I think everyone has goals to be healthier after the New Year. There’s just something so refreshing about new beginnings...a fresh start. Like a new planner… but that could have something to do with my paper fetish- and it looks like my little girl is following suit by taking over all of said new planners. Anyhow… I wanted to start off with a few small things that you can do starting today that will help your body to be healthier and get you on the right track going into the New Year. I’m going to give them to you one day at a time over the next few days. I am also working on doing a detox your whole home series in the near future too so stay tuned.
A Healthier You in the New Year: Drink More Water!
I realize that this might be easier said than done… in a way I’m preaching to the choir over here. Here’s a few pointers that I am trying to boost my H20 intake.
* Limit myself to one cup of Joe… If left on my own I would ONLY drink coffee all day long. After relishing my coffee I switch to drinking herbal tea… This is a 2 for 1 for me because I’m taking water in and it’s warm!
*Use a natural drink mix to flavor the water. These are great because they help to replenish your electrolytes and are a great replacement for Gatorade type products that are full of sugars, dyes and other bad stuff.
Another mix in that I have been using the last couple of weeks and really enjoy is the It Works Berry Greens… I add a touch of stevia and the mix is great- like a vitamin water. What I really love about them is that not only are they helping me to drink more water, but they are LOADED with vitamins and minerals that help to balance, alkalize and detoxify my body. I feel way better on these because I HATE taking vitamins and am not the best at getting all my greens in.
On to the list… Here are the top 10 Benefits of Drinking Water: Don't Medicate, Hydrate!
- Increases Energy, Relieves Fatigue and Increase Brain Function.
- Promotes Weight Loss
Removes by-products of fat, reduces eating intake (by filling up your tummy if consumed prior to meals), reduces hunger (hello natural appetite suppressant!), raises your metabolism and has zero calories!
Drinking half a liter (17 ounces) of water is shown to increase metabolism by 24-30% for up to 1.5 hours. The timing is important too, and drinking water half an hour before meals is the most effective. It is actually best to drink water cold, because then the body will use additional energy (calories) to heat the water to body temperature.
- Flushes Out Toxins
Gets rid of waste through sweat and urination which reduces the risk of kidney stones and UTI’s (urinary tract infections).
- Improves Skin Complexion
Moisturizes your skin, keeps it fresh, soft, glowing and smooth. Gets rid of wrinkles. It’s the best anti-aging treatment around!
- Maintains Regularity
Aids in digestion as water is essential to digest your food and prevents constipation. A healthy gut is key to less inflammation in the body as a whole.
- Boosts Immune System
A water guzzler is less likely to get sick. And who wouldn’t rather feel healthy the majority of the time? Drinking plenty of water helps fight against flu, cancer and other ailments like heart attacks.
- Natural Headache Remedy
Helps relieve and prevent headaches (migraines & back pains too!) which are commonly caused by dehydration.
- Prevents Cramps & Sprains
Proper hydration helps keep joints lubricated and muscles more elastic so joint pain is less likely.
- Puts You In A Good Mood
When the body is functioning at its best, you will feel great and be happy!
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Promotes Sleep… This could be a post all on its own!
Drinking a cold glass of water before bed promotes sleep, which is just one of the many water health benefits. In doing so, your body is able to stabilize its hormone levels as well as its vitamin and nutrient levels. Joints and muscles also become balanced in this process, another of the many water benefits. Having water before bed allows the body to restore itself naturally. The cool water will allow your body to relax instead of working harder to replenish you with necessary nutrients. By doing so, you are provided with a full night of rest. Drink more water, and wake up feeling better rested and more alert throughout your day.
Burns Calories
The benefits do not stop there. Consuming cold water before bed can also help your body to burn more calories during the night then it would on its own. Water is a natural calorie burner, and drinking cold water before bed causes your body to have to work twice as hard to warm the water up while you are resting, thus burning more calories. Of course, you are not taking in any calories while you sleep, so your body is burning the excess calories that are already there while you are sleeping. This is a great way to lose some extra weight, and another of many positive health benefits water provides. Drink more water before bed, and watch those extra calories disappear!
Cleanses and Hydrates Body
Water is of course a natural cleanser. Having a glass of water before bed fuels the body for the extra time it has overnight to cleanse your system of toxins that have been gathered during the day. Your digestive system as well as your skin and muscles will benefit. A glass of water before bed also helps to keep your body hydrated, as the body is composed mostly of water. Cold water before sleeping helps to maintain hydration levels throughout the body and keep you healthy.
Water before bedtime can help you feel better rested and look fresher! Your lifestyle will take a positive turn from drinking more water. The water has all night to work through your system, so having water before bed is especially effective and should become routine.
I hope that all this information inspires you to drink up!
-Lauren
Nice post!
Makes me want to grab a glass of iced water.