion and ultimately increasing toxins in the body
- Cold water causes blood vessels to contract which further increases likelihood of toxins remaining within the body
- Cold water causes poor blood circulation; reducing the delivery (and absorption) of nutrients throughout the body
Therefore, it is recommended to always drink room temperature or lukewarm water to support the lymphatic system and effectively expel toxins from the body.
Benefits of drinking water at room temperature:
- Softens hard tissues
- Cleanses and hydrates deep tissues
- Heals and repairs the digestive system
Drinking water and staying hydrated is the foundation to living a healthy life. But drinking water the right way - in the right amounts, at the right time and temperature - is a game changer.
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