We’ve all heard the rule about drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day. But is that really healthy for everyone? Over the years, health professionals have come to realize that how much water a person drinks daily depends on a variety of circumstances. Here are a few to consider:
Where you live:
Some places have more brutal summers than others. If you live in a place that has high heat or humidity during the warmer months, you most likely need to drink more water. Even more so if you live in a place that is hot, humid or dry year-round. On the other hand, you also need more water if you live at a high altitude like on a mountain, even though it is usually cooler.
How you live:
If you are an outdoorsy person who spends a lot of time in the sun, or an active person who regularly exercises, you will need to drink more water to put back in what you are sweating out. This also goes for those who work strenuous jobs, walk a lot to commute, or stand on their feet for long periods of time.
What you eat:
You’ll always need to drink more water if you’re eating food that is high in sugar or salt and not enough hydrating foods like fresh fruit and vegetables. Drinking lots of caffeine can also easily dehydrate you by making you go to the bathroom more.
Your health:
Certain medications can dehydrate you very fast and recommend you drink more water. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, you’ll definitely need to drink more water since your body is trying to keep more than one person hydrated!
If you’re still not sure exactly how much water you should drink daily, just try to drink a little bit at a time throughout the day. Pay attention to your body’s cues and how it responds. The important thing is to make sure that you are comfortable and getting the hydration needed!