Staying Hydrated

We all know the importance of staying hydrated throughout the day – but are you sure you’re drinking enough to stay hydrated? Here are the signs that will tell you when your body might be dehydrated:

1. Headache

A pounding head during the day is a sure sign that your hydration levels have dropped. The more water you lose, the more your blood volume drops – and the worse your headache will be.

2. You’re Hungry

Do you feel starving all the time? This might be your body, telling you you’re actually thirsty.

3. Yellowish Urine

Dark urine is the surest sign of dehydration. The higher the rate of waste to water, when you’re dehydrated, the darker your urine is.

4. You’re Dizzy When You Stand Up

When there isn’t enough water in your body, the blood volume and pressure drop, causing the feeling of dizziness, often accompanied by a pounding headache.

5. Constipation

Your digestive problems might have a single solution: water. It helps flush the waste through the body – hydrate yourself to improve your digestive health!

6. You’re Sleepy

You’ve just woken up and you’re already tired? Your fatigue might be due not to lack of sleep, but lack of water, instead.

7. Dry Mouth

This is usually the first – and, ironically, most neglected – sign of dehydration. A dry mouth is often accompanied by a swollen tongue and is a sure sign you need to grab a glass of water.

8. Muscle Pain

Hydration improves the electrolyte balance in your body, which prompts efficient muscle contraction. If you’re experiencing muscle cramps, this might mean you’re not drinking as much water as you should and need to replace electrolytes lost.

9. You Don’t Sweat

Not sweating is not necessarily a good thing: it might mean that your body doesn’t have an adequate amount of water. When you’re dehydrated, chances are that you can quickly over-heat, because your body simply cannot cool itself by sweating.

10. Your Skin Doesn’t Bounce Back

Hydration is important for your looks, too. Pinch your skin and see how fast it bounces back. If it stays in place, you’re likely suffering from moderate to severe dehydration and you need to start hydrating yourself as soon as possible.

—