6 Signs You’re Not Drinking Enough Water & How to Fix It

Water is essential to every function in the body, from digestion to detoxification and even cognitive function. While we often focus on diet and exercise, hydration is equally important for sustaining our energy, enhancing our wellness, and maintaining our vitality.

6 signs you’re not drinking enough water and why staying properly hydrated is essential to your overall health. Plus, we’ll show you simple tips to help you increase your water intake and restore balance to your body.

1. Feeling Fatigued or Low on Energy

One of the most common signs that you’re not drinking enough water is feeling constantly tired or drained, even if you’ve had enough sleep. Dehydration reduces the efficiency of your body's energy systems, which can leave you feeling sluggish and unmotivated.

Why This Happens: Water helps transport nutrients throughout your body and keeps your energy levels up. Without adequate hydration, your body struggles to produce energy, and this can result in fatigue.

Tip to Fix It: Increase your water intake throughout the day by sipping water regularly, especially during meals or after physical activity. Remember to opt for filtered water so your body does not have to filter it for you.

2. Dry Skin or Dull Complexion

Your skin is a reflection of your internal health. If you notice your skin looking dry, flaky, or dull, it could be a sign that you're not hydrating enough. Water is crucial for maintaining skin elasticity and moisture.

Why This Happens: When you're dehydrated, your skin loses moisture, leading to dryness and a lacklustre appearance. Water helps maintain healthy skin and supports collagen production.

Tip to Fix It: Consider drinking water that’s infused with natural ingredients like lemon or cucumber to enhance hydration and give your skin an added boost.

3. Headaches or Migraines

Dehydration can lead to headaches or migraines due to reduced blood flow and oxygen delivery to the brain. When you're not drinking enough water, your brain can shrink, causing pain and discomfort.

Why This Happens: When you're dehydrated, your body tries to conserve water, resulting in reduced circulation and less oxygen reaching your brain, leading to tension headaches.

Tip to Fix It: Make sure to drink water consistently throughout the day and avoid excessive amounts of caffeine or alcohol, which can lead to dehydration.

4. Poor Digestion or Constipation

Water plays a critical role in your digestive system, helping to break down food and absorb nutrients. When you don’t drink enough water, your body can struggle to digest food properly, leading to bloating, indigestion, and constipation.

Why This Happens: Without sufficient water, the intestines struggle to absorb nutrients and form stool, leading to constipation. Adequate hydration keeps things moving smoothly.

Tip to Fix It: Incorporate more fibre-rich foods like vegetables, whole fruits and even Psyllium husk into your diet, and make sure to drink water consistently throughout the day to support your digestive health.

5. Cravings or Increased Appetite

Feeling hungry or experiencing frequent cravings, especially for salty or sweet snacks, can be a sign that your body is dehydrated. Many times, our bodies confuse thirst with hunger, prompting us to overeat when all we actually need is water.

Why This Happens: Dehydration affects your body’s hunger signals, leading you to believe you need food when you actually just need hydration.

Tip to Fix It: Before reaching for a snack, drink a glass of water and see if the cravings subside. You may find that your body just needed some hydration.

If you always feel thirsty, it could be that you need to opt for filtered water which makes it easier for your body to hydrate efficiently, or if you are using regular salt in your meals, opting for Celtic Sea salt which will help balance the minerals in your body, making you less thirsty.

6. Dark Yellow or Smelly Urine

One of the clearest indicators of dehydration is the colour and odour of your urine. If your urine is dark yellow or has a strong odour, it's a sign that your body is retaining as much water as possible, and you need to drink more fluids.

Why This Happens: When you're not drinking enough water, your kidneys concentrate the waste, resulting in darker, stronger-smelling urine. Hydration helps to flush out toxins more effectively.

Tip to Fix It: Aim to drink water consistently, and aim for light-coloured, odorless urine as a sign that you're properly hydrated.

Additional Tips for Staying Hydrated

• Drink Before You Feel Thirsty: Thirst is a late sign of dehydration. Make it a habit to drink water regularly, even when you're not thirsty.

• Hydrate with Whole Foods: Many fruits and vegetables, such as cucumbers, watermelon, and oranges, are rich in water and can help with hydration.

• Infuse Your Water: Add a twist of natural flavors like lemon, mint, or ginger to make your water more enjoyable.

• Monitor Your Intake: Keep track of your water intake with a reusable water bottle to ensure you’re drinking enough.

  
  

Stay Hydrated, Stay Healthy

Hydration is a simple yet powerful part of maintaining overall health and wellness. From boosting energy levels to supporting digestion and skin health, drinking enough water is essential for your well-being. By recognizing the signs of dehydration and making hydration a priority, you’ll experience the benefits of better health and vitality.

Ready to make hydration a part of your holistic lifestyle? Book a Free Call with us today at Restored Health, and we’ll guide you on how to create a personalized plan for hydration and overall wellness.