Note: This is Day 7 in the “Recharge Your Creative Batteries in 31 Days” Challenge. For the rest of July, we’ll be posting different ways for you to get yourself on the path to living in a creative flow and reaching your writing goals. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss any.
Did you know that dehydration is a serious issue for most people? It’s true.
And the thing is, most people have no idea that they’re even dehydrated. Dehydration shows up in the body in strange ways, which causes people to think they have a symptom that’s not really there.
For example, dehydration has been known to show its face as:
- Food cravings
- Headaches
- Muscle cramps
- Hunger pangs
Life Liquid
Water really is life liquid. It can revive you when you sweat, hydrate you when you’re parched and help ward off weird pains and cravings.
When you’re a writer, you need water to keep you hydrated during your creative sessions.
Many writers end their sessions early because they sit there drinking soda or coffee, which makes them feel tired, dehydrated, can bring on a headache… any number of things.
When you’re properly hydrated, your whole body will feel different. You’ll be able to make it through a writing session without getting a headache or having to stop for a snack even though you just ate.
How Much Water Is “Proper Hydration?”
Depends. It’s different for everyone.
Since your body is made up mostly of water, I always recommend drinking at least half your body weight in ounces every day (or as close to every day as possible).
Here’s how to figure out what your water intake should be:
- Weigh yourself—Last time I checked I weighed 125 pounds
- Divide the number in half—half of 125 is about 62.5
So I should be drinking about 62.5 ounces of water every day, in order to stay hydrated.
There will be some days you drink more and others you drink less. It’s all about trial and error and creating a balance. If you feel thirsty, drink more. If you feel hydrated with no cravings/headaches, drink less that day.
By aiming to stay as hydrated as possible, you can ward off weird symptoms that keep you from feeling your best.
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How much water makes you feel properly hydrated?
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I think I feel best with 8 to 10 glasses a day… But what I find really interesting is that when I am “used to” not getting enough water, I rarely think about- rarely feel thirsty. But when I’m getting my water- the more I drink, the more I want. Its weird, but I love water- very refreshing.
Yea that same thing happens to me. The more I drink the more I want. I can never really get enough anyhow. I love water!
I do drink a lot of water. And also decaffeinated tea, hot and iced. They say if you feel thirsty, you’re already dehydrated. So keep drinking whether you feel thirsty or not.
Barb
Agree. Keep drinking whether you’re thirsty or not!
What is helpful to remember, and you sort of referred to it, is that coffee and soda contribute to the dehydration. The caffeine and sugars (even diet) do not help your body with the needed water.
You’re right–coffee and soda (two things writers are totally guilty of overindulging in) are body dehydrators. And don’t even get me started on diet soda. That shit is a lab experiment with all the fake sweeteners. You’re always better off drinking regular soda over diet, at least your body will recognize the sugars in the regular stuff.
You don’t have to drink any sodas. Period. Diet or regular. I haven’t had a soda in probably thirty years. I have not self-destructed. I drink water and tea. Period. And I’m healthy.
Barb
Agreed. I will say that on very rare occasions I do have a small glass of rootbeer from time to time. But that’s rare.
[...] you’re like me and don’t like the taste of water since it’s too bland for me, then go with a nice juice. The more natural the juice blend is; the [...]
Dehydration is such a huge problem for me. When I’m in the zone and when I’m lazy I don’t feel like getting up to refill my water bottle
When I have a writing session or something where I’ll be in a zone for a while, I bring 2 water bottles with me, that way I always have an extra on hand.