Table of contents:
- Does drinking water relieve stress?
- The effects of drinking deficiency and stress rotate like cycles
- Tips for maintaining body fluids when stress hits
Stress can be defined as a condition in which the body and brain experience pressure in response to the threat at hand. This causes your body to react in a way that will allow you to deal with the pressure. The reactions include a racing heart, easy sweating, or you have trouble thinking. Well, one way to help the body get rid of stress is to drink enough water.
Does drinking water relieve stress?
The human body is mostly composed of water. About 60 percent of the human body composition is water. Well, it turns out that the brain has a higher water composition than the body as a whole, which amounts to about 73 percent. That is why when body fluids decrease, brain function will experience problems to think clearly so that it interferes with the stress management process.
Of course you can conclude, drinking water can help meet the fluid needs in the brain. If you have enough fluid in your brain, you will be better able to relieve stress.
The effects of drinking deficiency and stress rotate like cycles
Whether it's a stressful condition that causes dehydration or a dehydration that triggers stress, they both cycle like a vicious circle.
The emergence of stress stems from the reaction of the adrenal glands which are located above the kidneys. These glands produce the stress hormone cortisol. Basically this is normal, because these hormones make a person more alert to deal with stress.
However, you will feel signs such as an increase in heart rate and breathing that becomes heavier or fully tired. Both of these processes will unconsciously increase the volume of water that leaves the body.
The high level of cortisol also means there are other hormonal disorders such as aldosterone. This hormone plays a role in regulating electrolyte levels. When aldosterone levels decrease, the body loses its ability to maintain electrolyte balance and eventually the body becomes dehydrated.
Meanwhile, dehydration will cause signs of severe stress. This is because when the body is dehydrated, the circulation process will also be hampered. As a result, less oxygen is carried to the brain and other parts of the body. That's why it is distraction mood Mild and difficulty concentrating can occur since the body is slightly dehydrated.
Both dehydration and stress share the same symptoms, such as increased heart rate, weakness, headaches, and nausea. At the same time, dehydration causes the brain and body to not work optimally to relieve stress. Experiencing prolonged stress is also closely related to a pattern of consuming less water (so you rarely drink) to adrenal fatigue and depression.
Tips for maintaining body fluids when stress hits
To break the vicious cycle between not drinking enough and stress, the key is not to drink enough. To relieve stress and prevent dehydration, follow these tips.
- Recognize when the body starts to become deprived of water. Immediately drink water when thirsty and the color of the urine becomes darker with a more pungent odor.
- Drink enough. A person's drinking water needs are around 2-4 liters per day. Increase your drinking water consumption if you are physically active, are in a hot or dry environment, and sweat a lot.
- Always have drinking water available. Take your water bottle with you in your bag. Also provide drinking water at your desk or in the bedroom.
- Choose a good water source. Mineral water can help maintain body fluids much more effectively than sugary drinks, soda, or coffee.
