Anxiety disorder is the most common mental disorder and it affects around 30% of adults at some point in their lives. They are easily treatable, but only a few victims ever seek treatment. Anxiety disorders can be caused by genetics or environmental factors.
Having anxiety disorder will make a person respond to certain things or situations with fear and dread. It can cause excessive nervousness and worry. Anxiety disorder is not often a chronic illness and is very common and, at the same time, treatable. However, anxiety is considered a chronic illness when the symptoms have been persistent for a longer period, often beginning in childhood.
The symptoms of anxiety disorder include feeling panic, sweating a lot, and rapid heartbeat. There are treatments like medications and cognitive behavioural therapy, that help manage anxiety.
Regular exercise, getting restful sleep, a healthy diet, being hydrated, mindfulness, reducing caffeine and alcohol intake, practicing relaxation techniques, and meditation are some of the ways to reduce anxiety. Staying hydrated and following a healthy diet are most important to manage stress and anxiety.
Drinking enough water can help with mood, headaches, digestion, energy, blood circulation, weight loss, brain function, skin health, body temperature, physical performance, heart health, and more. Staying hydrated is vital to lead a healthy and happy life. It plays a role in many of our body’s functions and well-being. Also, staying hydrated helps reduce anxiety and stress naturally.
Dehydration And Its Effects On The Body
Being dehydrated can cause plenty of health complications. Dehydration can cause symptoms like;
- Feeling thirsty
- Lightheadedness
- Tiredness
- Dry mouth
- Less urine passing
- Dark-colored urine
- Exhaustion
- Heat cramps
- Sunken eyes
- Dry skin and lips
- Constipation
- Lack of sweating
- Low blood pressure
Since water plays a major role in our lives and maintaining our overall health and wellness, not drinking enough water can cause adverse effects on the body. Dehydration can cause severe damage to internal organs like the brain, kidneys, and liver.
Dehydration can result in mild, moderate, and severe conditions and even end up causing life-threatening emergencies. If we don’t keep ourselves hydrated, it can even lead to chronic health problems like kidney failure, swelling of the brain, shock, coma, and even death.
The Link Between Dehydration And Anxiety
There is a direct link between dehydration and anxiety, as being dehydrated can make us anxious, tired, and dizzy. Being dehydrated stresses the body, increases the heartbeat, and lowers blood pressure. Since being dizzy and lightheaded are also the symptoms of anxiety, the body will start feeling anxious and have mood swings.
It may cause brain fog, which frequently results in panic attacks. So, drinking water will help relax the body and reduce stress. Many studies have linked dehydration and anxiety, as mental health is driven by brain activity, and not drinking enough water can cause brain functions to slow down. Thus, leading to anxiety disorder and stress.
Can Proper Hydration Help Manage Anxiety?
One of the simplest and easiest ways to manage anxiety may be being hydrated. Many studies show the connection between dehydration and anxiety. So, it is vital to drink enough water to prevent anxiety disorder and other health complications.
Keeping the body hydrated is an important step in managing anxiety, as it reduces the negative psychological and physiological impact of stress. Since 75% of brain tissue is made up of water, dehydration causes the brain’s function to slow down, leading to anxiety and stress. Drinking enough water helps improve brain and body function while helping body and mind relax.
According to the Mayo Clinic, even mild dehydration affects the mood. Since water is said to have natural calming properties, it is one of the fastest and easiest ways to ease anxiety.
Even though drinking water does not cure anxiety magically, it can relax the body and keep it healthy. Being dehydrated can make one feel moody, less calm, and depressed. So, drinking enough water daily can help nourish the body, keep it active, and reduce stress.
Staying hydrated for overall well-being:
Drinking enough water relaxes the body and promotes overall well-being. Being hydrated throughout the day provides various health benefits as the body counts on water to function efficiently. Staying hydrated provides benefits, such as;
- Regulating body temperature
- Maintaining healthy blood pressure
- Flushing out body waste
- Improving digestion
- Converting food and fuel into energy
- Keeping tissues moistened
- Taking away hunger
- Transporting oxygen-rich blood and nutrients
- Balancing electrolytes
- Keeping joints and cartilages lubricated and soft.
- Preventing dehydration
- Increasing energy
- Aiding in weight loss
- Helping form saliva and mucus
- Boosting skin health
We shouldn’t stay hydrated because of the benefits it offers, but because it is vital for overall health and survival. Remember that each cell, tissue, and organ in our body depends on water to work properly.
We should drink enough water throughout the day to prevent dehydration and maintain bodily functions. It also helps improve sleep quality, mood, and cognitive functions. Since water is an inevitable part of our health, ensure you drink enough water every day.
Conclusion
Proper hydration is essential for overall health, wellness, and survival. Staying hydrated helps regulate body temperature, maintain healthy blood pressure, improve energy levels, boost skin health, aid in weight loss, convert food into energy, balance electrolytes, transport oxygen-rich blood and nutrients, and more. If we don’t keep the body hydrated, it can result in mild issues and serious health complications.
Many studies prove that dehydration and anxiety are linked together. Being dehydrated can make us anxious, tired, and dizzy which are also the symptoms of anxiety. Being dehydrated can make us anxious and have mood swings. It may also cause brain fog, which frequently results in panic attacks. So, drinking water will help relax the body and manage anxiety.
Since not drinking enough water can cause brain functions to slow down, this may lead to anxiety disorder and stress. Ensure you drink enough water and follow a healthy diet to prevent health conditions and improve overall health and wellness.
FAQs
Dehydration can sometimes cause anxiety, fatigue, and depression. So if you’re feeling anxious, try drinking water, as it will promote a feeling of relaxation.
Fatigue, dry skin, dry mouth, dizziness, headache, loss of appetite, dark yellow urine, confusion, fast heart rate, and low blood pressure.
Drinking enough water helps relax the body and can thus reduce anxiety. Staying hydrated helps prevent depression, anxiety, and fatigue.
Anxiety disorder is common and is treatable. It is not often a chronic disease, but if the symptoms prevail for a long time, it is considered a chronic disease.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), symptoms of anxiety include having trouble concentrating, difficulty in making decisions, feeling restless or tense, disturbed sleep, having a sense of impending danger or panic, and feeling constant nervousness.