The Weight of Water

The majority of the human body consists of water (60-70%), and the cells, organs, and systems that make up the human body heavily rely on water for proper function and survival. It cleans, heals, and replenishes the body and if a person does not get enough water, they may become very sick. The color of a person’s urine is a good indication if they are hydrated enough - anything darker than a pale yellow could mean dehydration. To maintain proper hydration, it is recommended that a person gets at least eight (8) glasses of water per day, starting first thing every morning when you wake up.

Regarding the incorporation of water into the body, it enters our body through ingestion, is transported by the blood, filtered through the kidneys, and excreted in the urine. It helps in the function of all elimination organs (kidneys, liver, bowels, lungs, and skin) by diluting and clearing toxins from the body. The more water a person drinks, the more hydrated they are, and the more toxins are being flushed from the body.

Water also aids in the support of many other body functions as well. It decreases stress, aids in cognition, regulates body temperature, lubricates the joints, clears airways, and helps in the elasticity of the skin.

Table of Contents

1. Water & Depression

2. Transitioning to Water

3. Helpful Websites

Water & Depression

An interesting study in Iran (2018) examined the link between plain drinking water and the risk of depression and anxiety in adults. They took 3327 subjects and divided them into 3 classes of water consumption: less than 2 glasses per day, 2-5 glasses per day, and more than 5 glasses per day.

Those in the lowest class showed doubled risk of depression and anxiety. Read the full article here...

Transitioning to Water

Drinking water sounds easy, but not if it means giving up some of your favorite beverages. Acquiring a taste for water, instead of that sugary soda or energy drink, can be a mental exercise in itself! Transitioning to water takes psychological process and possibly, some serious behavioral change. Adopting a behavioral model intervention has shown to work in getting certain populations to drink more water. This method utilizes initiation and sustenance to adhere to healthy behaviors, in this case, drinking water instead of sugary sodas. The 3 constructs of initiation are participatory dialogue, behavioral confidence, and change of environment. The sustenance aspect follows emotional transformation, practice for change, and change in social environment. This article administered a multi-theory model (MTM) intervention on a group of college kids. See what happened.

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Helpful Websites

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