Are You Hydrating?

When was the last time you had a drink of water?

Hydration plays a key role in our bodies and our mind. It can be said that many health issues can be solved or lessened by drinking some water.

Did you know that about 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated? Honestly that is a sad truth. Studies have found it's not that we don't drink enough water; it's more because of the caffeinated drinks and salty fatty foods we eat. Yikes right?!

Also, did you know that coffee doesn't actually dehydrate you? It was a very common idea that coffee and tea would work against your body. However, studies have found that the diuretic properties in the drinks do not affect the hydration levels.

I mean, phew; because honestly I drink way too much coffee!

How does dehydration affect your body?

The most noticeable warning sign is when we feel thirsty, but by then your body is already in a dehydrated state. I know that sounds obvious, but honestly most people just assume their bodies have just become thirsty. So when you feel the need for a drink, don't put it off; that's your body screaming at you for attention.

Without proper hydration our bodies will wear out and get fatigued easily. This is also the leading cause for midday fatigue in adults and teenagers; so maybe instead of a nap we should just drink some water.

Dehydration can also cause you to loose focus and concentration. This has been shown to be very evident within young adults and teens within the school age range. If your kiddo seems like he/she just won't concentrate on their schoolwork, maybe just suggest some water.

I do understand a lot of children don't prefer water compared to other sugary drinks.

So, how does dehydration affect your skin?

If your body has become dehydrated one way that makes it easy to tell is the condition of your skin. We all know that your skin can become dry and brittle; but it can also dark circles under the eyes or the “sunken” eye look, and even make the fine lines and wrinkles appear more in the face. Your skin will appear dry, cracked, or flaky.

So, how do we tell the difference between dehydrated skin and dry skin? Yes, they are two different things in the skin world.

First, dry skin is a chronic condition that cannot be changed but managed with topical solutions. A person is usually born with a genetic condition that causes the skin to not produce enough oils, and the issue will be all over the body including the scalp; conditions such as eczema.

Dehydrated skin on the other hand is due to a lack of water and can be easily fixed. This issue can be felt by anyone and the condition of “dry” skin usually comes and goes. Your skin may also seem dry but still maintain somewhat of an oily texture. Generally speaking you can use a topical treatment for temporary use; while pumping water back into your system.

So what are some topical solutions for dried out skin?

I prefer to use homemade and natural products to keep my skin healthy. I try not to use too many harsh chemicals and use preventative measures when possible. I drink lots of water and herbal teas and try to avoid too much salt; unfortunately I have a little love addiction to salty foods. I keep on hand some body scrubs for the dead skin, oatmeal skin mask for the really dry days, and make my own creams and oils.

Over the counter lotions can be a great alternative while you are still fixing the root problem. Be sure to read your labels carefully; I generally recommend to stay away scented as the may irritate your dry skin.

Be sure to check the soaps you are using at home as well. Most soaps for cleaning the home and yourself have harsh chemicals that draw out the skin normal moisture. Use gloves when appropriate to avoid contact with chemicals.

Keep an eye out for more to come for dry skin needs. Blessed may you be and soft smooth skin wishes for you.