The Daily Health Habit You Can Never Afford to Skip

“My energy is just so low.” This was the number one complaint I heard when people first started working with me as a functional health doctor. It didn’t matter who they were—C-suite execs for large corporations, entrepreneurs with thriving businesses, Hollywood actors, or stay-at-home moms—most everyone complained of low energy at some point during their day. 

If you’re shocked that the average American spends about 4 hours a day feeling tired, I’m not.

In the case of my clients, those with low energy were most often skipping an essential daily health habit that was contributing to their fatigue: proper hydration. Notice I didn’t just mention hydration – it must be proper hydration (because most people aren’t doing it right).  

Properly hydrating your body daily is a foundational health habit. It’s one that you’ve gotta get right because everything else becomes easier when you’ve got this locked in. Many people ask me about advanced longevity treatments and biohacking strategies, but that doesn’t need to be the primary focus until you’re consistent with basic health habits like this. 

Not to mention, making sure you’re properly hydrated will help you get more done and you’ll feel better doing it. Because if you have a killer day and crush all of your goals but feel like garbage by 3:00 (because you’re not taking care of yourself), it just doesn’t feel like much of a win. 

So, let’s keep you highly productive and feeling great in the process. And that begins with water. 

Here’s what I’m covering in this article:

• Why hydration really matters
• How to prevent (even mild) dehydration
• What drinks dehydrate you and which hydrate you
• What to do if you end up dehydrated
• 4 tips for making this health habit easy

Why Is Water Important?

We’ve all been told water is essential, but WHY? 

It’s simple. Your body uses water for just about everything. Your body is mostly water from your large organs down to the cellular level. Even your brain is about 85% water. So it’s unsurprising that you can start feeling “off without proper hydration.”

And you may not even know how “off” you are because daily dehydration has become your norm. That was the case for my wife, Erica, when we first met. She was a Sprite-addicted, fast food junkie who literally gagged at the taste of water (she’ll tell more of her story in future articles). When she started on her health journey, one of the first things I told her to do was to wean herself off the soda by drinking more water. 

When she did this, she experienced a shift that so many of my clients also felt: more energy, greater mental clarity, better skin, and more. She didn’t realize how poorly she had been functioning because her daily normal was to feel like a 5 or 6 out of 10. If you’re not properly hydrating each day, chances are you’re also functioning at a “normal” level that is much lower than what it could be. 

How Water Fuels Your Body

If you didn’t put gas in your car, it wouldn’t drive. If you don’t put enough water in your body, it won’t work the way it should either. Water does a lot of heavy lifting. It: 

• Promotes healthy digestion and the absorption of nutrients
• Aids in blood and oxygen circulation
• Helps the body flush toxins
• Keeps your body at the proper temperature
• Pumps your metabolism

And it also plays a role in the smaller aspects of your life. In fact, it’s said that when your body’s water content drops by only 2%, you can start having brain fog and trouble focusing.

If you’re tired in the afternoons… If your skin lost its glow… If you’re wondering why you’re unable to focus on that project… If you’re having unexplained irritability… you may just need more water.

Knowing how to stay hydrated really is that important.

How To Prevent Dehydration

Prevention is key when it comes to dehydration. You’ll find my rehydration tips below, but by that point, your body is already suffering from all of these symptoms.

Symptoms of not drinking enough water can include:

• Dry mouth/thirst
• Fatigue
• Brain fog
• Decreased urine
• Headaches
• Dry, flakey skin
• Dizziness

And if the dehydration continues, symptoms can become severe:

• Little to no urine output
• Extreme dizziness (you probably wouldn’t be able to walk well)
• Low blood pressure
• Increased heart rate
• Rapid breathing
• Fever
• Sunken eyes
• Confusion
• Fainting
• Seizure
• Shock

So let’s make sure you don’t ever get there. 

MAKE IT EASY: 4 Tips for Staying Hydrated 100% of the Time

1 – Work Your Way Up to Half Your Body Weight in Ounces of Water Per Day

I hate to be so obvious, but it’s worth noting. Some people think you can achieve proper hydration by drinking juice, tea, and other “water-based” but non-hydrating beverages. In fact, I’m sure you’ve heard you’re supposed to drink eight (8-ounce glasses) of water each day. 

That’s a good starting point, but it may not be enough. I recommend drinking half your body weight in ounces of water daily. While that’s generally the starting point for most people, I also believe in customizing wellness based on the individual. 

If I’m having an intense day (like when I’m hosting a big doctor event and have to be on stage all day), I’m drinking more. I drink more if I’m very active, like having a day on the ski slopes or mountain biking. It depends on what’s going on, but half my body weight in ounces is always my baseline.  

I often add a pinch of sea salt or a packet of electrolytes to increase hydration and flush water into the cells. This also helps prevent having to go to the bathroom too often, a common problem for those first making the switch to drinking more water. 

If you wonder if you’re getting enough water, look in the toilet. Your bowel movements can be a good indicator of your hydration. 

If your bowel movements look like pebbles, you’re straining to go #2, or you’re dealing with constipation, it could be a sign of dehydration. 

If you’ve never been a water drinker, you’re probably not going to be able to start drinking half your body weight in water from Day 1 – and that’s okay. Work your way up to that amount by gradually trading your preferred beverage for water. The more water you drink, the easier it will get, and the more your body will crave it. 

2 – Invest In a Large Water Bottle

Nothing will detract you from drinking water more than having to fill a glass multiple times throughout the day. The general recommendation for water drinking was 8 glases a day. I don’t know about you, but my days are packed. I have no time to go in and out of the kitchen multiple times a day to refill a glass of water, and I bet you don’t, either. 

