Mission PT - March 2021

AN EASY WAY TO DRINK MORE WATER And Avoid Dehydration We all know the solution to dehydration is to drink more water, but exactly how much water do we need each day? The amount will differ depending on the person, but one simple way to approximate your necessary daily intake is by dividing your body weight in half and drinking that much water (in fluid ounces) each day. For example, if you weigh 175 pounds, you’d need to drink 87.5 fluid ounces — over half a gallon — of water per day. That might seem like a lot of liquid, but you can easily drink it without trying too hard. All you have to do is be proactive: Start keeping water any place you frequent during the day. Keep a bottle in your car, at your desk, by your favorite chair, near your workout equipment, etc. Having water easily available in the places you spend the most time each day helps increase your chances of actually drinking it. An alternative approach is to purchase a giant jug that can hold all the water you need to drink in a day. Seeing it all in one place might be intimidating at first, but this method makes things very simple. Keep the jug close, and your water intake will likely increase without too much additional effort. And if you’re just not motivated to drink plain water, you can always add sugar-free flavoring or lemon to make it more enticing.

Dehydration is a big problem. Many people don’t drink enough water each day — some reports show that 75% of adults in the United States don’t drink enough water, and over a quarter are dehydrated. Though those statistics aren’t widely agreed upon, it’s obvious that most people need more fluids. Even if it feels like you’re drinking a lot of water, remember that water leaves your body every time you sweat, go to the bathroom, and even breathe. Not keeping up with proper water intake can lead to dehydration. Even mild dehydration can cause health problems and impact your brain, heart, skin, and other organs, which can lead to headaches, confusion, fatigue, and gastrointestinal distress.

Here’s How to Get More in 30 Minutes We All Need More Vitamin D

It’s spring! This means it’s the perfect time to get outside in Arizona! A lot of people have been spending more time indoors in recent months, which means they haven’t been getting the fresh air, movement, and vitamin D they need. And that last one is a big one. Even in Arizona, people don’t get enough vitamin D, which is essential to good health. Recent research has shown that vitamin D may help reduce the symptoms associated with COVID-19. While it won’t prevent infection, studies have found people who were vitamin D deficient were more likely to experience more severe symptoms than those with sufficient vitamin D levels.

So, how do you get enough vitamin D? The single best way is by spending time outdoors in the sun. But here’s the kicker: You need direct exposure to sunlight for about 20–30

minutes a day. If you wear sunscreen or cover up with clothes, you significantly reduce your body’s ability to produce vitamin D. Here’s what you can do: Go for a walk! While many of us may be hesitant to spend too much time in direct sunlight, it is necessary at times. Just make sure you’re keeping a close eye on your exposure.

You can also incorporate vitamin D-rich foods, like oily fish and eggs, into your diet or take

supplements. While these are good options if you can’t get out into the sun, they aren’t as effective as sunshine to help you get your daily dose of vitamin D. In that regard, nothing can beat a walk in the sun! And with weather like ours this time of year, that walk can also give you the movement and fresh air that your body may be craving.

Vitamin D also affects mental health. People who don’t get enough vitamin D are more likely to experience seasonal

affective disorder (SAD). While vitamin D is not a mood enhancer itself, getting the appropriate amount of vitamin D can do wonders for the mind and body.

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(480) 550-9100 • missionptaz.com

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