Simple daily habits can have a big impact on our physical and mental health. Taking things step by step – rather than trying to make huge changes to our daily habits – is widely believed to be the secret to maintaining good habits, so if things feel overwhelming today, start small, like drinking water first thing when you wake up.
Why is it important to drink water after waking up?
Dr. Emily Leeming, author of Genius Gut, outlines the benefits of drinking 500 ml (or two glasses) of water every morning in her Substack, Second Brain. Referring to a study in which researchers analyzed mood, energy, and memory after participants drank water in the morning, Dr. Lee Ming emphasizes that adding drinking water or other fluids to your morning routine is a free and easy way to improve your health in many ways.
The study, published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health in 2020, aimed to investigate the effects of water supplementation on cognitive performance and mood by dehydrating participants (young adults) for 12 hours overnight. After waking up at 8 a.m., participants were given varying amounts of water to drink and were then tested.
Research results show that drinking 200 ml of water (one cup) is enough to reduce thirst, anger, fatigue and bad mood. Drinking two drinks can also help improve your working memory. “This is how you make decisions, solve problems and stay focused,” says Dr. Leeming. “People who don’t drink water at all will be thirsty, tired and irritable.”
Jianfen Zhang, one of the study’s authors, said that since water is “an essential element of the human body, accounting for 60 to 70 percent of body weight, it is vital for every system and metabolic activity.” Ensuring adequate hydration after eight hours of sleep essentially provides our cells with what they need to work efficiently.
Tips on How to Hydrate First
“I recommend keeping a pitcher and a glass of water next to your bed, or making sure you drink water before and after brushing your teeth,” says Dr. Leeming.
