Water: The Source of Life!


The climate I live in is classified as a “semi-arid desert.” It’s very dry! Just under a mile above sea level, the air is thin and people, mostly visitors, begin to show signs of “Mountain Sickness” (e.g. headaches, fatigue, dizziness, etc.) even before they even head up into the mountains. We have an expression here: “If you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated.” Whether you live up in the mountains or down at sea level, a great many people today are walking around “dehydrated” which, in no uncertain terms, is a stress to the body. In our heavily caffeinated society, its good to remind yourself that caffeine acts as a diuretic, often urging the body to deplete the essential nutrient of water through urine elimination. Stress will do this too! The combination compounds the situation. Not only does dehydration tend to make one feel more fatigued, it places stress on the body’s physiological systems to perform under pressure. One consequence of persistent dehydration is kidney stones. Water, you see, helps to clear the body of toxins and waste products that indeed need to be eliminated. The “drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water” rule is a good start with, but the actual amount is very dependent on one’s body weight. The real indication of your level of hydration is the color of your urine. Optimal hydration offers “near clear urine.” Consistently dark urine suggests potential health problems. Drinking too much water is problematic too. Balance is the key. If you have listened to the news much these days, you might have noticed that water is a hot topic: Shortages, unregulated bottled water issues, pharmaceutical toxins as well as plethora of agricultural run-off that finds it’s way into our tap water. UGH! Bottom line: It’s always a good idea to drink filtered water and enough to stay properly hydrated.

• Stress Tip for the Day: Make a mental note to pay attention to the color of your urine for the next several days and check to see how your hydration levels are. Consider drinking water at meals rather than sodas and cut back on beverages that contain caffeine.

• Website Links Worth Noting:
Greg Bradden and colleagues at the Institute of Heart Math have started an organization called the global coherence. In a nutshell, it’s about a mind shift needed by people to help make this a better world. Pleas check out this link and if so inspired join.
http://www.glcoherence.org/

Highly Recommended Book Worth Reading:
I have been a fan of Jane Goodall for several decades and I was ecstatic to read her best selling book, Reason for Hope. Not only is it an autobiography, but in it she offers hope for our world situation today. It is one of my all time favorite books and in these stressful times, I HIGHLY recommend it.

• Photo of the Day:
One of my best friends, Dan Hickin (Hi Dan!) is a nature enthusiast like me. On a visit to Ohio a few years ago he took me to the National Park by his house and we went for a hike to his favorite waterfall. It’s a beautiful waterfall.

• Quote for the Day:

“Depart not from the path from which fate has you assigned.”
— Anonymous

Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D. is an internationally renowned expert in the fields of stress management, mind-body-spirit healing and stress and human spirituality. He is the author of over 10 books including the bestsellers, Stand Like Mountain, Flow Like Water, Stressed Is Desserts Spelled Backward, The Art of Calm, Quiet Mind, Fearless Heart and Managing Stress (6E). He can be reached through his website:www.brianlukeseaward.net

© Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D.

Brian Luke Seaward

Author Brian Luke Seaward

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