Before sobriety, we rarely gave much thought to staying healthy and hydrated. In recovery, however, we should begin to take time to focus on improving our health by meeting our daily requirements of vitamins, minerals, and water. Staying hydrated can provide major mental and physical health benefits that will keep us happy and motivated throughout the day so we can effectively engage in our program of recovery. Hydration is necessary for mental health and energy levels. According to Healthline, “Studies show that even mild dehydration (1-3% of body weight) can impair many aspects of brain function. In a study of young women, fluid loss of 1.36% after exercise impaired both mood and concentration, and increased the frequency of headaches. Another similar study, this time in young men, showed that fluid loss of 1.59% was detrimental to working memory and increased feelings of anxiety and fatigue.” Dehydration can impair our cognitive performance, energy level, and cause us to have a low mood. It can be difficult to maintain proper hydration throughout the day. Sandee LaMotte, in a 2017 CNN article entitled Benefits of Water, explains, “Dehydration means more water is moving out of your body’s cells than into them. And as this happens, it’s not just water that you lose. Small amounts of electrolytes critical to cell function and energy, such as sodium and potassium, are lost along with the water. You’re constantly losing water and electrolytes throughout the day via breath, sweat, urine and bowel movements, so even mild dehydration can exhaust you and affect many of your body’s daily functions.” The more active we are, the more water our bodies need. The Mayo Clinic recommends about 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids throughout the day for men, and 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids throughout the day for women. However, the amount of water each person needs is based on their individual biology. The Mayo Clinic explains, “You’ve probably heard the advice, ‘Drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day.’ That’s easy to remember, and it’s a reasonable goal. Most healthy people can stay hydrated by drinking water and other fluids whenever they feel thirsty. For some people, fewer than eight glasses a day might be enough. But other people might need more.” By meeting these requirements, we will begin to see noticeable changes in our energy levels, concentration, mood, and overall sense of wellbeing.
Your story can become one of happiness and health in sobriety. You can make the decision to seek help now and embark upon the rewarding journey of recovery. Oceanfront Recovery, located in beautiful Laguna Beach, is staffed with caring and compassionate professionals dedicated to helping clients develop all the tools necessary to achieve and maintain lasting sobriety. For information about individualized treatment options, please call today: (877) 279-1777
