The Importance of Drinking Water

Jordan Deal, Student Nurse

How much water have you had to drink today? If you are like most people, it probably is not enough. It can be difficult during the cold of winter to remember to stay hydrated. Even though you might not be sweating as much as you would during the summer, you still need plenty of water to support your body’s daily functions.

According to Healthykids.gov, kids your age should have 8-10 glasses. Eight glasses of water is equivalent to a half-gallon or about the same as 2 liters. It is important to hydrate all day long not just drinking all your water at once. To do this, try to drink a 16 oz (which is slightly larger than a can of coke) of water every three hours during the day. Sipping on water all day helps get your water in too. Drinking large amounts of water at one time does not provide your body enough time to efficiently use the water, but it will quickly fill your bladder, meaning more trips to the bathroom (you know teachers LOVE that) but not really helping your body in the ways it truly needs the water.

As like any other time of the year, make sure to drink extra water after sports and exercise. This will help to replace the water lost due to sweat, help you regulate body temperature, and help prevent you from becoming dehydrated. Mild dehydration can lead to being very tired, headaches, and constipation (when you have not pooped for 3 days or your poop is hard...I know GROSS!) while more severe dehydration can be life- threatening.

Water is the only fluid your body needs for survival. Fruit juices, sports drinks, flavored milks and soft drinks are full of extra sugars that can lead to unnecessary weight gain and obesity. Childhood obesity is a growing problem and it is largely due to unhealthy choices when it comes to nutrition. Not only can drinking water help you maintain a healthy weight, it can also help you save money. Bringing in from home a reusable clear water bottle filled with water every morning and refilling it from the water fountain is a lot cheaper than purchasing other drinks, and you can express your individuality with the bottle and decorations you choose for it. Fun and healthy for you, and good for the environment. Make sure it’s a CLEAR bottle!

Drinking water is an important part of living healthy. We all know that we need to be more active, and being well-hydrated is a big part of that. Your body will run more efficiently, you will be able to stay more focused because you are not as tired, and you will have more energy to play with your friends and family. What are you waiting for? Go finish that bottle of water!