Water

Drinking sufficient water is perhaps the most important thing you can do for your body. Your physician will probably tell you that it is essential that you drink eight glasses of water per day in order to keep properly hydrated, but he (she) rarely has the time to talk to you about it and to inquire about how much water you are drinking. Many physical disorders are simply the result of being dehydrated. Stress disorders can also be influenced by not getting enough water. The nervous system (just like all the other body systems) cannot function properly without sufficient water.

The amount of water you need depends to some extent on your size. If you are big you probably need eight or more eight-ounce glasses per day. If you are small, six may be enough. Of course, when you exercise you need even more water. Most people do not drink nearly enough water because they do not get thirsty; and, ironically, they do not get thirsty because they do not drink enough water. If you start drinking more water, you will probably find that you get thirsty more readily.

A good way to start the day is to drink one or two glasses of water in the morning when you first get up. This is especially helpful because you get dehydrated in the night, simply from breathing, perspiring, and urinating. If you have to get up in the night, that is a good time to remind yourself to drink some water. Many people find that it works out well to place an insulated pint-size mug of cold water on the bathroom counter at bedtime. Then in the night or in the morning it is already there looking attractive to you. If you drink two glasses of water in the morning and one glass with each meal, that goes a long way toward getting to your goal of six or eight glasses.