Water is life

by

Wow … I am literally only just finding out about this now. !!!!!

Dehydration or lowered water intake actually has a direct association with anxiety and depression.

I feel a bit silly as a nurse of 25 years, to be confessing to this !!!

I have always understood the importance of being adequately hydrated for a general wellness, but never actually looked into the effect it has on psychological health.

Of course I know it supports brain health, after all, our brain is 75% water but I never knew the nitty gritty behind how reduced hydration can increase anxiety and depression.

Multiple studies have been conducted that link dehydration with increased anxiety, low mood and reduced cognitive performance.
Dehydration impedes energy production in the brain which creates mental fatigue. Even as little as a 1.5% decrease in our body’s water volume can have a negative effect on our cognitive functioning… such as attention, focus, energy levels and mood.
Reduced water intake can also change how we respond to stress. It has been stated that even 500ml deficit in your required daily intake of water is said to increase the level of the stress hormone cortisol in your body. When you’re stressed, your adrenal glands produce extra cortisol and under chronic stress, your adrenal glands can become exhausted, and result in lower electrolyte levels. Lower level of electrolytes can impair essential bodily functions, causing dehydration which then causes more strain on your body resulting in more cortisol to be produced.  You are then faced with a vicious cycle of dehydration causing stress and stress causing dehydration.
Dehydration also impedes serotonin production -Serotonin is created from the amino acid tryptophan – but sufficient water is essential for tryptophan to be transported across the blood brain barrier….. so if there is not enough water to transport the tryptophan there will be less serotonin conversion, so our serotonin levels will be reduced.

 In Kissing The Black Dog, Wayne Ellis writes:

Dehydration also depletes other essential amino acids contributing to feelings of dejection, inadequacy, anxiety, irritability.

Lower water intake can also cause cells to shrink which impairs the essential transportation of oxygen, amino acids and minerals and nutrients.

Well I am now going to put it out there …

I am someone that really struggles to drink adequate amounts of water each day AND I have suffered with anxiety most of my life !! Who would have thought !!!

Imagine only just finding out now at 45 years of age,  that years of inadequate hydration will have increased my experiences of anxiety. Well no more. My intention this year is to ensure everyday I drink at least 2-2.5 litres of water, to keep not only my physical body healthy but more importantly the health of my brain.

I cant wait to see how much better I will feel with the correct and most beneficial amount of water flowing around my body.

A quick edit too.. water is also said to have calming effects on your body when consumed… so really this is always gonna be a win win scenario. Water is free…water is calming and water is going to allow you to reduce your stress hormones, help you to think more clearly and  increase your serotonin.

Its never too late to start enhancing your life for a brighter future.

Lets raise a glass for the wonderful magnificent H20 –

Water is indeed Life… !!

Enjoy

Much love

Vix