Hydration and essential oils

Hydration is a very important consideration even at this time of year.  People are typically more dehydrated in the winter than in the summer. We don't usually associate colder weather with dehydration because the body does not get as hot in the colder months and the body's thirst response becomes diminished. In order for the body to conserve heat at its core, our blood vessels constrict and prevent blood from freely flowing to the extremities. The body is fooled into thinking that it is properly hydrated because we do not feel thirsty and therefore, we are less likely to drink water voluntarily. But hydration is critical - and here is why...

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What does water do for my body?
Water is a nutrient essential to life. It is the primary component of all bodily fluids - blood, lymph, digestive juices, urine, tears, and sweat - and is involved in almost every bodily function. Water makes up 60% of our total body weight and is second in importance only to air for sustaining life. It is impossible to sustain life for more than a week without it.

Some uses of water

• Regulates the body’s temperature
• Cushions and protects vital organs
• Lubricates and cushion the joints
• Aids the digestive system
• Helps with weight loss
• Acts within each cell to transport nutrients and dispel waste
• Gets rid of wastes through urination, perspiration, and evacuation.

Dehydration
Without enough water, we literally dry ourselves out. Dehydration is linked to chronic health problems like arthritis, diabetes, colitis, high blood pressure, kidney stones, and multiple sclerosis.

Dehydration symptoms

• Dark urine / constipation
• Dry skin / dry mouth
• Extreme thirst
• Dizziness / fatigue 

​Don’t like the taste of plain water?
Infuse your water with flavors, like cucumbers, strawberries, lemons, or fresh herbs. A water pitcher infused with fruit is great to have on hand.

​What if I do not have any fruit or herbs on hand?
​Try essential oils. Besides making your water taste great, they have additional benefits (see chart to the left). The brand that I trust is doTERRA. You can use doTERRA oils internally. They last for a very long time and are portable - you can take them with you anywhere. If you are interested in trying these incredible oils, please contact me or click the above doTERRA link and then click "Join and Save".

Sources: 
American Council on Exercise. (ACE). (2008). Fit facts: Healthy hydration. Retrieved from: http://bit.ly/1jScu31
Family Doctor. (2011). Hydration: Why it’s so important. Retrieved from: http://bit.ly/1i12PLi
Haas, E. (2005). Staying healthy with nutrition. Berkeley, CA: Celestial Arts.
Healthy Living for Life. (2011). Water education. Retrieved from: http://bit.ly/1lDcd5f