Hydration keeps you calm , here is how!

Student corner: 

Contributed by

Ms Aaliya Masoodi

Our remembrance, stability and capability to focus can suffer when we’re dehydrated. But recent research shows that our mental health, too, depends on sufficient hydration levels.

Water has been proved to have natural calming properties. Drinking sufficient water is a vital step in organizing your anxiety. Even if you’re not encountering anxiety, drinking sufficient water can create impressions of relief.

As we are aware panic attacks are common results of increased anxiety caused by dehydration. Panic attacks naturally have physical triggers, and one of those triggers is dehydration. When dehydration occurs, if you’re prone to panic attacks, you can effortlessly begin to panic, even to the point of feeling like you’re dying.

When dehydrated, you expose yourself to many of the symptoms that trigger panic attacks, such as:

• Increased heart rate.
• Headaches
• Muscle exhaustion and craving.
• Feeling pale.
• Changes in your skin e.g;.dryness or redness.
• Constipation
• Sleeplessness
• Extreme mood swings.

According to Healthline, 2018 study of over 3,000 adults, those who drank more water had a lower risk of anxiety and depression than those who drank less water.

Though the connection between dehydration and depression was stronger, researchers found that anxiety was higher in those who didn’t drink enough water and their moods were less optimistic than in the people who  drink enough.

Our adrenal glands also produce aldosterone, a hormone that regulates fluids and electrolyte levels in your body. A decrease in the production of aldosterone leads to dehydration. Drinking enough water can help alleviate depression symptoms.

What Happens To The Brain During Dehydration?

Dehydration could affect the function of the brain. When the body becomes dehydrated, this affects the brain by slowing circulation which alters how we think. The reduced blood flow means that even the brain receives less oxygen to function properly. Your cognitive function becomes impaired if the dehydration is allowed to continue. This could lead to delirium. When dehydration becomes so severe, it is possible to cause coma and even death in extreme cases. The human body is more than 75% water while the brain is about 75% water. A 5% drop in body fluids could lead to dehydration and associated problems.

How much water is to be consumed on daily basis?

According to Vitality Magazine, they had mentioned The European Food Safety Authority recommends 1.6 litres a day. So, challenge yourself throughout the day to finish this task. Keep alarms or set reminders until it turns into the motivation of turning it into the habit.

This fact is to be kept in mind that maintaining hydration may not halt the panic attacks, they may become less regular, or at least some of the triggers may be reduced.

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