It is imperative you remain hydrated at all times. The key elements of a healthy, high-performing lifestyle—regular exercise, a healthy diet, and regular sleep—will be essentially undermined if your body is not sufficiently hydrated.
It’s highly likely you are not operating at the optimum levels of hydration. Most people aren’t. In fact, a study that was recently conducted in America found that 75% of the people tested were dehydrated, a physical state that can manifest as an inability to concentrate, tetchiness, and lethargy. If dehydration progresses to chronic levels, it can lead to more serious problems such as a reduction in immunity, Alzheimer’s, kidney problems, joint pain, and potentially heart disease. One study that was conducted by the University of Arkansas found that even negligible levels of dehydration, as low as 2% of your total body weight, can have the same impact on your blood vessels as smoking a cigarette.
Remaining hydrated is extremely beneficial for your mental and physical wellbeing. It improves your cognition, helps you to sleep better, gives you a more radiant complexion, and aids weight loss.
However, it may surprise you to hear that there are more effective ways to remain hydrated than simply drinking water alone. In this post, we take a look at the latest research related to water and the unexpected function movement can play in maintaining hydration levels.
In the contemporary world, we are surrounded by technologies and devices that are quite literally draining water from our bodies. Industrial lighting, electronics, cell phones and other mobile devices, air conditioning, and heating systems all draw water from our bodies. Additional factors, such as prescription medications, processed foods, and a sedentary lifestyle, all have negative impacts on our hydration levels. The way in which we live our lives has fundamentally transformed in recent years due to the availability of mobile devices and cell phones. Humans are no longer as active as we once were; we now spend prolonged periods of time sitting at desks or staring at our mobile phone screens. All of this is having significant repercussions for our hydration levels. If you think of your body as a large reservoir, you’re allowing cracks to form in the dam that leak massive amounts of water every time you spend a prolonged period of time sitting down.
Contemporary thinking about water and hydration has been challenged in recent times as a result of the work of a renowned researcher named Gerald Pollack. Pollack has identified a new phase of water that exists beyond the forms we more commonly recognize: ice, liquid, and vapor. He has introduced a gel form of water that he refers to a E-Z, which stands for exclusionary zone, and he has formally labeled it H3O2 (a deviance from the standard H2O or plain water). The general belief is that H3O2 is the form of water that is found in plant life. Because it is charged and can hold energy in the same way a battery can, it can more effectively hydrate our cells than standard H2O.
The type of water that is found in the human body is molecularly charged. When you consume bottled water or tap water, it hasn’t undergone this transformation. One way people try to make this happen is by adding a very small amount of sea salt to their water before they drink it. This charges the liquid and forces the shape of the molecules to evolve. Interestingly, this is exactly what plants do. While the percentage of water found in vegetables and fruits does vary, they all contain around 85-90% water. Furthermore, the water is in a form that is molecularly charged; as such, the key to remaining hydrated doesn’t necessarily lie in drinking more water, it lies in consuming more hydrated foods and moving your body in an optimal way.
It’s important to note that everyone is unique. What works well for one person may be ineffective for another. As such, any actions you take to improve your hydration should take into consideration your own weight, levels of activity, environment, muscle mass, etc.
Every morning, pour yourself a large glass of water and add a pinch of pure sea salt and a squeeze of fresh lemon. Both of these elements are replete with minerals and electrolytes. Steer clear of processed salt; this will only cause bloating—it is pure sea salt that you need to use. Some people may be sensitive to salt; if this is the case, you should take the advice of your doctor.
It is imperative that you fully hydrate your body before engaging in any physical activity. This will help to ensure that your tissues are prepared and ready for physical exertion. You can even make your own sports drink by adding chia seeds, a pinch of sea salt, and a small amount of kombucha to a glass of water.
Many people make their own energizing drink by adding a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to a large glass of tap water. Alternatively, you could make a refreshing smoothie with fresh fruits and vegetables. If you find yourself flagging in the early afternoon, drink something revitalizing, like a glass of iced tea, or eat some fresh fruit. If you can’t live without your morning coffee, add a healthy fat to it, such as coconut or almond oil, to help counteract caffeine’s dehydrating effect.
Surprisingly, actively moving around can keep you hydrated. However, it’s micromovements that are the most effective, not rapid energetic moves. Minuscule body movements help to release hydration into our fascia and, subsequently, into the cells of the body. You should also aim to fully rotate your body on a regular basis to encourage bursts of hydration to reach places it typically doesn’t reach – think twisting in an ALTR Performance Yoga session. Imagine a wet cloth. When you twist it, you squeeze out all the excess water. When you release your grip, the cloth refills with oxygen. Even serious athletes can benefit from micromovements. After completing a long-distance run, you may return home and spend the rest of the day sitting down. Every now and again, execute a small movement, like looking over your shoulders or twisting your torso. This will help you to wring out any inflammation that may result from the release of lactic acid.
