The doctor reveals the little-known reason why you’re tired all the time

If you’re anything like me, you’re likely chronically dehydrated.

Despite lugging around a toddler-sized Stanley drink bottle to appear to have my life together, my water intake is erratic at best and severely damaging to my kidneys at worst. bad.

Usually the main way I know I’m dehydrated is because I start to get moody.

And not in a justifiable way, as I like to tell myself all my moods are.

There is no exact cause or trigger, which annoyingly means that I am unable to direct my mood towards anything or anyone and am left to discover again that it is the consequences of my actions.

Tip: I’m tracking down quick fixes for rehydration and I come across a video from an influencer where she says she slurps Hydralyte tablets like they’re a lollypop, so I slurp Hydralyte tablets like they’re a lollypop and then wonder why I don’t feel rather three seconds later.

EVERYTHING.

The moral of the story is a) you shouldn’t take your hydration advice from an influencer and b) you don’t think straight when you’re dehydrated.

Yes, there is a legitimate connection between drinking enough water and your mood.

To learn more, and hopefully drill this fact into my brain once and for all, I decided to turn to an expert.

How much water should we drink?

According to Dr. Zac Turner, there is no one size fits all when it comes to hydration.

The recommended amount of water you should drink per day varies based on individual factors such as activity level and climate.

Men should aim for approximately 15 cups (about 3.7 liters), while women should aim for about 11 cups (about 2.7 liters).

It is important to note that this total includes not only water, but also liquids from herbal teas, juices and moisture from foods.

“Yes, things like fruits and vegetables help!” notes Dr. Turner.

The connection between water and mood

If you start to feel a little groggy or groggy throughout the day for no apparent reason why, it could be a sign that you’re dehydrated.

“It’s your body telling you it’s not getting the water it needs,” says Dr. Turner.

And research backs this up, showing that even mild dehydration can lead to increased anxiety, irritability and stress.

“It’s like when your phone’s battery is at 10%—it’s still working, but not as well,” he says, noting that dehydration disrupts the brain’s ability to maintain composure and focus. .

The reason why you are tired all the time

Constantly feeling tired or sluggish can also be related to insufficient hydration.

“Think of your body as a machine. If you don’t put enough gas in it, it will sputter and run out of steam.

“If you think of water a bit like oil for your car, then not having enough can overheat and damage many other processes as well.”

Dr. Turner explains that when you’re dehydrated, your body doesn’t have the fluids it needs to function properly, leading to fatigue and low energy.

He points out that you don’t need to be very dehydrated to feel these effects. says.

For example, if someone weighs about 150 pounds, losing just 25-50 ounces of water, roughly a few glasses, can contribute to feeling that way.

“However, if you’re really dehydrated,” he adds, “more than five percent or more, you can start to feel dizzy or even confused.”

Disturbing long-term effects of dehydration

Chronic dehydration can cause a disordered stress response in the body, potentially worsening anxiety and low mood over time.

“Staying hydrated helps keep things in balance, including the hormones that affect your mood. So it’s definitely a good idea to keep that water bottle handy, not just for your body, but for your brain too!

How to fix dehydration

For those who need to rehydrate, Dr. Turner recommends a gradual approach.

“The best way to rehydrate is to take it slow. Think of it like watering a plant – you don’t dump a whole bucket on it at once.

For mild dehydration, drinking water continuously throughout the day should work.

However, in cases of severe dehydration, especially after intense activity or illness, he suggests choosing drinks that contain electrolytes, such as sports drinks or oral rehydration solutions.

“They’ll help you get those important minerals back into your system,” he explains.

Ultimately, Dr. Turner encourages people to carry a bottle with them every day and yes, use it!

“Take small sips, you’ll feel a lot better about it,” he says. “Water is the ‘fuel’ your body needs to run smoothly.