1. Headaches
One of the first, and possibly most familiar signs that your body hasn’t had enough to drink, is a throbbing headache (usually common with extended exposure to the sun, or exercising in high temperatures). When this dehydration isn’t supplemented with sufficient fluid intake, these uncomfortable, recurring cranial discomforts can become a daily experience. While the temptation might be to reach for an over the counter pain medication, that could even contribute to the formation of these headaches, pouring a tall glass of water might be a better solution.
2. Weight Gain
When your body is running low on h2o, it sends out signals to let you know about it. These signals are often confused with hunger, and so dehydration can cause food cravings and unnecessary consumption of calories. Being properly hydrated can suppress these cravings and help burn fat instead. Even regularly occurring mild dehydration has been linked to both diabetes and obesity, so you can never overestimate the importance staying properly hydrated has to your health (and your figure.).
3. Exhaustion
Dehydration can generate feelings of fatigue and overall tiredness, which can make a pretty big dent in your motivation. Paired with busy lives, lack of sleep, and stress we regularly encounter, it can often feel like the whole day can be stacked against you. Starting the day off with a glass of water, can lighten the load dehydration takes on your moral, and help you jump start a day of productivity and activity.
4. Muscle Cramps
Loss of water, and more specifically electrolytes in sweat, contribute to distressing side effect of dehydration, muscle cramps. These painful muscle pains, often in the calves, can be intensified when working out, or exercising in high temperatures. Such cramps can keep you up at night and interfere with your ability to exercise. Studies have found that it’s the lack of electrolytes most likely to be causing this pain, which is why an electrolyte-rich hydration solution can be your best defense to these workout ending nuisances.
5. Increased Pain
Chronic joint and back pain can fluctuate regularly. On the days that it seems more intense, the culprit could be dehydration. Research has found that people in a state of dehydration, experience an increased sensitivity to pain, and rate pain higher when exposed to stimulus, than those who are well hydrated. While staying hydrated can often feel like a pain, it could very well be the thing that helps you prevent it.
6. Cloudy Vision
When your body is well hydrated, it allows your tear ducts to function the way they are intended. This means that your eyes enjoy a steady stream of natural tears, that serve as a safe guard for the introduction of things like dust, and dryness. These irritants contribute to a cloudy fog that rests on the surface of your eye. It’s like trying to look through a smudge on a glass. To keep things crystal clear, regularly hydrate, and enjoy the view.
