If you’re like me, you’re probably chronically dehydrated.
Despite shooting a small child sized bottle of Stanley drink to make it appear I have my life together, my water intake is inconsistent at best and seriously damaging my kidneys at worst.
Usually the main way I know I’m dehydrated is that I start to become cranky.
And not in a justifiable way, as I like to tell myself all my moods.
There is no exact cause or trigger, which annoyingly means that I am unable to direct my mood against anything or anyone and I am left to discover again, whether are the repercussions of my own actions.
Cue: me googling quick rehydration solutions and stumble upon a video from an influencer where she says she sucks hydralyte tablets like they’re a lollypop, so I suck hydralyte tablets like they’re a lollypop, then I wonder why I don’t feel better three seconds later.
ANYWAY.
The moral of the story is a) You shouldn’t get your hydration advice from an influencer and b) you don’t think straight when you’re dehydrated.
Yes, there is a legitimate link between drinking enough water and your mood.
To find out more, and hopefully drill this fact into my brain once and for all, I decided to turn to an expert.
How much water should we drink?
According to Dr. Zac Turner, one size does not fit all when it comes to hydration.
The recommended amount of water you should drink per day varies depending on individual factors like activity level and climate.
Males should aim for around 15 cups (around 3.7 liters), while females should target around 11 cups (around 2.7 liters).
It is important to note that this total includes not only water but also liquids from herbal teas, juices and moisture from food.
“Yes, things like fruits and vegetables help!” Dr. Turner Notes.
The connection between water and mood
If you start feeling a little cranky or on edge throughout the day for no clear reason, it could be a sign that you’re dehydrated.
“It’s your body telling you it’s not getting the water it needs,” says Dr. Turner.
And research supports this, showing that even mild dehydration can lead to increased anxiety, irritability, and stress.
“It’s like when your phone battery is at 10 percent — it still works, just not as well,” he says, noting that dehydration disrupts the brain’s ability to maintain calm and focus.
The reason you’re tired all the time
Feeling constantly tired or sluggish may also be linked to insufficient hydration.
“Think of your body like a car. If you don’t put enough gas in it, it will spray and run out of steam.
“If you think of water a bit like oil in your car, then not having it can overheat and damage a lot of other processes.”
Dr. Turner explains that when you’re dehydrated, your body doesn’t have the fluids it needs to function properly, leading to fatigue and low energy.
He points out that you don’t need to be severely dehydrated to experience these effects—”even a one to two percent loss in body weight can make you feel irritable, tired, and sluggish,” he says.
For example, if someone weighs around 150 lbs, losing just 25 to 50 ounces of water, about a few cups, could contribute to feeling like that.
“If you’re really dehydrated, though,” he adds, “more like five percent or more, you might start to feel dizzy or even confused.”
Long-term effects of dehydration
Chronic dehydration can trigger an erratic stress response in the body, potentially worsening anxiety and low mood over time.
“Staying hydrated helps keep things in balance, including the hormones that affect your mood. So, it’s definitely a good idea to keep that bottle of water handy, not just for your body but for your brain too! “
How to Fix Dehydration
For those who need to rehydrate, Dr. Turner recommends a gradual approach.
“The best way to rehydrate is to slow it down. Think of it like watering a plant – you don’t empty a whole bucket at once.
For mild dehydration, sipping water consistently throughout the day should work.
However, in cases of severe dehydration, especially after strenuous activity or illness, he suggests opting for drinks containing electrolytes, such as sports drinks or oral rehydration solutions.
“They will help you get these important minerals back into your system,” he explains.
Ultimately, Dr. Turner encourages people to carry a bottle with them every day and yes, use it!
“Take small sips, you’ll feel much better,” he says. “Water is ‘fuel’ that your body needs to function smoothly.”
