Lately, several clients and students in the past 3 months are complaining of feeling exhausted, experiencing vertigo and migraines. On closer inquiry dehydration was most evident, aside from some other matters that required attention. Granted our winter ❄️ began suddenly and the cold 🥶 is intensely fluctuating. This affects the moisture content of the air around us and our body fluids, including absorption.
In Ayurveda our relationship to water states that our relationship to water is the ‘manifestation of consciousness’. It brings all elemental molecules together because water is a chemical energy.
D(ehydration)
Apparently you can become dehydrated even if you drink a lot of water. This is because when the electrolytes in your body are low, your body works to remove the excess water, a nasty way to get it even with the electrolytes. They call this balance a state of homeostasis.
Additionally it is theorized that migraines themselves can cause dehydration. That is sure to start a vicious cycle if that is the case. Dehydration causes migraines, which further deplete the body of hydration and in turn more migraines occur. No wonder they can last for days as your body struggles to find a balance that is providing the proper hydration.
The fact is water is a universal solvent and exists is the body as plasma, cytoplasm, serum, nasal secretion (yuk), cerebral spinal fluid, urine & sweat. To maintain life, it is essential for the without is our cells could not survive. Considering how vital water truly is to our life, I’m providing some vital tips on Ayurveda’s view for drinking water & staying hydrated all year round. Enjoy & share if you’d like!
1- It is better to drink seated ~ standing disrupts the balance of fluids and may lead to inflamation. Your kidneys pace the filtration process better when seated. Also, Your body is more relaxed while seated and helps the nervous system to digest better.
2- Avoid chugging water all at once. It is better to sip on small amounts and to swallow while taking a breathe or two throughout the day.
3- it is better to drink warm, boiled water or room temperature water. Cold water puts out our digestive fire and thus decreases proper disgestion, which leads to constipation. Whereas, warm water relieves bloating, promotes weight loss and improves digestion, to name a few benefits.
4- Drink only when you are thirsty. Ayurveda emphasizes this because everyone is different and not all of us can or needs to drink 8-glasses of water a day. However, it is important to know your cues. For example, Chewing gum is not a good substitute to measure or satisfy your dry mouth, or a measure for your own drinking system.
5- When to know you are thisty? A good indicator of being parched, are dry cracked lips. Another is the colour is your urine. If it is clear or a light straw colour this is a sign your body is hydrated.
6- First thing on waking drink a glass. For years, having learned from Ayurveda, drinking a glass first thing in the morning helps flush out the intestines and Toni fires the liver. I make a lemon ginger tea after my water to add electrolytes, which is said to get rid of inflammation, the root cause of many diseases.
7- Drink from a vessel made from silver or copper. Storing water in a copper, silver or glass container is another suggestion from the ‘science of life’, called Ayurveda. Copper has anti-cancer properties, is anti-microbial, and provides antioxidants to the bodies systems. Water has the power to clear free radicals and cools the intestines, reducing inflammation for smoother digestion. I use all three & energize water over night is a glass container with several crystals to revitalize and charge the elements positively. Have silverware, use them (I do daily), drink from them. My latest copper water vessel was gifted by a dear friend & goes with me everywhere. 🧡
Adding to this wisdom…ironically a lack of hydration is related to migraines. So in order to prevent migraines, lemon juice with a pinch of salt is the best. Combine good sea salt and lemon juice, let it dissolve and enjoy. Pink Himalayan or French sea salt is good due to the trace minerals present that also it contains (including magnesium.) Eating salt quickly is proven to raise levels of serotonin. That helps to quell pain and inflammation.
Common symptoms to establish if you are having a migraine:
- Head throbbing
- Nausea
- Halo visual
- Vomiting
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Dizziness
- Sensitive to Light, Noise, and Smell (or all at once)
- Pain that lasts from 2 to 72 hours
E(lectrolytes)
Research what electrolytes are and can do and be forewarned; Gatorade is not a good source! Electrolytes are minerals in your body with a positive electrical charge, that is why good quality salt is required. The functions of electrolytes are to help carry out some of the biggest processes in your body, mentioned above, as well as supporting nerve function, cardiovascular system, and regulating muscle metabolism.
Namaste & Love.
namaste & love ⊰♡⊱ ॐ Aum
