If you’re anything like me, you’re likely chronically dehydrated.
Despite lugging around a Stanley drink bottle the size of a small child in order for it to appear I have my life together, my water consumption is inconsistent at best, and severely damaging my kidneys at worst.
Usually the main way I know I’m dehydrated is because I start getting moody.
And not in a justifiable way, as I like to tell myself all of my moods are.
There’s no exact cause or trigger, which annoyingly means I’m unable to direct my moodiness at anything or anyone and am left to discover yet again, that it’s the repercussions of my own actions.
Cue: me Googling quick rehydration solutions and stumbling on a video from an influencer where she says she sucks on Hydralyte tablets as if they’re a lollypop so I suck on Hydralyte tablets as if they’re a lollypop, and then wonder why I’m not feeling better three seconds later.
ANYWAY.
The moral of the story is a) you shouldn’t get your hydration advice from an influencer and b) you don’t think straight when you’re dehydrated.
Yep, there’s a legitimate link between drinking enough water and your mood.
To find out more, and hopefully drill this fact into my brain once and for all, I decided to turn to an expert.
How much water should we be drinking?
According to Dr. Zac Turner, there’s no one size fits all when it comes to hydration.
The recommended amount of water you should drink per day varies based on individual factors like activity level and climate.
Males should aim for approximately 15 cups (about 3.7 liters), while females should target around 11 cups (about 2.7 liters).
It’s important to note that this total includes not just water but also fluids from herbal teas, juices, and moisture from foods.
“Yes, things like fruits and veggies help!” Dr. Turner notes.
The link between water and mood
If you start to feel a little grumpy or on edge throughout the day without a clear reason why, it could be a sign you’re dehydrated.
“It’s your body telling you it’s not getting the water it needs,” Dr. Turner says.
And research supports this, showing that even mild dehydration can lead to increased anxiety, irritability, and stress.
“It’s like when your phone’s battery is at 10% – it still works, but not as smoothly,” he says, noting that dehydration disrupts the brain’s capacity to maintain calmness and focus.
The reason you’re tired all the time
Feeling constantly tired or sluggish might also be tied to insufficient hydration.
“Think of your body like a car. If you don’t put enough gas in it, it’s going to sputter and run out of steam.
“If you think of water a little bit like the oil for your car then not having enough can overheat and damage lots of the other processes as well.”
Dr. Turner explains that when you’re dehydrated, your body doesn’t have the fluids it needs to function properly, leading to fatigue and low energy.
He points out that you don’t need to be severely dehydrated to feel these effects – “even a one to two per cent loss of body weight in water can make you feel irritable, tired, and sluggish,” he says.
For instance, if someone weighs about 150lbs, losing just 25-50 ounces of water, roughly a couple of cups, could contribute to feeling like this.
“If you’re really dehydrated, though,” he adds, “more like five percent or more, you might start feeling dizzy or even confused.”
The concerning long-term effects of dehydration
Chronic dehydration can trigger an erratic stress response in the body, potentially worsening anxiety and low mood over time.
“Staying hydrated helps keep things in balance, including the hormones that affect your mood. So, it’s definitely a good idea to keep that water bottle handy, not just for your body but for your brain, too!”
How to fix dehydration
For those needing to rehydrate, Dr. Turner recommends a gradual approach.
“The best way to rehydrate is to take it slow. Think of it like watering a plant – you don’t dump a whole bucket on it all at once.”
For mild dehydration, sipping water consistently throughout the day should work.
However, in cases of severe dehydration, particularly after intense activity or illness, he suggests opting for drinks that contain electrolytes, such as sports drinks or oral rehydration solutions.
“They’ll help you get those important minerals back in your system,” he explains.
Ultimately, Dr. Turner encourages people to carry around a bottle with them every day and yes, actually use it!
“Take small sips, you’ll feel a lot better for it,” he says. “Water is ‘fuel’ your body needs to run smoothly.”
