Dehydration
is common. Many people drink no water at all. Most
drink diuretics throughout the day (coffee, tea, sodas, alcohol), which
cause the body to excrete more water.
Some say they don't like the taste of water, but for the most
part, people seem unaware of the power and importance of water.
It's helpful to think of water in the body as a representation of the
organizing principle of the universe; that is, flow or movement.
All the physical and non-physical aspects of the universe are
made of energy and energy is never static.
Movement, or in other words, change, is the nature of all
things--including our bodies. So
as we begin to see that our bodies/our selves are not separate from the
rest of the universe, it makes perfect sense that the body itself should
work on a principle of flow and movement.
Water flows. It
provides movement very nicely. In
our body it functions as a carrier, as a catalyst, and as a lubricant
for movement, and much more. In
this sense, dehydration is working against both our physical and
universal natures.
On a simple physical level, water cures most of what ails us.
Hydration alleviates headaches, TMJ, nausea,
constipation, arthritis, dry skin, dry eyes, dry hair, sinus problems,
allergies, digestive problems of many kinds, insomnia, and much more.
At high elevation on a high plains desert like Colorado Springs
or anywhere above 6000 feet, achieving optimal hydration is even
trickier. Both of those
circumstances demand a more constant water intake. This is also
true at any altitude for those who participate in physical activities,
outdoor activities, or stress in general.
Water functions biochemically as a powerful antioxidant and so
can be every bit as helpful to the body as Vitamin E or C or zinc, etc.
It takes time to become hydrated after years of dehydration.
There is something of an art form to achieving hydration.
Simply gulping your 8 glasses of water each day, doesn't
necessarily accomplish the goal (although, it's a heck of a lot better
than not drinking any water). A
glass or two of water first thing in the morning is a very good way to
help the body finish up its nighttime housekeeping duties.
Then, sipping water
throughout the day rather than gulping glassfuls at a time is perhaps
the optimal strategy.
Also best to limit the quantity of water drunk with meals to
about 4 oz, and to reduce intake several hours before bedtime.
Water drunk with meals tends to dilute digestive juices and
impair digestive function and water drunk to near bedtime interrupts
one's sleep.
