You need at least eight glasses of water a day to stay hydrated, and this is nothing new. But the modern lifestyle involves many responsibilities that often make you feel like you don’t have enough time to finish them. That’s why it’s becoming increasingly easy to neglect yourself and forget to hydrate properly.
Science shows that when you drink water at the right times of the day, you can avoid a number of common problems, such as stomach pain, bloating, fatigue, overeating, constipation, high blood pressure, etc.
So, here are the 7 most important times of the day when is the right time to drink water:
1. Drink 1-2 glasses of water as soon as you wake up
When you drink water on an empty stomach in the morning, you help your brain and body to get out of drowsiness. At the same time, water will help you get rid of any free radicals and toxins accumulated in the circulatory system overnight, cleansing the internal organs. Consider this habit a small morning detox ritual.
Tip: Try not to eat anything in the next 30-40 minutes, so that the body has enough time to hydrate.
2. Drink 1 glass of water 30 minutes before the main meals of the day
One of the most common mistakes people make is that they drink water immediately after eating. But the body absorbs water better when the stomach is not full of food. When you drink water while eating or immediately after, it dilutes the natural juices that help digestion.
Drinking a glass of water before meals will prevent you from overeating and gaining extra pounds. When you are well hydrated, your stomach is ready for food.
3. Drink water when you feel hungry
Sometimes, when you are dehydrated, the feeling of hunger is more acute. If you get hungry between the main meals of the day, try drinking 1 glass of water and notice: if the feeling of hunger has stopped, you were just dehydrated.
4. Drink water before workouts
To protect yourself from dehydration during the gym, drink 1 or 2 glasses of water beforehand. After finishing the workout, it is good to drink as much water as possible, to replace the fluids lost through perspiration. The amount of water you need depends on several factors: weight, health, if you exercised in a high temperature environment, etc.
5. Drink water before showering
1 glass of water before taking a shower can help lower your blood pressure. The water should not be cold, in order to dilate the blood vessels. In addition, water consumption reduces the level of sodium in the body, which again helps you to lower blood pressure.
6. Drink water before bed time
If you are well hydrated before bed, this decreases the risk of heart attack or stroke, as dehydration can increase the risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. That’s why some heart attacks occur in the morning, because the blood is thicker then due to water loss.
7. Drink water when you feel tired
The brain is made up of 75% water. When you are drowsy or tired, a glass of water will help you clear your mind and feel refreshed, because the water intake restores the fluid level necessary for proper cognitive functioning. Remember that fatigue is one of the main signs of dehydration. Consider the glass of water a kind of natural caffeine, with no side effects.
So, we hope that from now on, you will not underestimate the power of a glass of water drank at the right time. The health benefits are greater than you think!
