Do you reach for a cup of coffee or soda in the afternoon? Many experience that afternoon slump around 4 pm. Why does that happen?

I saw my mom suffering from arthritic pain since she was in her 50s and later from asthma in her late 60s. I didn’t want to suffer like her because I saw how debilitating it was. So I learned basic yoga and started walking regularly. But was that enough?

What happens when we are dehydrated?

In my research I found that pain and asthma are caused by inflammation. And I was totally surprised to learn that arthritis and asthma are chronic dehydration (“Your Body’s Many Cries for Water – you are not sick; you are thirsty” by Dr. F. Batmanghelidj. See link below*).

And I did notice that my mom drank very little water, 10 – 15 oz. in a day! She started her day with strong black tea with milk and sugar. And the little water she drank was always during her meals. And now when I think of it she was probably thirsty when she reached for another cup of caffeinated tea in the afternoon to get rid of her afternoon slump!

Hydrate first thing in the morning!

I experimented and found out that I feel my best when I drink water first thing in the morning. The more I hydrate myself in the morning the better I feel throughout the day. I drink at least 2 of 8-oz glass of water (and feel even better when I drink 3-4 glasses). I add something like fresh lemon juice or apple cider vinegar. I drink 3-4 glasses of water in between meals, 15 minutes before or an hour after meals.

When I keep myself hydrated I don’t get that afternoon slump either! Next time when you experience afternoon slump and thinking about coffee or some sugary energy drink or soda may be try drinking some water instead or take a 10-minute stroll!

How much water do we need?

We need to drink half of our body weight in ounces of water, for example if someone weighs 150 pounds, they need to drink 75 ounces of water.

Infused water makes healthy summer hydration drink

Come summer and you get many more fun ways to hydrate. It’s easy to make infused water with some fresh fruits, lemon/lime and herbs. You can use just fruits or just lime/lemon or just herbs – whatever you have on hand. Leave it on the counter for 2 hours or overnight in fridge – it will make a healthy summer hydration drink! I have fresh mint growing in my garden. Sometimes I use just mint because it has cooling effect. Here are some examples…

Watermelon, lemon/lime and mint leaves in water

How about some fresh cucumber, lemon/lime and mint

Ruby red grape fruit and fresh mint

Orange slices and mint

Strawberries and mint!!!

Let’s make some delicious & refreshing

Mint Lemonade

Time: 15-20 minutes         Yield: 64 oz or 8 cups

1/4 cup (packed) fresh mint leaves (Boil in 1 cup of water for 2-3 min. Turn off heat and let it steep and cool down, about 10-15 minutes. Strain. discard the leaves. It will yield in 1 cup mint tea.)

6-7 oz freshly squeezed lime and lemon (about 3 limes and 4-5 lemons)

1 cup organic raw sugar (or substitute with appropriate amount of raw honey or stevia)

48 oz or 6 cups water

½ tsp sea salt

1/4 cup fresh mint for garnish (optional)

Stir them all together and enjoy over ice.

What are your favorite ways of making infused water? Please share in comment section below.

* “Your Body’s Many Cries for Water – you are not sick; you are thirsty” by Dr. F. Batmanghelidj.