The Power of Hydration to Supercharge Well-Being (Holistic Habit Stacking Week 2)
In this series on habit stacking, we’re on a mission to help you develop simple, holistic habits to enhance your well-being. We love the concept of stacking habits because you get double (or, in this three-part series, triple!) the benefits.
→ If you’re new to the idea of habit stacking, first check out this post for an intro (and access to the free habit-tracker download). Then, begin with our first post (power of stillness) here.
Today, we’re highlighting one of the smallest, yet most impactful methods: How to become a healthier version of yourself through hydration.
In the skincare world, it's often said that aging is simply drying out.
Woah. It’s crazy to think about it that way, right?
This simple (and slightly shocking!) thought speaks volumes about the hydration benefits – especially for your skin. ;) Hydration truly is a foundational habit that helps you build the most vibrant version of yourself.
Given we can’t go more than a few days without some form of water, hydration is one of the most essential components of life. And of course, glowing skin.
Believe it or not, a simple hydration boost can dramatically improve how you feel – inside and out. We can’t wait for you to use this habit to supercharge your well-being, beauty, and energy.
Hydration Facts (+ Hydration Benefits)
We know drinking water is important for practically every aspect of health. That’s no secret.
Yet, thousands of people end up in the hospital due to dehydration every year. In our hurried way of life, it’s easy to see how the importance of hydration gets overlooked. We intend to stay hydrated, but suddenly, we’re halfway through the day and have only had one glass of water!
If you’re nodding along, here’s a quick refresher on the importance of hydration for health.
Our bodies (and skin) are comprised almost entirely water (about 50 to 70%!).1 Throughout the day, all that fluid becomes depleted from things like:
→ Chemical exposure
→ Dehydrating diets
→ Drying ingredients in personal care products
…plus a multitude of other internal and external factors affecting hydration levels.
Dehydration can definitely make your skin more susceptible to fine lines and loss of elasticity. (It can also make you more susceptible to sensitivities and acne.) But hydration benefits so much beneath the surface of your skin too. Let’s highlight a few of these benefits.
Hydration + Lymph
A sluggish lymphatic system suggests your body needs a hydration boost! Lymph fluid is mostly made of water (96%!) and requires adequate hydration levels to flow + effectively remove waste. The lymphatic system is your body’s natural cleansing and detoxification system (think: your body’s personal plumbing service).
So proper hydration = better flow = brighter glow.
Hydration + Mental Health
Looking even deeper than your skin state and lymphatic system, dehydration can impact your mental health. Even slight dehydration can heighten feelings of anxiety or depression.
But don’t stress. A simple hydration boost can help you process emotions or support a balanced mood and mindset.
Other Hydration Benefits
Proper hydration for your body makes you feel better physically and emotionally. It also protects vital organs (like the liver, kidneys, and brain – to name a few). Hydration benefits optimal functioning throughout your body to:2
- Promote deeper sleep
- Improve digestion2
- Decrease brain fog + increase alertness2
- Improve kidney function
- Support healthy circulation
- Increase energy
- Decrease inflammation
- Cleanse tissues and blood
- Stimulate lymphatic drainage
- Create clear, plump skin (jello skin, anyone?)
- Maintain homeostasis throughout your body
At Primally Pure, we firmly believe skin health is linked to full-body health. Proper hydration benefits critical components like circulation, detoxification, and lymphatic drainage. But, the benefits also extend to your skin, resulting in fewer breakouts and fine lines. In short, adequate hydration levels support a naturally bright, youthful appearance.
What can’t hydration benefit? We’ll wait… ;)
With that in mind, here are a few easy, effective ways to increase hydration levels daily and start building this holistic habit.
Building the Habit: Hydration Tips + Hacks
How many times do you find yourself saying, “I should drink more water?” Well, here’s a secret to take the pressure off: It’s not about drinking more – it’s about *maximizing* the water you’re already drinking.
These are our best hydration tips to make this habit stick.
1. Hydrate in the AM With Pure Water + Natural Electrolytes
Start every morning with a hydration boost. This can immediately supercharge your well-being, beauty, and energy upon waking. It’s as simple as this: a glass of pure water + a pinch of sea salt. (We love Jacobsen Salt Co. – they test for purity and heavy metal contaminants.)
A glass of water with sea salt first thing in the morning helps remove cellular waste accumulated from your body deep cleansing overnight. It also helps prep and prime your entire system for additional hydration throughout your day.
