Has your therapist told you about the importance of drinking water after receiving a massage?
After all, our bodies are composed of approximately 60 percent water, and all of our bodily functions are sustained by water. Dehydration is one of the most common detriments to our health, and one of the easiest problems to fix. Make staying hydrated simple and seamlessly interwoven throughout your day.
Start Each Day Off Right
Start your morning with a tall, room temperature glass of water with lemon squeezed into it, before you start taking any tea, coffee, or food. Front-loading hydration is helpful to the body. Make your work space a haven for pure, clean water. And be luxurious with your water—for a special treat, add mint, cucumber, or lemon.
Half Your Weight
It is difficult to know how much water is enough. One rule of thumb is to take half your body weight in pounds, and drink that many ounces of water per day. So if you weigh 150 pounds, this would equal 75 ounces of water. For many of us, however, this might not be enough. If you are working hard, or it is humid outside, or you live in a particularly dry climate, you might need to drink even more than this.
Other Drinks
Drinking herbal tea is a good way to stay hydrated. You can also augment your hydration with electrolyte-fortified water or sports drinks. However, be aware that a lot of these drinks have incredibly high levels of sugar in them. Hydration isn’t a healthy habit if you drink a day’s worth of sugar in every glass. So check the label before you buy.
What About BPA?
You’ve probably seen the phrase “BPA free” on water bottles, and you may want to gravitate toward these. BPA stands for bisphenol A, which is a chemical found in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins.
According to Mayoclinic.org, some research has shown BPA can seep from a container into foods and beverages, and this is concerning because of possible health effects BPA has on the brain and behavior. So, look for non-plastic bottles (like the one pictured here), or look for the “BPA free” logo.
Energy Drinks: Good or Bad? By Shelley Burns
Energy drinks give you a boost of energy, but their effects are only short term. You must also consider the long-term effects of sugar and caffeine. A typical energy drink can contain as much as 14 teaspoons of sugar and enough caffeine to cause rapid heartbeats and insomnia.
Good energy comes from eating well, staying active, getting quality sleep, and staying hydrated! If you put in consistent effort in these areas, your overall health will improve, giving you plenty of everyday energy so you won’t need that short-term boost.
Jennie Hastings Stancu is a licensed massage therapist and author of The Inspired Massage Therapist (Massage Blossom Books, 2012). She lives in Portland, Maine, where she practices massage, yoga, and coaching with clients.