The One Essential Element You Need to Age Well

By Samira Zia Rehman

There’s no denying the powerful benefits of water. The wonders it can do for your overall health and well-being have been well studied and demonstrated—water is essential for survival, which is why it’s so important for aging well. Water is crucial as we age because it does a lot more than quench thirst.

Water is essential to aging well because your body relies on adequate intake of H2O to sustain itself. When your body is dehydrated, so is your skin—while dryness is a lack of natural oils, dehydrated skin is the loss of moisture. Dehydrated skin impedes aging well because it starts to look rough and dull, making it more susceptible to premature effects of aging, like wrinkles and dryness. Drinking plenty of water is necessary for aging well and anti-aging skin care because it keeps skin plump, hydrated, and radiant.

Water is also a big component of aging well because it helps to flush our bodies of damaging toxins that can cause everything from acne and yellow nails, to split ends and bad breath. Just like you cleanse your face, water cleanses your organs. It is an organic purifier and healer, expelling toxins through urination and bowel movements. The healthier you are on the inside, the better you will look on the outside—this is the formula for aging well.

A lack of water doesn’t only show on your face, it also affects your bodily functions. As you get older, your joints can stiffen and you may experience increasing muscle and joint pain. Water not only contributes to aging well by easing these aches, but it also aids in the prevention of arthritis by lubricating the joints and hydrating the tissue. A significant amount of cartilage in healthy joints is made up of water, so dehydration often—and unknowingly—leads to more pain. Part of aging well is maintaining your independent mobile functions, and water has a big role to play in that.

Water is responsible for maintaining the fluidity of all bodily functions, helping to ensure optimal health and vitality, and guaranteeing that your body is aging well. Here are some other ways that water affects your body and contributes towards aging well:

• Painful migraines can interfere with quality of life, but a lot of times, migraines are caused by dehydration
• A sufficient intake of H2O also contributes to aging well by boosting your immune system, making it stronger and better able to fight off toxins and viruses. If your defenses are low, you’re more likely to get sick, making you feel weak and unmotivated.
• Drinking lots of water drastically reduces your chances of developing kidney stones. Water helps the kidneys filter out other unhealthy liquids, like coffee, soda, and alcohol. That’s why they say to drink lots of water to prevent a hangover.
• If you’re feeling fatigued, it has been shown that drinking a glass of water can raise your alertness and improve your mood.
• Exercise and anti-aging fitness play an essential role in aging well. When we sweat, our body is expelling toxins, but we also lose water. This water needs to be replenished. You may also notice a change in eating habits or even increased weight loss just by ensuring that you’re getting your required amount of water daily. Water helps to increase your metabolic rate and make you feel fuller, which deters overeating.

The “eight glasses of water a day” theory has yet to be sufficiently proven, but the incorporation of ample water intake does make an enormous difference in aging well and your quality of health. So what can you do to make sure you’re getting the full benefits of water? Avoid very cold water, as it can shock your system and your body will take longer to absorb it. Cut out sodas and other caffeinated drinks, and replace them with water. Also steer clear of sugary sachets of water crystals. Instead, add a wedge of citrus fruit like lemon or orange for a subtle hint of flavor and added cleansing benefits.

Samira Zia Rehman is a beauty advisor and writer who has been working the Toronto circuit for almost 10 years. She is certified by the Canadian Cosmetic Careers Association, and since 2007, she has been working as a Cosmetician and skin care specialist at one of Canada’s leading drugstores. Her experience has allowed her to witness, first-hand, a wide array of cosmetic and aesthetic issues that many aging women struggle with. Through her experience, she’s been able to successfully help treat and advise her loyal client base, many of whom are women between the ages of 30 and 65. Samira has built a solid reputation in the beauty industry through her breadth of knowledge and honest recommendations.
This article originally appeared on Agein.com.