The Importance of Water for Your Mind

Water is one of the most vital components of a healthy body and mind. We might neglect the essential role that water plays in our mental health during recovery from addiction. People recovering from addiction to drugs or alcohol can improve their success by being mindful of their diet and physical health. Water plays an essential role in our overall health, particularly regarding the cellular activity within our bodies. Recovery from addiction can be the process of replacing unhealthy habits with healthy ones. When we are addicted to harmful substances or ingesting them in excess, we often neglect the helpful things we can do for ourselves. We might be drinking excessive amounts of caffeine to fight off “hangovers” or tiredness from being out late. These unhealthy habits catch up with us after time and we should learn healthy habits during recovery treatment.

The Role of Water

Water makes up a majority of a person’s body and brain composition. When we are not drinking enough water—or drinking fluids that contribute to dehydration, like caffeine and alcohol—we might not function to our fullest potential. Dehydration can be the cause of some of these symptoms:

• Fatigue and tiredness
• Headaches
• Stiffness
• Poor concentration
• Inability to focus
• Feeling weak

When we feel these minor symptoms, we might seek relief from caffeine, energy drinks, or aspirin. While these things might make us feel better in the short term, they might not be addressing a problem that has a simple fix: drinking a glass of water. After all, if you drink a glass of water and do not feel any improvement, at least you did not introduce something potentially harmful to your body! 

Water plays a vital role in the function of your major organs and systems. In the long term, chronic dehydration can contribute to complications with major bodily functions. Many of the above symptoms might make us feel drained or weak. These feelings can contribute to low levels of motivation and self-esteem. Our mental health and wellness can be improved considerably with healthy hydration habits.

Creating Healthy Hydration Habits

Drinking more water can help you prevent some of the above symptoms from occurring in the first place. You can increase your water intake by keeping the following tips in mind:

• Drink a glass of water each morning.
  • Our bodies go through a “fasting” period when we sleep and become slightly dehydrated by the time we wake up.
  • Put a glass of water by your bed at night so that the water is available for you when you wake up.
  • Drink from this glass before starting your day.

• Drink a glass of water before each meal.

• • Our brains process feelings of thirst and hunger on a shared pathway.
  • Sometimes, when we believe that we are hungry, our brains are really telling us that we are thirsty.
  • By drinking a glass of water prior to eating, you can somewhat curb your appetite and reduce calories from over-eating.
• Keep a bottle of water with you.
  • Water never expires, so you can leave an extra bottle in your car or desk at all times.
  • You can always fill up a reusable water bottle at fountains when you are out.
• Substitute water for soda or other beverages.
  • Soda and caffeinated beverages can be detrimental to your overall mental and physical health.
  • If you enjoy sodas and caffeine, just try to cut back on the amount you consume. For example, rather than refilling a soda at a restaurant, get water for your next drink.
• Start small and set yourself up for success.
  • Changing habits and introducing new ones can be challenging for us to remember.
  • Start off with manageable steps that are easy to remember. For example, if you leave a glass of water by your bedside each night to drink in the morning, you are already consuming more water each day!
• Be sure to consume more water when exercising and working out.
  • We lose much more water while working out and exercising.
  • Drink water throughout any workouts, and be sure to drink an additional glass following any routines. 

Improving your mental health and wellness is not just about changing one habit or quitting your addictions. Self-improvement is the collection of many small habits that push us in the right direction. We can make small adjustments each day that will add up over time. Proper hydration is an easy way to improve your overall health and wellness during your recovery journey!

Water plays a vital role in both your physical and mental health. You may be surprised by how easily a glass of water can remedy common ailments, like fatigue, muscle aches, lack of concentration, headaches, or irritability. By properly hydrating, you can improve your overall mental health. Get into the habit of drinking water before each meal. Keep a glass of water by your bed to drink when you wake up to get a boost of energy. Addiction to drugs and alcohol can deprive us of the healthy habits that we need to pursue the lives of our dreams. By introducing new and healthy habits into your daily life, you can set yourself up for success in recovery. Sometimes, we need support and additional help to get through rough patches or develop healthy habits. The Kimberly Center is here to help those struggling with addiction. Call us today at (855) 452-3683.