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In the mainstream science, water is regarded as essential for life. We know that we need to water plants, and we love to watch animals play in water. But what about ourselves? How much do we need and why? More important, how do we make sure that we get enough water in?

Since our bodies consist of about 72% water, we absolutely need water for normal bodily functions. Here are a few functions of water in the body. Its necessary for normal circulation, it aids normal nervous system functions, and it disposes metabolic waste products.

Water is lost from our bodies because of this elimination. Some waste products can’t be eliminated on its own, it needs a vehicle to take it out. While it is dissolved in water, it can be quickly and easily disposed. Another reason why we need to loose water, is to regulate the body’s temperature.

It’s needed for our survival that we get rid of some water. But the trouble is that we can lose more than we have. At some stage normal functions will slow down and stop, and we’ll die in the extreme scenario. Dehydration is a real danger, that we’re not thinking of that often. Even partial dehydration brings damage to our bodies.

There are a couple of ways we could determine if we are partially dehydrated. Headaches are a normal symptom of dehydration. The darker your urine is, the less hydrated you are. And the number one reason for daytime fatigue is dehydration. Thirst is maybe the first sign of dehydration. Once we get thirsty, it’s almost ‘too late’.

Very soon after you increased your water intake, you’ll notice a difference in these instances.

I once spoke to a friend about the drinking of water. His reaction was that we see it in nature, where animals regularly drink water. If they need it we need it also, was his comment.

As a wellness coach, I advise my clients to follow broad guidelines. And with drinking water I do the same.

There is much debate going on how much water is enough. Some make 8-glasses-a-day a rule, other make your thirst the guideline. The thing is that we need to replace the water that is lost. How we know how much we loose is a different matter.

My suggestion is to take in a little more that what you think is lost. Our bodies were designed to remove excess water quite easily. Some sources say that healthy kidneys could handle up 7 litres of water daily. Other says that it can handle up to 1 litre per hour. Either way, that is a lot of water to drink before we’ll harm our kidneys. So it is far better to drink more water that we need, as opposed to drinking less than we need. Our bodies just get rid of the excessive water supply, but it can’t function optimally without enough water.

The guideline I like is to drink more that 2 litres of water a day.

A lot op people find it difficult to drink 8 glasses a day. Here are some tips that I use to get my water in:
• Start early. Drink one or two glasses of water as soon as you rise.
• Fill a glass container with 2l water and put it where you work.
• Every time you return from the bathroom, drink another glass or two.
• Add some lemon or lime juice to the water. Not only does it improve the taste, it also gives it a better pH.

When you’re hot or exercising, increase your water intake, because you’re losing more fluids.