So, invest in a water bottle—a good one. Not plastic, because plastic has its own health concerns. A large stainless steel or glass water bottle is perfect. You want something that you won’t have to fill up half a dozen times a day. 

Before we had kids, I used the glass Voss water bottles. I still like those but had to give them up with a young family. The potential for the glass shattering is too risky. They are, however, a great, inexpensive option. 

3 – Refill Your Bottle the Night Before

When I wake up for the day, I hit the ground running. I’m in the zone: spiritual time, affirmations, workout, cold plunge, healthy breakfast, and then to the office. If my water isn’t ready first thing, I’m most likely going to fall behind on my hydration game that day, and I can’t let that happen. 

So, I’ve taken a page from the ultimate planner: my wife. She fills her water bottle the night before as a reset for the next day and it’s brilliant. It makes it easy and friction-free for me to start hydrating first thing in the morning. I’m a big believer that how you start the day matters. When I don’t take those first few sips during my morning routine, it’s a lot harder to stay in the rhythm of hydrating the rest of the day. 

4 – Add Flavor to Your Water

For those who hate the taste of water, this next tip will definitely help. Adding some flavor to your water can liven things up if you find it unappealing or boring. 

Slicing veggies or fruits like cucumber, lemon, watermelon, celery, strawberries, or pineapples can really improve their taste. You can also look for water bottles specifically made for adding these types of foods. 

What Drinks Dehydrate You?

If you want to know how to stay hydrated, one of the best things you can do is avoid drinks that are dehydrating. Some dehydrating beverages are obvious – like alcohol. Anybody who has had too much knows their body is beat from dehydration the next morning. But other drinks are not as obvious.

Below, I’ll answer some common questions I’ve been asked over the years of working with clients:

Does carbonated water hydrate you?

It actually does. It’s only water and bubbles. Just make sure you aren’t drinking tonic, which still often has just as much sugar as a can of Coke.

Is Tea Hydrating?

It depends. Herbal teas are always a good choice (though avoid any that say “detox” if your goal is hydration).

But does iced tea dehydrate you? Not really. Conventionally, people have believed that the higher the caffeine (like the black tea in iced tea), the less hydration—but science is starting to debunk that. Caffeine is indeed a diuretic, but a glass of iced tea isn’t a huge deal. The greater concern with iced tea is the amount of sugar people often use. 

Does Milk Hydrate?

It does! In fact, some studies have shown that milk may even have a higher “hydration index” than water. But when it comes to milk, there are definitely some drawbacks. Many people are sensitive to cow’s milk, which can lead to digestive issues. Secondly, it’s an unnecessary source of sugar. One cup of cow’s milk naturally has about 13 grams of sugar. These are just a few reasons I don’t recommend milk as a primary hydration source. Water is the best bet. 

When are sports drinks appropriate for hydration?

We often hear, “Drink a Gatorade,” after a sweaty workout or sports game or even after a fever or stomach bug. That’s because the body greatly benefits from electrolytes, a combination of minerals like potassium, sodium, and chloride.

Electrolytes increase or decrease based on our water consumption. So when we sweat, we lose them. Sports drinks like Gatorade replenish electrolytes but come at a cost: added coloring, high sugar or high artificial sugar, and preservatives. 

Coconut water is a better option. It naturally has all of those—just make sure you choose a brand with no added sugar (I also choose organic, non-GMO brands).

How To Rehydrate

Even though preventing dehydration is the key, knowing how to rehydrate correctly is important, too.

Drink Water Correctly

You may think that rehydrating quickly is all about chugging gallons of water. But that’s not the case at all. Drinking too much too fast – especially when you’re dehydrated – will make your stomach upset (which could lead to vomiting, something you completely want to avoid) or too much urination (also something you want to avoid).

When you’re dehydrated, start sipping immediately. And keep sipping consistently. But don’t chug.

Focus on Electrolytes

Remember: when you’re dehydrated, your body is missing more than just water. It is also low in essential minerals. That’s why you need an electrolyte drink. Drink coconut water or add an electrolyte powder to your water. 

Conclusion

Staying properly hydrated throughout the day is one of those essential health habits that you simply can’t afford to skip. If you want to ensure that you’re supporting your energy, mental clarity, digestion, and really, your entire body throughout the day, make proper hydration a top priority. In fact, this is the very first habit that we suggest you build for sustainable wellness and longevity. 

ARTICLE SUMMARY

• Proper hydration is the #1 health habit that a high performer can never afford to skip.
• Poor hydration could be fueling your low energy, brain fog and digestive issues
• Water is an essential resource for your body to function well each day
• Proper hydration is the most foundational health habit and the one we recommend you start with

Make this health habit easy by:

• Working your way up to drinking half your body weight in ounces of water per day
• Investing in a large water bottle to avoid refilling glasses
• Setting yourself up for success by refilling your water bottle every night
• Adding flavor to your water to make it more appealing

Sources

1. http://www.emedicinehealth.com/dehydration_in_adults/page3_em.htm
2. http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/dehydration-adults#1-3
3. http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/sparkling-water-healthy-regular-water-article-1.1460179
4. https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/06/30/milk-and-other-surprising-ways-to-stay-hydrated/
5. https://liveto110.com/what-kind-of-water-should-i-drink/
6. http://fortune.com/2017/04/19/coca-cola-pepsi-dr-pepper-soda-water/