Dear sisters, this week I have been consciously trying to drink more water. My average intake of water is normally well below the two litres or eight glasses recommended for optimal hydration. I now carry a 500ml bottle to work, taking small sips during the day and filling up as required. I have found it is not so hard to drink the recommended amount of water.
Water makes up at least 60% of the constituents of our bodies. Water is required for all metabolic processes, the correct functioning of our internal organs, for digestion, transport of oxygen and nutrients, for the excretion of toxins in the form of urine and mechanisms involved in homeostasis. It is suffice to say that every cell in our body requires water and we have to maintain optimal levels by drinking as necessary.
What are the symptoms of dehydration? The colour of your urine is a good indicator of hydration levels in your body: ideally it should be pale yellow under normal circumstances and the darker the colour, the more you are dehydrated. Another indicator is the pinch test: an area of skin, like the back of your hand is pinched and released. Your skin should return to its former condition within a second – if it takes any longer it is an indication of lower skin turgidity and dehydration.
There are a number of symptoms of dehydration which may be experienced: headaches, dry lips, fatigue, constipation, light-headedness and of course feeling thirsty. In the worst case scenario, severe dehydration can lead to death.
Water is one of the greatest blessings that God Almighty has bestowed on us. However as with a lot of other things, we tend to only appreciate its value when we are deprived of it. The Prophet Muhammad ( peace be upon him) advised his followers to maintain a balance in the intake of food and water: filling only one third of the stomach with food, one third with water and keeping one third empty (for air).
The Prophet(peace be upon him) also described the correct etiquette in drinking water: sit down, take the glass in your right hand, say Bismillah, don’t drink the water in a single gulp but rather take three breathing pauses and when you have finished drinking say Alhamdulillah.
What if you don’t like the taste of water? You can always flavour water with lemon, mint or fruit. Herbal teas are really just infusions which count towards your daily intake of water. Certain fruits and vegetables have a high water content and these help in keeping you hydrated.
So, start drinking more water today and I am sure you will soon start to feel healthier and more alert!
useful links:
http://uk.businessinsider.com/how-many-days-can-you-survive-without-water-2014-5
http://www.wikihow.com/Drink-Water-in-Accordance-with-Sunnah-of-Prophet-Muhammad-Sallallaho-Alaihi-Wasallam
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Goodfood/Pages/water-drinks.aspx