It’s after Christmas, and winter is officially here. Even though there tends to be precipitation, it’s usually in the form of snow, which means there’s dryness in the air and cold winds. This all leads to chapped lips and dry skin. No to mention the itchiness and peeling that comes along with it all.
Hydration to the rescue! Yes, I said hydration! I’m not going to talk about the best lip balms, or lotions. Those simply treat the symptoms. They attempt to seal in what moisture is left in the skin. But in order for those to work, you actually need moisture to begin with!
Years ago, I was trying to find out more about proper hydration. I wanted to know more about our needing an average of “64 ounces of water per day”. In my searches I found several references to the Two Week Water Challenge. Several bloggers, at the time, had posts mentioning it. Some claimed weight loss, others talked about settled stomachs, and better digestion. Most mentioned, healthier hair, better skin, and a lack of chapped lips! This intrigued me!
Essentially, it’s a glass of water before and after every meal. However, the glass before breakfast is consumed upon waking, and the glass after dinner is consumed an hour before bed. It breaks the 64 oz down to 6 easy to drink 8 oz glasses each day. It’s even easier if you keep a glass sitting in a strategic location, like by your sink, or on your table. Some people purchase 64 oz containers they keep in their fridge to pour from, to keep track. Others remove rubber bands or make marks on their cup to mark each drink. Whatever works.
Of course, in the beginning, most noticed an increased need for the toilet. At first this might seem annoying, but the body quickly adjusts, and starts to use the increase in supply. Then the magic happens!
Many noticed falling asleep easier, sleeping better, and waking up more refreshed. Some noticed an increase or decrease in appetite, better digestion, and some weight loss. This greatly appealed to me, and while I did experience better digestion, I did not experience any weight loss. However, I did notice my itchy skin was much less itchy, my lips were less painful, and my hair had less static.
After those two weeks, I continued with the protocol. I kept a specific cup by my kitchen sink and filled it up every time I was there. This amounted to each time I made my meals, so I drank a glass before meal prep, then one after cleaning up the kitchen after the meal. I kept a glass of ice by my bed, so in the morning, I had fresh cool water to gulp down immediately.
Not only did my skin stop itching so much in winter, but a patch of mild eczema that was constantly on my arm disappeared. In fact, while writing this, I cannot even remember where it was, whereas years ago, it was there year round. My fine, thin hair that was always full of static in winter was silky and easily tamed. I was sold!
Add to these benefits, a great bonus! My migraines significantly decreased in frequency, duration, AND intensity! THIS blew my mind… in a good way! THIS, more than anything else, kept me going!
It has been at least five years since I discovered this challenge. I have found hydration can come from many sources. Most beverages contain a certain amount of water, and actually count towards this hydration. This is good news to any coffee, tea, juice, and pop drinker. Though they don’t count equally 8 oz of beverage to 8 oz of water, and many of these can be somewhat dehydrating, as well. Alcoholic beverages, for example, are very dehydrating. Smoothies, fruits, and veggies can be very hydrating, as well as salads. I find my hydration through flavored waters, that I flavor myself to avoid sugar, as well as, caffeine free tea, and my own daily protein smoothie, made with water and ice rather than dairy.
In order to ensure I get the minimum of 64 oz, I now use two 32 oz tumblers that I fill each morning with my flavored waters or teas. As long as I finish these, anything else on top of those is a bonus. I used to keep bottled waters in my vehicles so I had water with me at all times, but now I just take one or both tumblers with me, everywhere.
Some tips I have learned that are very helpful. Though it may seem gross, an easy way to monitor your hydration is to monitor your urine. If it’s clear, you're well-hydrated, if it’s dark yellow, you need plenty of hydration! Feeling thirsty is actually a late sign of dehydration.
Websearch the Two Week Water Challenge to find what others have experienced. Better yet, try it for yourself and see for yourself! Have you already tried it? Let me know what your experience was!
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