We talked recently about how important hydration is for the body. However, we take for granted how important clean water is for living a healthy life. We drink it, bathe in it, and clean with it, yet how often do you take a moment to appreciate your access to clean water. In many areas of the world, clean water is not a guarantee. The consumption of untreated water can spread disease and even lead to death. While the risk here in the U.S. is much less than that of other nations, we must still be careful to monitor our water quality - even after it goes through traditional treatment processes. You can invest in a variety of built in home water purification systems or use a handy water filter pitcher or carafe. By using a home filter, you can help reduce the amount of chlorine and fluoride you are exposed to as well as remove impurities microorganisms that have made their way into your water after leaving the treatment center. Most home filters are carbon based using a form of charcoal. You may have heard that taking activated charcoal can help cleanse your system or using it as a mask can remove impurities from the skin. Same idea with water filtration! The carbon filter not only physically catches impurities in the water, but also absorbs chemical pollutants as well. My personal favorite is the Soma carafe. We have tested our water at home and purifying it with our Soma has made a huge difference. Soma's filters are made from a natural coconut fiber and the casing is a plant based, BPA free plastic that is also compostable! The carafe is glass, which is certainly my preference, but we also have the pitcher (made from BPA free plastic) that we use for watering the plants. I have been so impressed with our Soma that I have gifted them and we even use them for our houseplants and garden. You can learn more about their eco-friendly filtration HERE. Soma has been generous enough to give all of our readers a special discount by using code WRW10 at SOMA.
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Hydration is crucial for overall wellness! I'm sure you've heard it before - you need at least 8 cups of water per day. Let's go over a few basics about water including how much is necessary and how to make sure you get enough. First, let's calculate your individual water needs. Take your body weight in pounds and divide it by two. This is the minimum amount of water you should be drinking per day in ounces. For example, if you weigh 180 pounds, you should be drinking at least 90 ounces of water. This doesn't exactly fit the 8 cups of water per day rule, does it? To ensure you are staying hydrated throughout the day make sure you are sipping water consistently and not guzzling large quantities more sporadically. Try the tips below to help boost your water intake!
Now that you are a pro at staying hydrated, let's take a look at a few hydration indicators so you can make sure your hard work is paying off. First, urine color is the best gauge to make sure you are well hydrated. You want your urine to be a light yellow color - almost clear. Dark yellow or even brown urine means you are suffering from dehydration and need to drink more water, increase your electrolytes, or see a doctor about an underlying fluid problem. Your skin is another key indicator of hydration status. If you pinch your knuckle, the skin should go back to its normal shape right away. If this change happens slowly or if the skin stays "pinched" then you need to hydrate ASAP! Let's hear it! What is your best tip for staying hydrated? Comment below and share your story! |