Most people think they are drinking enough water because we drink when we get thirsty. However, our bodies become imbalanced when the mechanism that signals thirst shuts down. In the following article, we hope you learn why your body stops signaling thirst, how to sense your own hydration levels, and how to get your body back on track.

Nowadays, with all the alternative options to water available to us, many people are chronically dehydrated. We think we are getting enough fluids from what we do drink that we actually don’t drink much water. When we ask people why they’re not drinking more water we typically get the same response: “I’m not thirsty.”

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In light of this, we took it upon ourselves to research into why people who a chronically dehydrated are not thirsty. And while it doesn’t make any sense – it turns out there is actually a reason for this.

How Much Water Should You Be Drinking?

To put it in perspective, this is how much water you should be drinking daily – if you are doing no physical activity.

What is Dehydration?

Our bodies cells need water to function and we are constantly having to replenish that water in order to function. Similarly to drinking water and excreting it in the form of urine, our cells absorb water and excrete waste fluid through sweat, urine, and breathing – yup your body loses water through breathing.

When your cells don’t get the water they need we become dehydrated. Under normal conditions our body would then trigger the thirst mechanism, so we know we need to drink more water.

The Thirst Mechanism

A part of the brain called the hypothalamus, which sits about in line with your eyes and in the center of your head, is responsible for signaling for thirst (amongst other important functions).

There are certain things that trigger the hypothalamus to tell us to drink such as the level of sodium in our blood vessels, variations in blood volume and pressure, and the like.

However, for a vast majority of us, this mechanism has been hampered. Essentially, we’ve lost it because we’ve misplaced the gift of metabolic balance in our bodies.

The human body is designed to be in motion. In the 21^st century, we have established sedentary lifestyles. We have reduced motion so much that we have compromised our bodies alignment and altered our cellular energy.

How Do I Know I’m Dehydrated If I’m Not Thirsty?

Many of these indicators are subtle, so it’s really important to pay attention to them in the beginning. Over time you will become more in tune with them and your body. What you want to be looking for is:

• Your urine becoming dark yellow, thick, and odorous
• You are having energy swings
• You are struggling to sleep
• Your hair and nails become brittle
• You experience cramp

What Should You Do About It?

Surprisingly, the answer isn’t to drink more water! This is because the dehydration has caused the cells to retain fluid meaning any water you drink sits in your gut rather than being absorbed. Also, don’t fall for all the ‘isotonic’ sports drinks. They are packed full of sugar and are detrimental to the cause.

One technique recommended by Pete Egoscue, a renowned postural therapist for elite athletes and celebrities alike, is to take a shot glass, fill it up, and drink 5 shots in quick succession. Wait 30 minutes and repeat. Do this morning and night for a week and you should start to feel thirsty again.

We also recommend drinking coconut water as it is full of natural electrolytes that help your body absorb water.

In Summary

Dehydration is now a regular chronic disorder that we have trained our bodies not to notice.

The long-term damage of dehydration is significant. Not only impacting weight loss, but it also impacts all aspects of bodily function.

There are a few subtle indicators you are dehydrated and you need to pay attention to notice them until you become more in tune with your body. These include:

• Your urine becoming dark yellow, thick, and odorous
• You are having energy swings
• You are struggling to sleep
• Your hair and nails become brittle
• You experience cramp

There are a few different techniques to address chronic dehydration and, surprisingly, flooding your body with water is not one of them. Based on the research we have undertaken we recommend Pete Egoscue technique of taking a shot glass, filling it up, and drinking 5 shots in quick succession. Wait 30 minutes and repeat. Do this morning and night for a week and you should start to feel thirsty again.

We hope this article helps provide clarity on why you don’t feel dehydrated when you’re not drinking enough water, what signals you should be looking for to identify dehydration, and how you can get your body back on track.

Leave a comment below if you enjoyed this article or have any questions you’d like answered!

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