Reflections on Water

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Written by Lyne Desforges, R.H.N., 2017

Sitting quietly here at the family cottage in Southampton, I realize how much water is an important part of my life. Walking along a lake has the ability to calm me and soothe my soul.

Watching the sun rising over Lake Ontario when working out with my favourite fitness class is the best way to start my day. Watching the sun setting over Lake Huron, while at the cottage offers the best visual spectacle and sets the tone for the evening to follow, a great way to finish the day.

Water is the essence of life. It is so precious that countries have fought over it. It is becoming an export commodity that can rival oil. It is a cooling agent that is essential in energy production. It is used symbolically in many religious rituals and celebrations.

As Canadians, we are so very lucky to have easy access to water. We have oceans bordering our country on three sides and we can boast about having the most freshwater lakes in the world. Most Canadians live close to water and enjoy water-based leisurely activities all year round.

With water being omnipresent in most of our lives, why is it so hard for all of us to just drink more water regularly? Is it a lack of consciousness, knowledge or simple forgetfulness? The benefits of hydration for the human body are plentiful so let’s work together on it. Let’s make our bodies sing with joy and reconnect with the essence of life.

Challenge yourself to increase your water intake slowly every day. Start by an extra glass a day till you reach your recommended intake.

So how much fluid do you need to stay properly hydrated?

According to the Mayo clinic, men need 3 litres of fluid per day while women need 2.2 litres. These amounts will vary according to the person’s size, age, health, activity level and the weather. Fluid intake can be from water, juices, herbal teas, soups, smoothies, and food (i.e. cucumbers).

Coffee and alcohol don’t count as they are dehydrating and require even more fluid to compensate!

Here is a quick way to calculate your water needs:

Take your weight in pounds and divide it by 2. The result is the # of fluid ounces you need per day (8 fluid ounces = 1 cup).

Next time you are looking out over a body of water or simply enjoying a glass of it, take time to truly appreciate this element we too often take for granted!