Hydration From the Inside Out

© Sandee Nebel

Welcome back to our 12-part self-care series, designed to help you make taking care of yourself as important as taking care of everyone else.

Today we’re talking about hydration, and its important role in your self-care. According to a fascinating infographic from the Mayo Clinic, nearly all of the major systems in your body depend on water.

They also explain that exactly how much water we all need to drink depends on individual factors like physiology, how much you move every day, certain health conditions, and your environment.

Here are three ways to make it easier to stay hydrated:

1. Eat your water

Many fruits and vegetables are high in water. If you can incorporate these into your day you can hydrate during your meals.

Aim for a good sampling from this list: apples, bell peppers, blueberries, broccoli, cantaloupe, carrots (especially baby carrots), cauliflower, celery, cucumbers, grapefruit, lettuce, oranges, raspberries, spinach, strawberries, tomatoes, and watermelon.

2. Start early

Jump-start your water intake and your digestion by starting your day with lemon water. For more information about why this is a such a healing practice, see this helpful infographic from Cleveland Clinic and then consult your physician or dietitian for your personal prescription.

3. Be creative

If a glass of water seems too boring, liven it up with some fun, flavorful ice cubes like the ones in these recipes from Rachael Ray, Reader’s Digest, and the DIY community on Pinterest. Or warm your body and soul by exploring the vast world of soothing teas, which also have many health benefits.

Hydrating your body helps all its systems function better, giving you more strength and stability for the inner work of healing.

(The above section was reprinted from an earlier WPF article.)

Besides hydrating the body from the inside, having water as part of your external environment can be a soothing self-care technique as well. You can find ways to be near natural bodies of water, letting the sights, sounds, smells surround you. Whether calm or turbulent, water can have a powerful effect on our health and happiness.

You can also bring this treatment indoors with fountains, meditation apps that play ocean sounds, or artwork that features a natural body of water.

How can you include water in your self-care plan?