Your breath stinks.
Brush and floss regularly but still struggle with embarrassing breath? You might just need to drink more water. A healthy, hydrated body produces saliva, which in turn fights bacteria. Not enough water equals less saliva, which in turns means more bacteria. And that bacteria? It smells. If you can’t tell if you have unpleasant breath and there’s nobody in your life willing to be brutally honest, dry mouth is also a sign of the same situation. Luckily, drinking water is an easy fix.
Your skin is dry.
Seems obvious when we point it out, doesn’t it? Much like lack of water dries out your mouth, it also dries out your skin. No wonder the first step in skin care advice is always, “Drink enough water!” More specifically, if you typically have oily skin and suddenly notice dry patches, it probably means you’ve become dehydrated. As Bustle points out, dehydrated skin lacks moisture, not oil, so that “combination” skin might actually be oily skin not getting enough water. Plus, if you’re dehydrated, you’re sweating less, meaning your skin isn’t flushing out toxins, oils, and excess dirt the way it should, which leads to psoriasis, acne, eczema, and other skin conditions. Pay attention to your skin – including you lips! – for signs you should up your water intake.
Your digestion’s going haywire.
Feeling constipated? Experiencing painful or difficult bowel movements? Have indigestion or acid reflux? You might need to drink a lot more water. Regular, healthy hydration keeps the gastrointestinal track clean and supple, which makes everything work the way it should for regular, healthy digestion. Plus, it makes sure that your stools don’t harden and/or become difficult to pass. It’s not a pretty subject, but it’s important— and easy to fix with water.
Your urine is infrequent and/or the wrong color.
It’s another subject that’s not pretty, but your urine is probably THE Most Unexceptional way to tell if you’re ingesting enough water. You should have to urinate four to seven times a day, and your urine should be clear and/or lightly yellow. Dark yellow or amber-colored urine indicates dehydration. Anything darker than that or orange? You’re severely dehydrated, and should see a doctor.
You have sudden, intense food cravings.
In between meals but suddenly feel like you HAVE to have a snack? Hold off and have a glass of water first. While some debate the idea that our bodies mistake thirst for hunger, it is true that hydration is an important part of getting nutrients to our organs and making sure we’re digesting food properly. Dehydration is, subsequently, linked to both a lack of electrolytes and a difficulty in producing glycogen. How does that make us feel? Like we’re craving, respectively, something salty or something sweet! So if you suddenly feel like you need some chips or some chocolate, try drinking water first and see how much your willpower increases.
You have a fever or chills.
Since we associate drinking water with cooling off, this sign might be surprising, but a high fever and/or the chills that go with it can actually be a sign of severe dehydration. If your fever reaches over 101 degrees Fahrenheit, consult your doctor.
You’re in pain.
We don’t just mean headaches; we’re talking cramps, joint pain, and the muscle seizes that wake us up in the middle of the night . Our joints and cartilage are about 80 percent water, so a lack of water increases the friction in our joints that causes pain. Plus, a lack of electrolytes, potassium and sodium – all of which hydration helps increase – is linked to cramps. So if you can’t make it through your usual workout – or a night’s sleep – without pain? Drink some water.
You’re not sweating.
Something else to look out for during those workouts? How much you’re sweating. We sweat to regulate our body’s core temperature, and we can’t do that if there’s not enough water in our bodies to make that sweat. So if you have an intense workout and don’t sweat, don’t be pleased that you don’t need a shower. Get some water IMMEDIATELY.
As always, consult your doctor if you experience any unusual, intense, and/or sustained symptoms of dehydration or other health issues. The Most Unexceptional thing you can do for your body? Pay attention to it— and drink water, of course.
