Are you drinking enough water?

Are you drinking enough water? Hydrate for better mental health

Are you drinking enough water? This is certainly a pertinent topic right now as the UK is experiencing its second bout of extremely hot weather. It is more important than ever to make sure that you are drinking enough water and keeping yourself sufficiently hydrated. When we think about improving our mental health we often think about starting therapy or speaking to a doctor. Whilst these are important steps to consider we can also take immediate action by doing small things like increasing our water intake, going for a walk every day and including more fruits and vegetables in our diet, taking up a new hobby or reaching out to a friend.

Why will drinking more water help us to feel better mentally and emotionally?

“Our brains depend on proper hydration to function optimally,” explains neuroscientist Dr Joshua Gowin. “Brain cells require a delicate balance between water and various elements to operate and when you lose too much water, that balance is disrupted. Your brain cells lose efficiency.”

Four Daily Micro Habits

Our brains are made up of 75% water, so it makes complete sense that if we are not drinking an adequate amount this would have an impact on our brain’s functioning and therefore how we feel.

Studies have shown that just being dehydrated by 2% impairs things like memory and focusing on your daily tasks.

Because of this, reducing water intake can lower your mood too, since dehydration creates a stressor on the body – and may also impact mood-boosting hormones such as serotonin, that are found in our brain.

Studies have also shown that people who drink more water are at lower risk of experiencing anxiety and depression than those who drank less water.

What are the signs and symptoms of dehydration?

Monitoring yourself for when you might be dehydrated is important and below are some signs and symptoms to look out for. However it is important to try not to let your body become dehydrated below are some tips on how to keep your hydration up.

  • Feeling thirsty
  • Having a dry mouth
  • Dry Skin
  • Dark yellow urine
  • Constipation
  • Feeling sleepy or fatigued
  • Headache or feeling sick
  • Increased heart rate or blood pressure

Tips for keeping hydrated

How much you should drink depends on your activity level and age. 

  • Have water to hand in a water bottle. Think about what sort of bottle is best for you, do you prefer to drink from a straw, do you need to make sure its none leak, (my favourite are Sigg Bottles, they are the only ones I have found that don’t leak)
  • If you are not keen on plain water consider adding fresh fruits to your water, or no added sugar juice squash, or add ice.
  • Consider swopping hot drinks such as coffee or tea to fruit teas or simply pain hot water.
  • Increase the amount of fruit and vegetables you eat. Fruits and vegetables with a high water content can increase your water intake.
  • Monitor your water intake with apps that can remind you to drink.
  • Act on feelings of thirst, don’t leave it.
  • Try to have a glass of water first thing in the morning.
  • Think about where you leave your glass or water bottle. Is it best to keep it where you work to prompt you to drink or have a glass by the sink to prompt you when you go into the kitchen.

Another blog on this website that you might find interesting is Keeping Hydrated for Better Mental Health


If you are struggling with any issue or problem and would like to speak with a professional please Call Paul on 07843 813537. Please leave a message if he can’t answer your call and he will call you back as soon as possible. If you have any other questions or enquiries please call or send him a message by completing the online enquiry form. Due to COVID Paul is currently working exclusively online or on the telephone.