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Do you ever forget to breathe? Because, if we did, we might be six feet under? So how come we forget to drink water? There are many people who do forget to drink water, amazing? Just like how oxygen is vital for surviving, simply put, water plays an enormous part in our lives. There must have been many times during the day when we feel tired, low, exhausted or need that burst of energy in our body, and we reach out for food to satisfy our cravings, wherein we might actually be needing water to quench our thirst and get our energy levels up. What is Water Therapy? Water therapy is an alternate therapy that is fast gaining popularity, especially in the west. This is a purely natural therapy that utilizes water both internally and externally to bring therapeutic effects to the body. This therapy is excellent for the body, especially since water is a very important part of the body, and 60% of our body weight comes from water. Water therapy is not only utilized for treatment but also for rehabilitation after you have suffered from a disease, and for improving overall well-being. Since the human body contains a large percentage of water, it is not surprising that water has such excellent effects on the body. In fact, water can heal both from the inside was well as the outside of the body.

Physical therapy using water is gaining popularity rather quickly. There are a lot of chronic illnesses that can be treated using this therapy. A lot of doctors recommend water therapy treatment for joint related pains that have not responded well to conventional medicine. Patients, who suffer from diabetes, chronic fatigue, debilitating pain, and depression, are recommended to have this treatment. Some of the methods of water therapy treatment include water walking exercises, stretching inside water, swimming and swimming pool games, and anti-aging exercises within water. There are multiple benefits of such sessions. For most people, the aquatic environment is very enjoyable. Since these activities are almost always performed in groups, such pool games and water exercises can be quite social, and finally, there are therapeutic benefits of all such activities. Since the water is buoyant, it lessens the stress that exercising causes on the joints. The fluidity of the water helps you burn more calories while experiencing less fatigue. You end up exercising more, therefore lubricating your joints well, and the resistance of water helps you build and tone muscles. For people who have been experiencing muscular atrophy, these exercises can be really helpful.

Benefits of water therapy. Some of the conditions that can be treated using water fitness programs include changing gait, increasing tone and strength of muscles, relief from muscle spasms and pain, increase of joint range, retraining for any kind of functional work, increasing mobility for people who have become completely immobile, enhancement of balance, improvement of movement patterns, recovery from any kind of trauma, treating sports injuries, and weight loss. Water therapy for weight loss has gained a lot of popularity in the recent past. Warm water therapy is ideal for men and women who have swollen and painful joints as warm water improves range of motion and circulation. Drinking water every morning in an empty stomach helps to clear the system of toxins and aid in a good bowel movement. Water therapy is considered a natural cure for arthritis. Though surgery is the method that is resorted to most often, in case of painful joints, especially knees, water therapy is considered to be efficient enough help you avoid knee replacement surgeries. The hydraulic force helps in bringing relief from the most painful of conditions.

Warm water therapy for fibromyalgia is considered to be an ideal treatment for patients suffering from this debilitating disease. Warm water helps dilate the blood vessels to improve circulation and bring about pain relief. Patients, who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, can be benefited from this the most, but people with fibromyalgia experience pain relief as well. People with asthma also benefit greatly with water therapy. Water therapy reduces constriction in the bronchioles and also enhances the endurance of the entire respiratory system. You can also improve lung capacity and clear mucus from your respiratory system with the help of the therapy. There is a detox water therapy diet and water therapy for skin which may be beneficial as well. Thus hot and cold water could be used as your water therapy depending on the kind of condition to be treated.

Health Benefits of Drinking Water: Your Daily Intake

Staying properly hydrated is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to stay in good health. The more water we drink, the healthier we become. Water increases the quality and the length of our lives. By developing good hydration habits our body functions well. As we age, we become less sensitive to loss of water in our body, which leads to body wrinkles. Drinking plenty of water is good idea to keep body lines, wrinkles, dehydration, etc at bay. Studies say that we should aim for oz of water per pound of body weight. We lose water through sweat, urine or bowel movements. It is preferable to sip water throughout the day rather than to gulp it because it will give your body more time to absorb it. Drinking at least 8 - 10 glasses of water a day is beneficial to us - for our skin, for our weight, for general good health.

• It improves your energy, tones muscles you mental and physical performance and helps in weight loss.
• It flushes out wastes, toxins, transports nutrients and regulates body temperature and allows for proper digestion.
• Keeps skin healthy and glowing, as the skin feels moist with increase in energy levels.
• It also alleviates migraine headaches, high blood cholesterol, rheumatoid arthritis pain, asthma allergies, and high blood pressure. By hydrating your body you can minimize your back pain.
• Increased water consumption often helps to regulate our appetite because we often mistake our thirst for hunger and eat food when in fact our body is craving for fluid.

No Alternatives for Water

There is no substitute for this wonderful drink. Most people think that by consuming other liquids, they have had their share of water. But it is not so, sodas, beverages, coffee, tea, alcoholic drinks, etc. can NOT be substitutes for water in any way. If you consume too much of beverages, coffee, etc. you rob your body of important vitamins, minerals, stimulate your pancreas, increase insulin level and takes the body out of its natural fat burning state.

Water and Weight

If you're trying to lose weight, water intake is important, as its good for digestion and prevents overeating. If you are not getting plenty of water, you will eat more to satisfy your body's craving for water. Water mobilizes and reduces the amount of fat deposit. A natural appetite suppressant, developing a good water drinking habit can be a long-term aid in achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.

Need for Water

Factors that influence water needs are exercises, environment, illness or health conditions and pregnancy or breastfeeding. Water is especially important for pregnant women and nursing mothers. For athletes and workout fanatics, drinking water reduces cardiovascular stress and improves performance. In addition, since water reduces body temperature, it makes the whole exercise process safer and more effective. Water is also an important "healing tool" for people with a history of kidney stones. Drinking water is also valuable in preventing urinary tract infections in both men and for women, flushing impurities out of the system. Drinking large amount of water eases the digestion process of solid foods. Adequate intake of water gives muscles a better contraction and tone. Prevents skin sagging, and finally maintains clear, healthy skin.

Water Intake

An easy way is to start the day with the intake of a fresh cup or two of water. These first glasses are so critical because you are reversing any mild dehydration that may have occurred overnight, especially if you cut off your water consumption a couple of hours before bedtime in order to reduce nighttime trips to the bathroom.

• If you are in the habit of showering and dressing before you go to the kitchen in the morning, you could leave a bottle of water to drink while getting ready.
• It is best to drink water on an empty stomach in order to avoid unnecessary dilution of digestive juices, have a glass or two of water, a half hour before and after meals.
• Try to get into the habit of bringing a water bottle with you when you go out, whether to shop, walk or to an activity.

When it is something as simple and inexpensive as drinking water, make the most of it ? don?t wait till you are thirsty. Drink water constantly throughout the day.