Stay current on water benefits
There’s something really special about our home planet. Earth is the only known planet in the solar system that is naturally capable of sustaining life. And there’s a key miracle that makes it all possible.
No, I’m not referring to any deity. Though whoever dreamt up all the beauty in this place is an absolute genius (why wouldn’t we want to protect it?). The miracle I’m talking about is a simple chemical substance composed of hydrogen and oxygen — it’s water.
Over 70 per cent of the earth’s surface is made up of water, the majority of which is the ocean. In fact, all life on earth sprang from the sea. About 360 million years ago, animals gradually moved out of salt water and on to dry land. They grew limbs in the place of fins and lungs instead of gills. At least this is the dominant theory about where land-dwelling animals (including us) came from.
As humans, we are born in water. Just like the planet, most of our body (around 60 per cent for the average adult) is composed of water. Some organs hold more water than others. The brain, kidneys, lungs and heart contain around 80 per cent of water. And our blood is made up of about 50 per cent. There’s even water in our bones and teeth.
Good health depends on it, yet how often do we actually consider the vital role clean water plays in our lives?
Water helps to regulate body temperature and lubricates our muscles, joints and tissues. It supports the elimination of waste from our system, aids digestion and helps with the absorption of nutrients. Water cleanses the skin and can even help with weight loss (that’s a bonus!). Maintaining adequate hydration is also critical for improving mood and cognitive function, increasing energy and reducing fatigue.
But most of us aren’t drinking enough. Recent studies have found that 80 per cent of Australians are chronically dehydrated. And few people recognise the symptoms — the most common being lethargy and headaches.
However, just upping your water intake isn’t the only answer. First, we need to ensure we’re avoiding dehydration, and actually absorbing the water we drink. Dehydration decreases blood flow and reduces the amount of oxygen moving through the body. It can cause delirium and, in severe cases, death.
Coffee, tea and energy drinks have a diuretic (dehydrating) effect. They eliminate water and sodium from the body. So, before grabbing your morning caffeine fix it’s a good idea to start the day with a glass or two of filtered water.
We obviously cannot live without water. However, our relationship with it transcends just a physical dependence. We have developed a deep social, cultural and even spiritual bond with it. Across cultures, water is used in holy ceremonies and rituals as a form of purification. It represents fertility, rebirth and life.
Spending time around water has great healing benefits, too. It’s good for the mind and has a soothing effect on the nervous system.
If you take a contemplative approach (as I regularly do), stepping into the ocean can be more than just a leisurely pursuit. Next time you immerse yourself in the sea (or even the bath), take a moment to reflect on our primal beginnings.
It’s in the depths of the sea that all life arose. It’s through the gift of water that our life is sustained. And when we step into the ocean, all of the lands on earth join up under our feet. It’s a powerful reminder that we are all connected and part of a greater whole.
This article was first published in The West Australian in Renée Gardiner’s weekly column in Agenda, 15 May 2021.