H2-Oh Yeah!: The Importance of Staying Hydrated

Your body is about 60% water! Water is essential for almost everything your body does. It helps carry nutrients to your cells, gets rid of waste, keeps your joints moving smoothly, and even controls your body temperature (like your own personal air conditioner!). When you don't have enough water, it's called dehydration, and it can make you feel tired, dizzy, and unable to concentrate.Energy: Water helps your body create energy from food.Brain Power: A hydrated brain thinks faster and stays focused.Performance: Muscles need water to work their best during sports and activities.

It's 2 PM, and Maya is in math class. She feels tired, her head hurts a little, and she can't focus on the problems. She thinks back on her day and realizes she only had a little bit of milk at breakfast and nothing to drink at lunch.What's happening? Maya is likely experiencing mild dehydration. Her brain and body don't have enough water to function at 100%.The Fix: Maya gets permission to go to the water fountain. After drinking a good amount of water, she starts to feel her headache fade and can focus better on her schoolwork. This shows how quickly rehydrating can help!

Leo has a big soccer game after school. He knows that to play his best, he needs to be properly hydrated. Here's his game plan:Before the Game: Leo sips water throughout the school day. He drinks a full glass of water about an hour before the game starts.During the Game: He takes short sips from his water bottle during every break and at halftime. This replaces the water he's losing through sweat.After the Game: He doesn't stop drinking just because the game is over! He continues to drink water to help his muscles recover and rehydrate his body completely.Because Leo stayed hydrated, he had more energy and stamina than if he hadn't planned ahead.