Wellness Wednesday – “Staying Hydrated”
With summer upon us, I want to take a moment to focus on the importance of staying hydrated. Getting enough water every day is vital to our overall wellness. This need to get enough water is especially true during the summer months being outdoors in warmer temperatures, be it working in the yard, hiking in the mountains, hanging out at the beach, or even relaxing by the pool. It is easy to quickly become dehydrated without knowing it, which can cause serious health issues. And how wonderful it is to drink a nice cold glass of water, refreshing your body and quenching your thirst.
Even during the rest of the year, staying hydrated is essential. Water helps your body keep your temperature regular, lubricate and cushions your joints, protects your spinal cord and other sensitive tissues, and eliminates wastes through urination, perspiration, and bowel movements. Here are a few wellness tips for drinking more water and quenching your physical thirst:
- The National Academy of Medicine suggests an adequate intake of daily fluids of about 13 cups and 9 cups for healthy men and women, respectively, with 1 cup equaling 8 ounces. Higher amounts may be needed for those who are physically active or exposed to very warm climates.
- Carry a water bottle for easy access when you are at work, running errands, or exerting yourself, like exercising, hiking, or walking.
- Freeze some freezer-safe water bottles. Take one with you for ice-cold water all day long.
- Choose water instead of sugar-sweetened beverages. This choice can also help with weight management. Substituting water for one 20-ounce sugar-sweetened soda will save you about 240 calories.
Besides quenching our physical thirst during the summer, it is also essential to quench our spiritual thirst. This need is especially true when we are experiencing “heat” in stressful situations or exerting ourselves in our various callings in life more than average. The busier we get, the easier it is to forget the importance of staying spiritually hydrated. Then, we suddenly wonder why our soul feels dry and lifeless. In Psalm 42:1, we hear about the reality of our spiritual thirst and the importance of spiritual hydration in challenging times when the Psalmist writes, “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet God? My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, ‘Where is your God?’”
In those times that our soul is experiencing spiritual thirst during trying times, there is a well we can go to that will never run dry. In speaking with the woman at the well in John 4:10, Jesus says, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” Jesus is that living water our souls crave that keeps us spiritually hydrated, especially during the difficult moments of life. However, we have to be intentional in making time to drink deeply of the gift of this living water that Jesus offers that will well up within us as a spring of life, not only refreshing our soul but also so that the living water of Christ can flow from us to refresh others through our love, service, and witness.
For many years, one of my favorite ad campaigns was for Dos Equis beer featuring “The Most Interesting Man In The World.” At the end of each commercial, he would say, “Stay thirsty, my friends.” Borrowing inspiration from this ad campaign, I encourage all of you this summer and beyond to “Stay hydrated, my friends.” Make sure you are drinking lots of water, even when you don’t feel thirsty. And make sure to drink deeply of Jesus, the living water, even when you think you are doing ok in your faith walk. The reason is it is easy to become physically and spiritually dehydrated without even knowing it, which can have severe consequences for both your physical and spiritual health. God’s richest blessings; drink deeply, and may you all have a refreshing summer – cheers!
