The ancient art of Ayurvedic medicine introduced the idea of drinking water to aid in the treatment of disease. Today, people all over the world use "water therapy" to recover from chronic conditions like arthritis, asthma, and some types of cancer. Drinking water as soon as you wake up is one of the finest ways to consume it!
How much water do you need to drink upon waking up?
So how much water to drink first thing in the morning? To get the most out of water therapy, drink 5 to 6 glasses first thing in the morning. Then, wait at least 30 minutes to 1 hour before you eat or drink anything else. This helps to flush out the system and immediately hydrate the body. Of course, be sure to drink water throughout the day as well.
If drinking 5 to 6 glasses of water first thing upon waking seems like too much for you, then you can modify it. Upon waking, immediately drink 1 to 2 glasses, then, do not eat or drink anything else for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour. Strive to drink a total of 3 to 4 glasses (including your morning glasses) before noontime and 5 to 7 glasses of water in the afternoon before nighttime. Finally, complete the total of 8 glasses of your water therapy by having a final glass after dinnertime. Note: Be sure not to drink too much water before bedtime as this can interfere with sleep causing you to wake up to use the bathroom.
It is recommended that you refrain from drinking alcohol as much as possible since it has serious dehydrating effects on the body.
Below are 12 great reasons why you should drink water first thing in the morning
Reasons To Drink Water First Thing When You Wake Up
1. Cleanses the Colon
After a long night of sleep with no food in your stomach, drinking water first thing in the morning will help cleanse or purify your colon and entire body. This enables your system to absorb more nutrients from the food you eat, after it has rid itself of all its toxins.
2. Improves Kidney Health
Passing kidney stones are as painful as giving birth. By staying hydrated you can avoid having these stones and other impurities in your body and its associated kidney infections.
3. Helps with Cell Renewal
Cell renewal is the way our bodies replace its damaged cells with new ones. Drinking more water (especially in the morning) helps speed up this process so you can have a new supply of healthy cells in your muscles and bloodstream. This means renewed energy/vitality!
4. Alleviates Constipation
Constipation is often among the symptoms of dehydration. Water helps remove impurities from your body, hence plays an important role in proper elimination. Likewise, the body absolutely needs to be hydrated for digestion to even work in the first place. Without proper hydration, digestive processes slow down.
5. Relieves Sinusitis
Sinus symptoms can make you feel miserable. No matter the cause – whether it’s caused by allergies or a virus – drinking water can effectively lessen the mucus in your sinuses, at the same time reduces inflammation so you can breathe with ease again.
6. Stops Headaches and Increases Mental Acuity
The human brain is made up of 85 percent water, and our muscles are also at least 75 percent water. Headaches are often a result of dehydration or inadequate hydration. No wonder, drinking water first when you wake up helps stop headaches.
Likewise, other symptoms of dehydration include foggy thinking, fatigue, and general confusion, which can all interfere with productivity. This easy morning water routine hydrates your brain giving you optimal mental performance.
7. Reduces Arthritis
Fluid lubricates the joints, and this fluid can increase or decrease according to your daily water intake. Note that heavy activity and aging also decreases your body’s fluids. Drinking more water regularly helps replenish the lubricant to your joints so they can move more easily.
8. Helps with Menstrual Disorders
Many women suffer monthly from menstrual cramps, bloating, mood swings, and other symptoms. Adding a fresh supply of water to your system on a constant basis effectively reduces water retention associated with bloating, plus, this also lubricates and helps relax the muscles, hence preventing cramps.
9. Good for the Lymphatic System
If have ever experienced a sore throat with a swollen lymph gland, then you already know how our lymph system works to fight off infections. Drinking more water helps balance and flush out the lymphatic system so you will experience fewer symptoms.
10. Helps with Healing
A Japanese medical society revealed that water therapy is best for healing even the most major or serious medical conditions such as Tuberculosis, Diabetes and Cancer. These Japanese experts emphasize using only clean, purified drinking water for maximum healing to take effect.
11. Promotes Radiant Skin
Many people immediately notice an improved appearance of their skin after drinking more water. People notice their skin looks clearer, plumper and more youthful. Indeed, drinking water first thing when you wake up helps flush out the toxins and impurities from your bloodstream, at the same time hydrates the skin, smoothing out its fine lines or wrinkles, giving it a rosy glow.
12. Helps with Weight Loss
It has been shown that drinking half a liter of chilled drinking water instantly speeds up metabolism by as much as 24 percent (especially with exercise). Now that’s the real secret to easy yet effective weight loss!