​Considering our bodies are made up of more than 50% water, water is essential for human survival.  Adult bodies are composed of about 60% water while the body of a newborn is made up of about 74% water.  Every day we lose water from our body and it needs to be replenished daily.  Re-hydrating your body is just as important as re-hydrating your skin.  When you drink water your body gets the water first, then your skin. Think about that.  If you are not drinking ample water your skin is probably going to show it.

​Water is one of the most important sources of energy for your body.  Water provides a transportation system throughout your body for nutrients, oxygen, and waste.   H2O also helps regulate your body temperature and weight. Water helps to digest food. Water provides lubrication for joints, tissues, and your spinal cord.

​When you don’t consume enough water, some serious complications can arise. Your hydration needs depend on a variety of factors such as weather, altitude, diet, exercise, age, body fat, pregnancy, and medications.

​Hydration can benefit you on the inside and the outside.

​Whether you are exercising or not, hot weather requires a higher intake of water because your body is losing water through sweat plus maintaining a hot body requires more water.

​You should be drinking water before you are thirsty.  If you feel thirsty, you are already dehydrated.  Also, start drinking water before you go out in the heat.

​Drinks with alcohol, sugar, and caffeine do not count as hydrating.

Dehydration is very serious and its symptoms can come on quickly. Dehydration can cause serious problems that can quickly affect your heart and body temperature. Dehydration can quickly cause fatigue and possibly result in death. Children, elderly, and ill people are more likely to dehydrate.  Headache may be the first symptom of dehydration. Other symptoms of dehydration vary and may include some of the following: dry mouth, fatigue, decreased output of urine, having dark yellow urine, rapid breathing/too slow breathing, feeling dizzy, feeling light headed, confusion, irritability, agitation, headache, fainting, nausea/vomiting in young children, and muscle cramps.

​Dehydration can lead to heat exhaustion which can lead to heat stroke which can be deadly.

Heat exhaustion vs. heatstroke…  Heat exhaustion is usually accompanied by a fever no higher than 104 degrees F, excessive thirst, nausea, fainting, cool and clammy skin, weakness, muscle aches, heavy sweating, slow heartbeat and dizziness.  Heat exhaustion requires immediate attention.
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Web MD says, “Heat stroke can occur suddenly, without any symptoms of heat exhaustion. If a person is experiencing any symptoms of heat exhaustion or heat stroke, GET MEDICAL CARE IMMEDIATELY. Any delay could be fatal.” 
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“Seek emergency medical care for anyone who has been in the heat and who has… heat-related symptoms that are not alleviated by moving to a shady or air-conditioned area and administering fluids and salts.”
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The Institute of Medicine generally recommends that men drink about 13 cups of water per day and women about 9 cups. The Cleveland Clinic suggests that you drink at least two cups of water 1 - 2 hours before exercising outdoors and you should drink 5 - 10 additional ounces of water for every 10 to 15 minutes you spend outside in the heat.
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• Increases Energy-H2O brings nutrients and oxygen throughout the body to energize you.
• Majorly Affects Brain Function-Feeling ‘off’? You may want to drink some more water.
• Maintain weight-HINT: Your body may signal ‘hunger’ when it really means it is thirsty.  Drink water often to keep satiated.
• Fight fatigue-a well-hydrated body is a well-energized body!
• Lubricate joints, tissue, and spinal cord-water assists with repair, energy, and padding in joints.
• Slow the aging process-with proper hydration our organs do not have to work as hard.
• Reduce high blood pressure and high cholesterol-water helps keep the blood flowing and circulating easier.
• Improve Blood Sugar Levels-proper hydration may help your kidneys flush out excess blood sugar through urine.
• Improve the Look and Feel or Your Skin-without enough water, your skin may appear lose, dry, and rough.
• Cleanses Your Body of Toxins-water helps aid in the process of elimination of toxins from your body.
• Regulates Body Temperature-water helps absorb and transfer heat.  Temperature control has a direct effect on metabolic rate.
• Reduces Likelihood of Kidney Stones-“Water dilutes the salts and minerals in your urine that form the solid crystals known as kidney stones.  Kidney stones can't form in diluted urine, so reduce your risk with plenty of water!” says WebMD.

​Your skin is the first place to be robbed of water because your organs receive the benefit of water before your skin.

What are some of the benefits of proper hydration?

Proper hydration slows the aging process.  Proper water intake improves the appearance of your skin.  If the outermost layer of the epidermis doesn't contain enough water, skin will lose elasticity and feel rough. Water keeps skin soft and supple.  Water combats the buildup of dead skin cells. Water fights oil and acne.  Reduce dead skin cells by drinking more water and your face will look less dull.

According to WebMD lines and wrinkles on your skin are more visible when you are dehydrated.  Drinking water pumps up the skin cells helping your face look younger.  Water also flushes out impurities and improves circulation and blood flow, helping your skin look radiant and glowing.

Because water helps your digestive system flush out toxins from your body, drinking enough water may help you combat a variety of skin issues including psoriasis and eczema. Dry skin, itchy skin?  Try drinking more water.

​A good factor to remember is that your largest organ, the skin, is a large shield to protect you. Skin plays a vital role in maintaining your body temperature and cooling it in hot weather.  Another role that your skin plays is that it is a protective barrier between you and the world.  If your skin is dry and cracked that barrier has been breached allowing the possibility of germs and toxins to enter the body possibly allowing infection and poisons to enter.

​Remember, your skin is your first line of defense and it is the first thing people see.  Your face is probably one of the first things you see in the morning.  

Keep well hydrated to benefit your body and your beautiful skin.