Drinking Enough Water: This Is How Much You Need Each Day
74% of the population use some form of water service to ensure the water they’re using and drinking is safe for them and their family. While we’re on the subject of clean and purified water, how much water are you drinking, and are you drinking enough water every day?
There’s tons of information on the internet, but it can be challenging to determine how much water to drink for your specific body type and lifestyle. Not only will we get into the specifics of drinking water, but we’re also going to fill you in on the signs of dehydration you need to look out for.
Continue reading below.
Water Consumption Based on Weight
Typically the answer to how much water to drink during the day is cut and dry. Still, in reality, there are several other factors to consider to ensure you’re consuming the right amount of water. For example, your weight is one of the essential factors in determining how much water you should be drinking.
For each pound you weigh, you should aim to drink half an ounce to a full ounce of water. This means that for someone that weighs 150 pounds, you should have upwards of 150 ounces of water per day. Of course, this is different for men and women, but the general rule of how much to drink per day by ounces is above.
Based On Activity Level, How Much Water Should You Consume?
The more you exercise, the more water you’ll lose via sweating. As you continue to increase your activity levels, you must ensure you’re staying hydrated, especially if you live in a warm climate or are exercising in a hot environment.
It’s best to consume around 20 ounces of water or another beverage with electrolytes a few hours before you work out. During the time you spend exercising, you should consume another ten ounces and a few more after you’ve completed your workout.
How Much Water Do Pregnant/Breastfeeding Women Need?
Pregnant or breastfeeding women have to drink more water and intake more nutrients to ensure their bodies and babies have what they need to grow and develop and remain healthy. If a woman is pregnant, she needs to consume upwards of 12 cups or 96 ounces of water every day.
This is because water is essential to helping the body create the amniotic fluid that will encompass the baby the entire time they’re in the womb. Another reason to drink more water is to ensure that the mother’s nutrients can surround the baby and make it easier to push waste out of the body.
Signs of Dehydration & How to Avoid It
Now that you understand how much water to consume for your body weight and activity level, here are some signs of dehydration that you should always avoid. Some signs of dehydration include:
- Feeling increasingly tired
- Peeing less than normal
- Having dry lips or a dry mouth
- Feeling lightheaded
- Dark and smelly urine
The best way to avoid becoming dehydrated is to ensure your selection of water products that provide you with a consistent supply throughout the day. You can also increase your intake of foods in your diet that is high in water, such as celery or apples.
The last thing you should do when dehydrated is attempt to chug water, as it won’t have the effect you think it will.
Drinking Enough Water: How Much Water is Right?
There are several factors to consider when it comes to drinking enough water. These include your weight and whether or not you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
If you want to know more about water consumption, check out some of these refreshing posts we’ve created in this section.