We all know that we need to drink water to stay hydrated. Not only does it flush toxins through the system, it also keeps our skin plump and glowing. But how much do we really need to drink to maintain optimum hydration levels? If we’re still thinking along the 64 oz. a day rule, we could be short-changing ourselves.
Why water?
If we think of the body as a plumbing system, it’s water that keeps the pipes flowing and eliminates sludge from building up. With all the focus on gut health, eliminating waste is top priority. I love this advice that chiropractor and healer, Gina Kim, gave her kids when they ate candy. She’d say:
You can eat that (junk food) after you eat some veggies (carrots, celery, cucumber, salad—we usually had a few they could choose from). Or drink at least two more glasses of water to help balance that stuff you want to eat. Before you eat that, I want you to consider if it’s really worth you eating it.”
Water is one of the most receptive of all the elements and is the greatest receiver and absorber of energy—good and bad. It is worth checking out Masaru Emoto’s amazing studies on water crystals which demonstrate the way water reflects our intentions, thoughts, feelings, and even music. When the thoughts are ugly, the water crystals take on a deformed shape. But when a benediction is said over water, the shapes are in synchronicity—bright and balanced. He says:
Water is the mirror of our hearts.”
Our bodies are mostly made up of water. Interestingly, the world is mostly made up of water too. Coincidence? I think not. Imagine how our own thoughts and feelings impact the receptive water channels in our bodies, and how susceptible we are to picking up those emotions from other people too—even when we are not aware that we are doing it.
How much water should we drink?
Here is a simple formula: divide your weight by 2 and that’s how much water you should be drinking, according to POPSUGAR Fitness. So if you weigh 130 lbs., you need to drink 65 oz. of water daily. Add more glasses if you exercise.
Loads of factors actually determine how much you need to drink, and those factors may change each day. Use this Hydration Calculator to calculate each day’s needs that may change according to amount of exercise, pregnancy, breastfeeding, alcohol consumption, altitude, and climate. Ideally, urine should be light yellow.
So drink up to your good health and remember to switch your plastic bottled water with a non-disposable option! BKR Water Bottles are super stylish and the perfect accessory while on the go.
Years ago, I read a blurb in Psychology Today that talked about how we drink more when glasses are smaller. I took this to heart and bought little water bottles (12 oz) and started drinking from smaller glasses. I drink 3 of my little water bottles in the car on my now-brief commute to work. I drink all 4 if I go to the movies. Great post! Water may cure all ills, I believe.
That is great advice! I find it easier to finish a bottle of water when there’s less in it. I’ve gotta try that. I also have a friend who filled a large jug with the amount of water she needed to consume in a day. By the end of the day, she knew her body got the right amount.
> Always keep an open mind and a compassionate heart~Phil Jackson, Coach
Haha, I do the opposite! I have a 40oz Klean Canteen and I know I only have to a couple of them a day. 🙂 At home, I use 16 oz glasses, too…much less daunting for me, ha ha!
Loving your blog! (I got here via the BITE cosmetics review!), staying for much more. 🙂 Wondering if you’ve done any digging on purifying water in your home. I don’t do bottled because of plastics that may heat up in transport and release various chemicals, and because of environmental impact. I emailed PUR, and they don’t use BPA in their plastics…but all those commerically available filters are plastic plastic plastic…but I can SMELL the chlorine in my tap when I don’t run it through one. Wondering how you solve this! Thanks!