If our bodies are made up of about 60% of water, and we lose about two and a half litres of it through urine, faeces, sweat, and even breathing, Clearly, we need to balance that loss to keep our bodies hydrated. Don’t you think so?

How can you tell if you are not drinking enough water?

Feeling dehydrated is your body’s way of telling you that it is not getting enough water! Luckily, our bodies give us lots of signals to let us know that we are dehydrated.

A couple of signs of dehydration to look out for, like Dry skin or cracked lips, Dry mouth, feeling tired and lacking energy, Headaches, Dizziness, Lower back ache or even Anxiety.

Is there a thing like drinking too much water?

Although it is pretty rare, yes, it is possible to over-hydrate, which can cause the sodium levels in your blood to drop, your cells to swell with too much water and swelling of your brain cells. Scary right? Moderation is key. It can also make you sweat excessively and disrupt your sleep, especially if you drink a lot late in the evening. The key is to drink enough water to quench your thirst, especially with your meals, but not too much that you may feel bloated.

So! how much do you really need?

Drink a glass of water first thing in the morning, eat foods that have high water content like watermelon, orange, cucumber, and even tomatoes! Recognising the signs of dehydration, how thirsty you are and the colour of your urine, can help you determine what your personal needs are and allow you to plan your daily water intake.It’s up to your body! About 1.6 – 2 litres of water a day is a good starting point.

Now you know how much water you should be drinking and why you should stay hydrated. Cheers!