Drink More, Stress Less
Congrats! You already made it through one week of our intentional health and wellness journey!
Just joining us? No problem! This is your time! Jump in now; pick it up later. It’s entirely up to you. In week #1, we took the first step to wellness, which was to introduce some form of exercise into our weekly routine.
As we start to focus more on our health and wellness, we want to savor the changes our bodies are making and the habits we are mindfully cultivating in the creation of our healthy living lifestyle. Now that we've exerted all that energy working out, it’s time to replenish our bodies with the liquids needed to reach optimal performance. Did you know that dehydration can actually lead to increased levels of cortisol? That's right, not getting enough water isn't just bad for your body but also your mind! This week, we're going to be mindful in our intention to drink more water!
5 EASY TIPS TO GET YOU DRINKING MORE AND STRESSING LESS
It’s a generally accepted rule that both men and women should drink around 2 liters of water per day. Depending on the size of your glass, that’s a lot of trips back and forth to the source. To make hydration become one of your healthy living habits, we’ve come up with 5 great ways to help you drink more water throughout the day:
1. BRING A REFILLABLE WATER BOTTLE TO WORK
Did you ever notice you eat more when food is put directly in front of you, whether you were hungry or not? The same idea can be applied to water. Try placing a refillable water bottle within arms reach on your work desk, making it easy to grab a sip between e-mails or phone calls. Using a refillable bottle also allows you to hydrate while you’re commuting to and from the office. Turn a convenience into a habit, in no time.
2. SET AN ALARM: TIME TO REFUEL!
You’re busy. Adding another stressor onto your plate is not the best way to create a healthy habit. So, set yourself an alarm and forget about it. Try plugging in reminders to drink a glass of water 5 times a day. Soon, you won’t need the alarm and you’ll refill automatically to fill refreshed and revitalized throughout the day.
3. KEEP TRACK OF YOUR WATER INTAKE
Keeping track of your accomplishments is a great way to keep yourself motivated. Try noting down on a post-it every time you have a glass of water. Once you drain that last cup of water, you’ll feel a sense of pride at having set out a goal, and reaching it.
4. PAIR YOUR WATER WITH MEALTIMES AND SNACKS
Kill two birds, with one trip! Whether you enjoy large meals, or graze spontaneously throughout the day, try grabbing a glass of water every time you eat. Adding a small glass of water to your meal or snack can help you reach the 2 liters your body needs both quickly and effortlessly!
5. START AND END YOUR DAY WITH A GLASS OF WATER
Did you know that our bodies can shed up to ½ a pound of water just overnight? Spread your water intake over the entire the day and quench your body when needed most. Build a habit of drinking one glass of water before bed, and one first thing in the morning. You’ll notice you feel re-energized and your body will thank you.
Need more help with stress?
Are you still feeling stressed no matter your hydration level? This week, we challenge you to try meditation or practice mindfulness. Both can help with stress! If you're looking for additional support with your stress, you may want to try CBD oil. O2 Living's Living Health and Wellness offers a variety of hemp extract (CBD) products.