A new month, a new Wellness Challenge, friends! This month, we’re looking for new, creative ways to drink more water. But first, let’s recap April’s challenge. As always, let us know how it’s going here in the comments or on Twitter and LinkedIn.
April: Laughter
Last month, we challenged you to find ways to incorporate humor into your daily and weekly routine. Laughter is baked into the CEEK Team’s interactions. We’re not comedians, but we regularly share our lighthearted moments, using laughter to break tension in meetings, lift each other up when needed, and grow as a team. Some of us are even punny. 🙂
May’s Challenge: We challenge you to find new, creative ways to increase your water intake.
More than 60% of a healthy human body is comprised of water. Water facilitates vital functions like digestion, circulation, absorption, removal of toxins, and maintenance of body temperature. Water is also known to help you think more clearly and can be an effective weight loss strategy as a replacement for high-calorie beverages. If your fluid intake does not equal or exceed your fluid output, you can become dehydrated, leading to headaches and dizziness. More importantly, you put your general health at risk as critical bodily functions are hindered.
As the hot summer months approach, it is essential to get plenty of water to sustain and improve your health. According to the Institute of Medicine (IOM), adequate fluid intake is approximately 11 cups a day for women and 15 cups a day for men. You should increase this intake if you are exercising and if you are spending time in hot and humid weather.
To meet your daily hydration requirements, try carrying a refillable water bottle. Make a habit of drinking a glass of water with or before your meals and snacks. You can also eat fruits and vegetables that have high water content, such as watermelon, cantaloupe, grapefruit, cucumber, spinach, and salad greens. If you are accustomed to sweetened drinks, consider adding lemon, lime, berries, or other fruits or vegetables to a pitcher of water as an alternative with a refreshing hint of flavor.
Get a new water bottle. Carry it with you during the day and track your water intake. Commit to one month where you only order water when eating out. Treat yourself to a massage or night out with the money you save. Drink more water, think more clearly, improve your health, and…CEEK a Better Way®!
