You may be surprised about the many benefits this nutrient has on your health and well being. Including this nutrient is step number 2 in our little steps to health. 

Remember we are working on little changes – little steps that become habits, which become our lifestyle.   

Step number 1 was to switch to a smaller plate – the luncheon size.

The vital nutrient our bodies need is water and that’s step number 2 – water as our main beverage. 

That means we drink more water than coffee, tea, pop (soda), milk or juice. 

 A Slovakian Proverb says, ‘Pure water is the world’s first and foremost medicine’.  Water is a fundamental component to our health and well being.

Here are 7 good reasons we should drink more water.  You will see that it really is a vital nutrient.

1.  Feeling cranky?  Have a glass of water!  It improves your mood!

Mild dehydration can negatively affect your mood and your ability to think.  If a glass of water can improve your mood it’s definitely worth a try!

2.  Is your energy level low? When your body is dehydrated, feeling tired is one of the first signs. 

3.  Feel a headache coming on?  At the first sign of a headache drink some water.  Headaches are often caused by dehydration.

4.  Water helps our body burn calories!  Drinking enough water boosts our metabolism and helps the body properly break down food.  It also helps our digestion so our system eliminates properly.  I won’t go into details – you can read between the lines. (All those new trips to the bathroom add to the step count for the day.  10,000 steps here we come!)

5.  It aids weight loss!  Substitute calorie free water for other high calorie beverages and we are reducing your calories.  Get rid of the pop/soda, which has no nutrients, and replace it with water and save 150 worthless calories.

6.  It flushes out toxins!  Drinking water helps your body get rid of waste primarily through sweat and urine.  It also promotes kidney function and reduces kidney stone formation.  If you’ve ever seen someone in pain from kidney stones you have the best incentive to drink more water.

7.  Water also helps your skin have a healthy glow.  More moisture means less wrinkles!

It took me awhile to switch over to being a water drinker, but now I really like water and prefer it.   

If I can do it so can you! 

But what if you don’t like to drink water?  Here’s a link to a previous post for you water haters out there.  You will find lots of fun ideas to help you increase your water consumption.

We often fail on our health journey because we try to make too many changes at once.  That’s why I have one little step for us.  That’s all. Just one little step because these little steps all make a difference!

TODAY’S little STEP:  Start by drinking one extra glass of water today, if you usually drink 2 glasses of water then make it 3.  You could attach this new habit to an already existing routine to help you remember.  Like when you brush your teeth you drink a glass of water.  You get the idea right? 

Then try substituting water for one of your usual beverages.  The goal is to eventually be drinking more water than other beverages.

What about you?  Are you a water drinker?

Peace be with you!

Dixie