H2O
Hello #fitfam! Hope everyone is having a great start to their week! I just wanted to jump on here and write about something I've been thinking about lately- Water. And also, keep up with my writing;) It's a quick one but juicy so jump right in!
Have you ever noticed when the weather changes, your body feels different? Some people get headaches or stuffy noses, some people get chapped lips, some people's joints ache, etc. A change in climate or environment will always affect the body, and a great way to prepare for that or catch up from that is... to drink more water.
Honestly, a great first step is always, drink more water.
Just wake up? Drink water.
Had a tough workout? Drink water.
About to work out? Drink water.
Headache? Drink water.
Sore? Drink water.
Bored? Drink water.
Sick? Drink water.
Hungry? Eat food... and drink water.
60% of the body is made up of water... more than half of our body is composed of water. What's even crazier is that in newborns, it's closer to 80% of their little potato bodies are made up of water!! **
"According to H.H. Mitchell, Journal of Biological Chemistry 158, the brain and heart are composed of 73% water, and the lungs are about 83% water. The skin contains 64% water, muscles and kidneys are 79%, and even the bones are watery: 31%." **
Wow wow wow. What numbers.
Water can help in so many ways, and I personally don't think we put enough emphasis on drinking water. Many people feel that they don't drink enough water, and then brush off the actual need for actionable change. As a society, we are very quick to reach for that Advil, without making any other efforts to help actually take care of the body; not only fix the ailment or pain, but also to take care of the body. So I wanted to take some time to talk about the composition of the body and then some of the functions and roles that water serves as it relates to the human body.
Main Functions of Water for the Human Body
Composition of organs
Nutrient metabolism and transportation in the bloodstream
Creation of Saliva, which begins digestion
Removal of Waste, during the Excretory System process
Temperature Regulation, through sweating
Protection of the Skeletal System through lubrication in the joints and providing shock absorption in the brain, spinal cord, and other sensitive tissues ***
These are the most fundamental things of the body, and water makes up and takes part in all of this! That's impressive for something so basic. And so easy. And so accessible (in America).
I have previously written about Breathing. And along with overlooking the importance and value of deep breathing, I think our society often overlooks the benefits and need for enough water. Or maybe it's just the prioritizing of water. Now, what is it about water that's so great? It's so basic in terms of it's chemical composition, just hydrogen and oxygen.
An interesting connection between breathing and water is the oxygen.
Being that the tissues in our body are 'living', the tissue made up cells that are constantly reproducing and using water (Hydrogen and 2 Oxygens) in numerous biochemical processes. ****
Not trying to say that you can replace water with breathing or anything, but I love the connection of water to breathing in that the body needs oxygen<3
When you're feeling something not right, or if you're having pain, start by drinking water. Taking care of your body and not just alleviating the symptom. Your body needs it! And can even thank you by functioning better or with less pain in return!
Just a quick but science-y one today! Hope you enjoyed the read and I hope it puts drinking water at the forefront of your brain... which of course, is made up of mostly water!!;)
Finish this week strong and remember to be kind as we move closer towards the end of the year. Kind to others and kind to yourself.
<3 Coach Kwo