#20 - Warm Water Every Morning

Everybody knows that water is a heavenly drink, given to humans and animals for free. Humans in general do very little to acknowledge the true value of clean water.

Many have heard about the clean water crisis happening all over the world, you are wrong if you think that you’re safe from drinking water shortage. Earthly sources are not, unfortunately, unlimited. Add to this increasing pollution. The real tragedy is when you’re thirsty in a desert without a drop of clean water whilst having all the money in the World. Big tragedy of humanity - valuing things that are not worth a drop of freshwater.

The aim of this paragraph is to remind you kindly that the future is in our hands. Our everyday decisions must help the planet. So everyone will be able to enjoy the beauty of the powerful mother nature.

Ask yourself:

• Do I have habits, which helps to take care of the environment?

• How do I help to reduce pollution?

• Do I save water?

• Do I save energy?

This week’s theme is about a simple morning routine. Drink and respect water!

A human body consists of up to 70% water. Water does essential functions to keep people going, transforming food into energy and transporting nutrients to cells. Water also functions as a body temperature regulator by sweating. Our organisms need water to move proteins, carbohydrates, and other vitamins into the bloodstream. It's an important liquid for inner organs to work properly; urination - the important process of discharging organic waste is flushed by water; saliva is also body water; lubricates joints, spinal cord, and brain where waterworks as a damper of shock impulse.

Without water it is impossible to be alive, one cannot survive without water for longer than 3 - 5 days (were without food and water no longer than 18-21 days).

Not everyone is well hydrated since we tend to forget to drink pure water, and we reach for processed beverages. Make sure you consume enough water throughout the day, start slowly. Remember to always stay hydrated.

Easy to apply tips to stay hydrated:

• Set a reminder (on your phone, or sticky notes at the house) as a form of whatever that will help you remember. Drink water when you wake up, one hour after or 30 minutes before; breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and when you go to bed. Or, drink a small glass of water at the beginning of each hour or every 2 hours a glass.

• You can check it also on your lips, in a mild humidity place, with a mild temperature, and no wind, if your lips are dry or cracked it’s a reminder to drink more water.

• Keep a bottle of water with you during the day everywhere. To reduce your costs and plastic waste, carry a reusable water bottle and fill it with tap water or any water you drink.

• Remember to drink a glass of water every time after urination. Because your body loses water when urinating, so it's best to refill the amount so your body won't be dehydrated.

• If the taste of plain water is a thing stopping you from drinking water, try adding lemon to your drink.

• Remember to drink water before, during, and after a workout.

• When you’re feeling hungry, drink water. Drink water 30 minutes before your meal so your stomach will have more liquid to digest faster and better, filling it so you won't feel the need for a dessert (that saves you from heavy sugars).

Now you know that drinking water may also contribute to a healthy weight-loss plan, it keeps your stomach a little full so you consume less food naturally without feeling hungry afterward. First time 1 glass before a meal, the next time 2 glasses of water, and so on, this is how your stomach would naturally adjust to healthier meal portions.

Get a habit tracker, or observe your body so you don't miss when you're thirsty.

If you don’t drink enough water, you may become dehydrated. This means your body doesn’t have enough fluid to operate properly. So with this come its drawbacks, here's what are those:

• Lack of energy, fatigue

• Abnormal blood pressure

• Stiff joints

• Seizures

• Increased body temperature

• Little or no urine

• Migraine

• Dry mouth

• Sleepiness

• Extreme thirst

• Headache

• Confusion

• Dizziness or lightheadedness

Your urine can be an indicator if you’re dehydrated. If it’s colorless or light yellow, you’re well hydrated. If your urine is a dark yellow or amber color, you may be dehydrated. When dehydrated it means that organism can not physically function and slowly would stop functioning.

Water plays an essential role in our well-being, from skincare to good digestion and even avoiding migraines. There is a lot that merely the consumption of water can fix because it is most beneficial when it is consumed while warm. The perfect temperature for water that you must drink first thing in the morning is lukewarm (when the water feels warmer than your body temperature, but less than considered slightly hot, approximately 30℃ which is around 85℉).

Drink warm water first thing in the morning when you wake up before any meal or another beverage that you usually drink. You can either boil water, wait until it has cooled down, or stop it at a certain temperature. If you have an electric kettle to boil water, or a stove for steel kettles or pots, then it is enough to turn the heat off after a minute in a stove (depending on the stove you use, some of them heat the water even faster than the speed of electric appliances). Electric kettle heats water in a matter of seconds, literally 15-25 seconds only to gain the needed temperature of the water.

Potential benefits:

• Warm water assists clear out congestion

Drinking warm water stimulates your digestive system and helps your body to better digest, eliminates food by breaking down food substances, and helps boost liver and kidney functions. Also, warm water is great for internal 'cleansing' since it regulates bowel movement and prevents constipation.

• Eases pain when you have sore throat and stomach cramps

It helps the muscles loosen, which eases the pain. Not only, but also the menstrual pain could be soothed down by drinking warm water.

• Blood pressure regulation

Drinking warm water helps detoxify harmful chemical substances present in the body, and that detox consequently aids blood circulation. Warm water is relaxing, eliminating poor circulation, and assisting blood flow.

• Detox will aid to lose weight and slow down the aging

You might have known that toxins are the real enemy of your body and fresh looks. Warm water helps to flush toxins out of the body, as a result, there is more space for healthier stuff. Creating more space for cells to renew, refresh, and overall body functions properly without clogging. Water does the job of staying “forever young”. Losing weight by drinking water is not a secret, since a glass of water before meals will fill the stomach and you will be full when eating small amounts, improving your digestion.

Remember about keeping your body well hydrated! Approximately 35 ml per kilo of body mass, i.e. an average weight of 55-60 kg person should drink around 2,1 liters.

It is true that drinking water will boost your overall well-being and improve your good look.

If you're not a fan of still water then you can make your own watery elixir by adding lemon (lemon juice), lime, or a fruit of your favorite (oranges maybe?), also berries like strawberry, raspberry, or even mint leaves.

There are many other options for you to start your morning routine positively in terms of benefits to your body and waking up process.

You could do it by drinking warm water with:

ginger, lemon, adding a tiny bit of turmeric or honey, also fresh mint leaves are a nice addition.

You refreshed your knowledge about the importance of staying hydrated for your body as well as how can you do it by taking up simple habits. There are many other options for you to start your morning routine positively.

Drink more water overall and enjoy the health benefits every day.

The habit of the week is so simple and easy! When you wake up and get up from bed to start your day, squeeze a glass of warm freshwater. You can either boil it halfway or leave the boiled water to cool down if you have time.

Become more conscious of the positive ways to impact the environment.

Ask yourself how I impact the natural environment through my daily actions?

I would like to remind you that you are most welcome to post on our community forum. Share with us on MySpiritWay Forum what does your healthy morning routine looks like?