Choose Water!
Getting enough water each day is important. Without enough water, you can become dehydrated, which may case health problems and stress on the body.
Dehydration occurs when your body loses more fluid than you drink.
Signs of dehydration:
- Thirst
- Dry mouth
- Decreased urine
- Dark yellow urine
- Lack of energy
- Headache
- Sleepiness
- Confusion or Irritability
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Rapid heartbeat
- Rapid breathing
How much water do you need every day?
The amount of water you need each day varies by:
- Age
- Time spent in hot or cold temperatures
- Physical activity level
- Health
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Adults should get between 6 to 8 glasses of water daily
- Drink water throughout the day and with meals
10 tips for drinking more water:
- Tip 1 – Set goals – don’t jump immediately to a goal of 8 glasses of water a day. Start small and improve little by little.
- Tip 2 – Get a bottle or cup you’ll use.
- Tip 3 – Carry a water bottle with you in the car, at school, at home and at work.
- Tip 4 – Use a marked bottle that shows how much you’ve consumed throughout the day.
- Tip 5 – Place a pitcher of water in your refrigerator. You’ll have cold water ready to drink and can keep track of how much you are drinking.
- Tip 6 – Use a straw or add ice cubes.
- Tip 7 – Avoid beverages with lots of caffeine like tea and coffee which can cause water loss.
- Tip 8 – Replace sugary drinks such as soda and energy drinks with water.
- Tip 9 – Make flavor water by adding slices of fruits or vegetables (use within 2 days)
- Tip 10 – Keep a glass of water by your bed at night for easy access.
If you get drinking water from a well, test the water regularly for safety – at least once a year.
3 options for testing drinking water from a well:
- Contact a private laboratory.
- Contact the MSDH Division of On-Site Wastewater (1-855-220-0191) or online at: www.healthyms.com/wwapply
- Contact Mississippi State University Extension’s Mississippi Well Owner Network (1-866-325-1788) or online at: www.extension.msstate.edu/natural-resources/water/mswon
Stay HappyHealthy and Hydrated!
