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The Hydration Challenge - The Importance of H20 

Most students are very tuned into their fitness these days and besides the heavy drinking sessions many young people are now in the beneficial habit of offsetting this with a workout routine and diet plan. Good hydration also plays a key role in this and will help you remain healthy, focused and energised. 

Good hydration will will ultimately raise your energy levels and this is obviously beneficial to aid your demanding schedule of balancing work, study, socialising and exercise.

I like to drink a glass of water first thing in the morning before breakfast as it speeds up my metabolism and will wake you up better than coffee! (Although it won't have that lovely hazelnut, sugary vanilla taste)  Water will increase your attention span and ability to focus.

I think the numbers are something like, a 2% decrease in hydration can equate to a 20% decrease in concentration! So a water bottle during lectures and study sessions is an easy way to aid concentration and thus get you those all important results.  

Water will naturally improve performance, whether that is in the gym, at the game or in the club. Regular intake of water will give you that sugar free energy you need to keep playing, partying and exercising. In addition water will also aid your circulation and will reduce false hunger pains and headaches. 

The Natural Hydration Council recommends adult males should consume 2.5ltrs daily compared to females who should drink slightly less at 2ltrs. This would of course increase depending on your activity levels.

So here is my challenge. Building up to getting those all important litres, try and remove fizzy drink from your diet and replace with water. This will not only make you healthier but save you money.  Over the next six weeks try and build up your H20 intake as follows: 

• Week 1: Drink 3 glasses a day
• Week 2: Drink 4 glasses a day
• Week 3: Drink 5 glasses a day
• Week 4: Drink 6 glasses a day
• Week 5: Drink 7 glasses a day
• Week 6: Drink 8 glasses a day

(Glasses of a medium size)

That should gradually bring you up to recommended levels and improve your overall wellbeing.

For more information on the importance of H20 you can visit the Natural Hydration Council. On one final note, paying attention to the colour of your urine is the best way to determine if you are dehydrated.

Learn to look after your body at university and get into habits that will last a lifetime.

Good luck. 

A Bit About Our Contributor:
Robert James Woodhead - Lecturer of Essential & Core Skills at Edinburgh College

A passionate educator within the FE sector. Student focused and driven by innovation, quality and challenge. Sports background with an ability to adapt, develop and deliver courses across a range of subject areas.