There’s nothing but sand for miles. A sunburned person dirty, ragged clothing is crawling towards what turns out to be a mirage. The person remembers their trusty canteen, but when they tip it towards their lips, nothing but sand pours out. This person is dehydrated — at least that’s how the cartoons of your youth may have you imagine. The truth is, you could be dehydrated right now. Here are some of the less dramatic signs of dehydration:
- Your skin looks like an old leather bag. If you gently tug on your skin, how quickly does it rebound? Do the tiny wrinkles on your face or hands suddenly look like deep crevices? This is a sure sign that you’re dehydrated (and probably have been for several hours).
- You feel lethargic (despite getting ample rest). Your body is mostly water, so when it’s dehydrated, even the simplest tasks take effort. Water helps your body function, so if you suspect that dehydration is the reason you’re feeling tired, be sure to drink water — particularly if you plan to engage in rigorous activity anytime soon.
- You’re thirsty. This may seem obvious, but by the time you actually feel thirst, you’ve been dehydrated for a while. To avoid that parched feeling altogether, be sure to sip on water all day long.
- You’ve got a headache. Sure, there are other reasons for headaches, but if you’re not prone to them and you start to experience that pounding sensation, it just might be because you’re dehydrated.
- Your urine is darker than usual. When this happens, it’s because all of the toxins being flushed out of your body are concentrated. Give your body a hand by drinking more water; that way it won’t have to work so hard to keep you healthy.
- You can’t shake that mental fog. If you find yourself rereading the same sentence again and again or forgetting why you walked into the other room, it could be because your brain is water starved. While it may be your instinct to go for a source of caffeine, try water first. Caffeine may provide a temporary boost, but as a diuretic, it won’t help you rehydrate.
One way to ensure that you drink enough water to avoid dehydration is to make sure your water source provides you with clean and great-tasting water. The SpringWell Whole House Filtration System does just that, making it far more likely that you and your family will drink enough to stay healthy. Contact us today to learn about the other benefits of our system.