Don't Sip Water Leisurely, Douse Yourself

You are Dehydrated

I firmly believe that everyone is operating with diminished or impaired vital functions.  Whether it is trauma in the nervous system, poor diet, environmental distractions, or, a fundamental lack of hydration.  Like nervous system issues, these stressors impact and impair our daily activities. Slowly we adapt and become not who we were -full, vital, healthy people but slower, older, weaker, crankier; caretakers of bodies in various states of disrepair.  Much change happens almost imperceptibly until one day there is this wide gap between who we were and who we are.  Those are not solely the ravages of time. They are the result of time coupled with inattention.  That is how health issues becomes chronic.  

We all know how to recognize an event that causes severe dehydration, like running out of water during a hike or mountain bike ride, but it is the low-level, everyday dehydration that leaves us feeling run down over time.  Most adults (up to 75%) are living with chronic mild dehydration.  This is an easy problem to remedy, just drink more water but ask yourself, if it is so easy, why are you not already doing it?  I have heard it all, people don’t like the taste, or bathroom trips are too frequent and distracting.  Stay tuned because we have a praxis that addresses all of these problems.  

Purification is Important but Water is Critical

Debates rage about water purification and each argument propounds only a specific system, whether charcoal blocks to colloidal silver to reverse osmosis filters.  I use a reverse osmosis system because I was able to install it myself and I enjoy the taste.  I also use liquid mineral drops to avoid overly sterilized water.  I have used charcoal block and colloidal silver as well, in more rugged settings.  All that being said,, plain tap water is fine in most places.  Don’t overthink this step.  The only thing I do not recommend is the use of water from plastic bottles.  Plastic used to store bottled water is a neurotoxin and can cause reproductive harm in addition to creating tons of waste.  

The Benefits

Water is linked to intuition because it is an invisible fluid that envelops everything it touches. Inside our bodies, it facilitates cognition and memory functions (storage and recall), along with a million other processes and systems in our body.   When we are dehydrated, even slightly, mental processes and muscle coordination are impacted and we are more prone to clumsiness.

You have all already been told that drinking more water can improve your skin.  If you have the misfortune of getting cold sores, ensuring you remain hydrated can stave off outbreaks.  Hydration benefits digestion, which can also improve our skin. Additionally, adequate water intake also benefits cognition and muscle coordination.

Drinking more water will decrease hunger.  When we ignore our systems, they will ring other bells to get our attention.  This is why we often feel hungry when we are actually thirsty.  Since thirst signals are subtle, they can be overlooked in the general distraction of daily life.  The body then sends hunger signals, which are much stronger and also generally produce an influx of fluids.  Starting your day hydrated can help your willpower to resist those donuts at work.  

Praxis

Conventional wisdom would have us separate intake of food and water so that we don’t dilute our digestive fluids and to avoid bloat after meals.  Fair enough but, we have more to do than caretake our bodies; we have school, jobs and businesses to run, hobbies, pets, children.  It can be difficult to find the time to get enough water in between meals.  We are, therefore, the timing of this praxis will have us start strong and plan to succeed. 

• Buy yourself a thirty-two ounce bottle. I like Santa Cruz organic lemonade in those pretty, 32oz., diamond patterned bottles.  They are much more useful than an insulated water bottle. If you bought lemonade, drink it, preferably while sitting in a sunny spot.  We want to retain the bottle.  This will be your new best friend.  

  
  

• First thing when you get out of bed tomorrow morning, put the kettle on and fill your 32oz. glass bottle half full with water from the spout (purified or otherwise).  Add a splash or vanilla, rosewater, or orange blossom water and a half teaspoon of sea salt. Add a teaspoon of honey for good flavor.  When the kettle boils, fill your glass jar being careful to pour the water into the jar.  Don’t splash hot water on the side of the jar or it will become too hot to touch and could possibly shatter.   Give the water a gentle swirl and take the bottle wilt you to your living room.  

  
  

• You are going to want to sit down for this.  It will be difficult at first.  Remember, the benefits outweigh any temporary discomfort.  Once you are seated and have your big bottle of water, you know what you have to do.  Stop staring at it and drink. It can require great resolve to finish the last few sips but go ahead.

  
  

• After you have downed thirty-two ounces of water, give yourself a few minutes to absorb and adjust.  Take a deep breath and stare out the window. 

  • You may feel one or several sensations.  Your chest and abdomen may become quite hot, like sitting in a sauna but this will quickly subside.  You may sweat but it will subside quickly.  Most clients report that their bowels are ready to move.  You will also probably have to urinate twice in the next hour as the water flushes through your system.  

    
    

• Once you’ve left the couch, give yourself at least fifteen minutes before eating.  Take a walk if your schedule allows and get ready for your day before breakfast.  

  
  

• The first few days can be challenging but it is a habit worth building. Persist and you will be rewarded.  

  
  

• The second round of water should be taken in the afternoon, ideally around 2pm but at least an hour after lunch.  Timing is important to avoid impacting digestion post-meal and sleep during the night.  Follow the same routine.  Mix your warm and cold water, sit down somewhere comfortable and drink it all.  Another thirty two ounces down the hatch.  When the bottle is empty, congratulate yourself.  You did it.  

Good News

The good news is you don’t need to drink any other water throughout the day but you certainly may.  Your body is flush with the fluids it needs for your joints, muscles, organs and the excess will remove toxins and waste.  It took me a few months to really adapt to the pattern but now if I don’t drink my water in the morning, my body certainly signals its need through thirst and hunger.  Be aware that you are not getting all the water you need with these sixty four ounces.  About a third of the water your body needs is absorbed through your food. 

Incorporate this daily practice and see if you don’t notice improved skin, decreased hunger, better digestion, clearer thinking, better memory, and stronger intuition.  

Douse yourselves.