Connecting the Drops: Proper Hydration and Your Imagination

Does your creativity wane when you need it to wax? Are you staring at a blank page with no inspiration and a deadline? Do you feel frustrated, cranky, and tired? No need to despair—you have not been abandoned by your muse; you are probably just dehydrated!

Multiple studies have shown even mild dehydration results in fatigue, headaches, and irritability. Dehydration impairs function for tasks such as mental math, proofreading, and grammatical reasoning. This makes a lot of sense—the human brain is approximately 75% water.

Proper hydration is essential for the brain to maintain optimal function. Benefits of optimal brain function include better mood, clearer thinking, and feeling more alert, just to name a few. Staying hydrated can boost your creativity and creative thinking.

How much water does one need to achieve optimal brain function? That depends on your size, weight, and activity level. According to multiple sources, you should drink half an ounce to an ounce of water for every pound of body weight each day.

An active person in a hot climate or someone who exercises frequently would be on the higher end of this range. A person in a cooler climate or someone who is more sedentary would be in the lower range.

What is the best way to drink all this water? One sip at a time! Choose a new favorite cup, tumbler, or water bottle, and determine how many refills are needed to hit your daily hydration goal. If you struggle to meet your goal, try adding fruit slices, mint leaves, or a few drops of lemon or lime juice.

The next time you feel cranky, sluggish, or out of sorts, skip the afternoon iced coffee or cuppa, and fill up your water bottle instead.