This one simple tweak can significantly improve hydration levels and support healing at a cellular level. Unrefined salt provides a natural hydration boost similar to electrolyte powders, with much-needed mineral content. Without proper minerals, your cells may not receive the hydration they need.
Beginning your day with a tall glass of water + a pinch of sea salt will get you back on track toward optimal hydration for the day.
*Tip: Your water shouldn’t taste salty. The goal isn’t to feel like you just had a big gulp of ocean water, but a subtle hint of salt.
2. Prepare Ahead of Time (No Excuses!)
Do you prep your coffee pot at night so you can enjoy a fresh brew first thing in the morning (with minimal effort)? Well, let’s use the same concept to increase hydration.
Prep your water with sea salt before bed, so it’s ready to drink when you wake up. This helps simplify your morning routine (and any excuses you might come up with). Doing it beforehand makes you more likely to stick with your morning hydration boost. Even better, you can hydrate before your fresh brew is ready.
You can also prep your favorite oversized insulated cup or a pitcher of your favorite fruit-infused water. No more running out of time before you head out the door in the AM!
3. Consume Gel Water Foods
Believe it or not, that eight glasses of water a day thing is actually a myth. We all have unique hydration needs depending on our body type, diet, climate, and activity level. There’s no magic number to support hydration levels.
Without proper hydration levels, your cells can shrink.2 Not exactly the health results we’re going for, right? But, here’s what you can do instead of stressing over a specific number.
Feed your cells a potent form of hydration called gel water.
Gel Water is a gel-like form of water with an extra hydrogen and oxygen molecule. Technically speaking, it is water – but a supercharged version. It’s special because it closely mimics the type of water inside your cells. This makes it highly bioavailable + quicker to boost hydration at a cellular level.
Gel water is present in high levels in various vegetables and fruits. Add more of these water-rich foods to your daily diet. Try berries, melons, celery, cucumbers, or leafy greens. You can also drink green juices and smoothies for extra-hydrating + digestion-boosting properties.
Adding fresh herbs, chia seeds, or water-rich fruit to your water provides deeper, longer-lasting hydration (and flavor!).
*Tip: Check out these lively + fun hydrating drink recipes.
4. Sandwich Your Hydration (Water → Coffee → Water)
Surround your daily cup of (ahem, dehydrating) coffee with a glass of water before and after to support hydration levels. Coffee is a diuretic, so it can quickly deplete your body of the hydration it craves after eight hours of sleep.
Switching to herbal teas or warm water some mornings is a great choice too. Hydrating teas can be beneficial throughout the day to support mental focus + mood.
*Tip: Blend a tablespoon of grass-fed butter or coconut oil (which also contain hydrating gel waters and healthy fats) into your morning brew to boost your benefits.
5. Hydration Hack: Move Your Water
Drinking water or consuming gel water provides a helpful hydration boost. But take it a step further with regular movement. Moving your body helps deliver your water intake deeper into your tissues – where it’s most needed.
If you spend most of your days sitting at work, set a gentle reminder via a Post-it note or alarm on your phone to move every hour. Even gentle movement will help you gain more hydration benefits.
The same applies to your morning routine! After a long night of rest, stretching is your best friend. Especially now that you'll get even deeper sleep from boosting your hydration levels.
Do a few light stretches to stimulate lymphatic flow and support healthy fascia. This simple practice takes two minutes and helps transport the mineral-rich saltwater to your tissues.
Although they seem simple, these five hydration tips go a long way to boost internal hydration levels and support holistic health.
So you can feel and look your best.
Stacking the Habits: Sticking With it
Remember, a habit is hard – until it’s not. Soon enough, these hydration hacks will seamlessly fit into your day-to-day life and become second nature.
If morning has become your sacred time to practice 5 minutes of stillness, stack these habits together and sip your water during that time.
So many health or skin issues can be significantly supported, restored, and repaired by simply focusing on better hydration. We often overcomplicate health. But hydration is one of the simplest yet transformative habits you can begin – right now.
Happy hydrating!
XO
P.S. Download your Holistic Habit Tracker here to build on your daily stillness practice with a glass of water and a pinch of sea salt each morning!
*These habit suggestions and diet recommendations aren’t intended to be medical advice. Please see your trusted holistic health professional if you have any questions or concerns about your unique body chemistry and needs.
Sources:
- Medicine Net | What Percentage of Your Body Should Be Water?
- National Library of Medicine | Water, Hydration and Health
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