Hydration…I consider it my 3rd full time job after being a mom and a doctor. That’s how important it is, and also how much of a hassle.

The human body is 60% water, and all of our cells function optimally when we are well-hydrated. When we don’t drink enough water, our brain feels tired, foggy, and headachy; our muscles and joints feel sore and unlubricated, and our skin looks dry and papery. Our body’s ability to detox is hampered when we don’t drink enough water to flush through our kidneys and liver. Water is also imperative for healthy gut function, avoiding constipation and the build-up of toxic sewage in our large intestines when things aren’t moving along.

So, how much water should you drink? In general, a good rule of thumb is that women should drink about 2 liters of water a day, and men should drink about 3 liters a day.

I use a 20-oz glass water bottle that has a silicone sleeve, and I drink about 4 refills a day of filtered tap water. I make sure I drink my first 20 oz of water before my cup of coffee in the morning as a reward. It is time-consuming and makes me have to stay close to a bathroom, but I notice immediately if I don’t drink enough water…by feeling sluggish, brain-foggy, and tired.

You need even more water when exercising. The American College of Sports Medicine says that you should drink 3-8 oz water every 15 min while exercising for less than an hour, or 3-8 oz of a sports drink every 15 min if exercising for more than an hour.

Can you drink too much water? Yes. If you drink too much water, you can dilute your electrolytes which can be dangerous.

So, stick to the guidelines, and rejuvenate your dry cells to a nourished state every day.