Hydration: More Than Just Drinking Water
We’ve all heard it before,“Drink more water!” And while it’s true that water is essential, hydration is about way more than just chugging glass after glass of water. Here’s why it matters: water makes up about 60% of the human body. It’s not just a “nice to have,” but it’s literally what keeps us alive and functioning. Did you know that water helps:
Regulate your body temperature
Transport nutrients to your cells.
Give structure to your tissues and cells.
Remove waste and keep things moving.
When you’re hydrated, your liver, kidneys, and detox pathways can actually do their jobs, clearing out toxins, filtering out what doesn’t belong, and keeping you feeling more energized and less sluggish. When you’re not properly hydrated, your lymph and blood can both take a big hit which can have a ripple effect on the whole body.
Here’s what happens. Your blood get thicker and your lymph flows slows down. Water is a key component of blood plasma, so when you’re dehydrated, your blood volume decreases and the blood becomes more concentrated (thicker). When the blood becomes concentrated this makes it harder for your heart to pump and can reduce oxygen delivery to your cells, and can leave you feeling tired, dizzy or foggy. Dehydration reduces overall blood flow. Less circulation means slower healing, less nutrients delivered to your body and cold hands and feet.
Your lymphatic system is like your body’s drainage network, moving waste, toxins and immune cells. It’s about 95% water. So without enough hydration, the lymph fluid becomes sluggish, waster products linger in your tissues longer and your immune sestet can't respond as quickly! This is why when your dehydrated you feel puffy, swollen or just plain old “blah.”
Both the blood and lymph carry waste products to your liver and kidneys to be filtered out. Without enough water, these organs can’t filter efficiently, so toxins build up! This can cause headaches, skin breakouts, and a heavy, bloated feeling.
The Truth About Staying Hydrated
Staying hydrated isn’t just about quenching thirst, it’s about keeping your body’s transport systems (blood and lymph) flowing freely so you can feel clear, energized and resilient. You don’t have to drown yourself in water to stay hydrated. In fact, over-hydrating without minerals can actually flush out important electrolytes. The sweet spot? Drinking water steadily throughout the day and adding hydration from whole foods and mineral-rich liquids.
Some of my favorite ways to stay hydrated:
Lemon water – helps to flush the lymph and liver while giving the body some vitamin C.
Coconut water – nature’s electrolyte drink.
Fresh raw veggies – cucumbers, celery, peppers… all loaded with water content.
Fresh fruit – watermelon, honeydew, cantaloupe, oranges, berries.
Cucumber juice – cool, refreshing, and full of minerals your body loves.
💡 Hot Mess Tip: Start your morning with a tall glass 16-24oz of lemon water before you put anything into your body. It flushes the liver which has been working hard all night and flushes the lymph. while waking up your digestion. Plus it just sets the tone for the rest of the day that your are taking control of your health!