Undoubtedly water is essential to your health. It takes up to 75% of your body weight; water plays a crucial role in regulating everything from brain function to physical performance to digestion- and much more. 
Still, while it’s clear that drinking enough water is essential to health, you may wonder whether timing matters.
- After waking up
Drinking one glass of water after waking up to help activate your internal organs. The water will help to remove toxins from the body before your first meal for the day. This detoxing tells your body that it’s time to get going. Like a gently flowing stream paving its way through rocks and debris, your circulatory system needs fluid to remove stubborn free radicals and residue from burned calories used during night’s metabolism.
- Before a meal
Consuming water before eating helps you feel fuller; that means you’ll be less likely to over-eat. When one gets hydrated, the stomach is ready for food; water wakes up the taste buds and moisturizes the stomach lining so brittle or acidic foods would not be uncomfortable. Having a glass of water dampen the mouth and clears out leftovers from earlier food, drinks, or smoking in anticipation of coming meal or snack.
Also, drink one glass of water half an hour before a meal to help digestion. Avoid drinking just before or soon after a meal as the water will dilute the digestive juices. Drink water only an hour after the meal to allow the body to absorb nutrients.
- Drink water when you’re hungry
If you’re hungry meals between meals, pour yourself a tall glass of fresh drinking water first to check if you are dehydrated or hungry. Sometimes people think they are hungry when they are just thirsty. This practice will limit the daily calorie intake.
- Drink water before-during-after workout
Depending on environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and body’s fluid levels, one may need some glasses of water to prevent dehydration during and after the workout. Hydrating the body is essential to guard against heat stroke in warm weather and frostbite in cold temperatures. The body’s circulatory system plays a protective role in both extremes of heat and needs water to function correctly.
Doing vigorous exercise, you may need to drink a lot of water to replace fluids lost through sweat and urination. The amount you will need to rehydrate yourself depends on your weight, health, and whether you exercised in hot or humid conditions- especially for long periods- among other factors. Be sure not to gulp too much water down, or you could bring on stomach cramps.
- Drink water when you are exposed to germs
If you are around sick people in the hospital or at work and school, try to drink a little extra water than usual to help wash away germs and viruses that your body may have caught. A well-hydrated body encourages bacterial and viral invaders to move along and excrete from the body, so they don’t settle in and multiply in your system.
- Drink more water when you are ill
If one gets sick, it is advised to increase fluid intake, including water. Hydrating when sick helps remove unwanted bacteria and germs from the body, thus cleansing the body from inside. Drinking eight glasses of water daily (8 ounces per glass) is still a good goal for most people, however other fluids like tea juice and soup count toward total intake.
- Drink water when if you feel tired
If you feel the need for a nap but cannot take one, have a glass or two of water instead. Did you know that fatigue is often due to dehydration? As a result of its ability to move quickly through the body, water can reach your brain and give it a signal for a little quick boost.
- Before bath
Drinking one glass of water before taking a shower to help lower your blood pressure.
- Before sleep
Drinking one glass of water an hour before bedtime helps to replenish any fluid loss during
Also know: What is Mindful Eating and 12 Expert Strategies for practicing Mindful Eating in your Daily Life.
