These mental and physical signs of dehydration are asking you to drink more water.
Staying hydratedis critical for feeling good and operating at your best.
Therefore, we rely onexternal sourcesto replenish properly.
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When you lose more water than you take in, you’re considered dehydrated.
Mental and Physical Signs of Dehydration
You have bad breath.
Bad breath has many causes, including dehydration.Why?
Because saliva has antibacterial properties, and the creation of saliva requires water.
You feel hungry.
Drink a glass of water and wait about 15 minutes.
And heads up, you might be thirstyandhungry, so grab yourself a glass of water and asatisfying snack.
Your head is pounding.
There’s no certain explanation for whyheadachesoccur with dehydration, but experts have a few hunches.
Your focus is off.
If you’re having trouble focusing, it might be wise to slug some water.
You’re constipated.
You’re grumpy.
Feeling cranky, impatient, or annoyed?
“Dehydration can cause neurological effects that lead to irritability,” Dr. Henry says.
Your skin feels less elastic.
Whiledry skin is not necessarily a direct sign of your hydrationlevels, skin elasticity is.
Have you ever pinched your hand to see if it snaps quickly back into place?
If you’re hydrated, it should tent up and release, snapping back into place immediately.
How Much Water Should You Drink?
The short answer: It depends.
Research has found that, “there is no single daily water requirement for a given person.
Some experts suggest drinking roughly half your body weight in ounces (i.e.
if you weigh 160 pounds, you should consume about 80 ounces of water).
And you’ve probably heard the guideline to drink about eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day.
Remember that many foods (fresh fruits and veggies!)
and beverages besides water (tea, milk, smoothies!)
alsocontribute to your hydrationstatus.
National Academies Press.Dietary Reference Intakes for Water, Potassium, Sodium Chloride, and Sulfate.
Chapter 4: Water.
Accessed March 13, 2023.
Wittbrodt MT, Millard-Stafford M.Dehydration impairs cognitive performance: a meta-analysis.Med Sci Sports Exerc.
Accessed March 15, 2023.
Armstrong LE, Johnson EC.Water intake, water balance, and the elusive daily water requirement.Nutrients.
2018;10(12):1928. doi:10.3390/nu10121928
