Drinking enough water is one of the most important aspects of staying healthy. With all the new diets and exercise regimes, it’s easy to forget the basics. Failure to drink enough water can lead to fatigue, headaches, nausea, constipation, and other health problems. Adequate hydration has many benefits that go far beyond satisfying thirst. Water keeps your organs functioning properly. Water also helps keep your skin moisturized and glowing, reduces stress and tension, and helps keep cholesterol at healthy levels. The daily recommended water intake is between half an ounce and an ounce daily for each pound of body weight. Here are some ways you can discover if you are drinking enough water:

1. Urine color

Water is essential for removing toxins from your body. To keep toxins from building up in your body, you need to drink enough water each day. One way to tell how well you are drinking enough water is by observing the color of your urine. If your urine is light yellow or lemonade colored, then you are probably drinking an adequate amount of water. On the other hand, if the color of your urine is deep yellow or orange, it may be a sign that you need to drink more water.

2. Skin health

Skin health is one of the most important aspects of staying healthy. If you are not drinking enough water, you are not giving your skin all the moisture it needs. Dehydrated skin can lead to chapped or cracked lips, dry hair, and flaky skin. It also reduces your skin’s elasticity which causes wrinkles to appear prematurely. Alternately, not properly hydrating can lead to acne and blemishes if your skin is overly oily.

3. Energy levels

You may feel tired and lethargic when you don’t drink enough water. Studies show that even mild dehydration can impair brain function, making concentration difficult, and impacting energy levels and mood. While you sleep at night, your body is repairing and regenerating itself. Dehydration may prevent this process from occurring correctly, resulting in fatigue during the day. If you are not drinking enough water, it is important to start drinking more so your body can hydrate and stay energized. If you’re not a fan of still water, herbal teas, or sparkling water from bands like Bubly, La Croix, Perrier, and San Pellegrino are among the best water brands to help you stay hydrated.

4. Headaches

If you are experiencing frequent headaches or migraines, lack of enough water may be the cause. When you don’t drink enough water, your body can become dehydrated, which causes the blood vessels in your head to narrow and constrict. This leads to swelling and inflammation, which causes migraines. Therefore, drinking plenty of water each day is essential to keep your body hydrated and reduce migraines.

5. Dry mouth

A dry mouth is another sign that you may need more water. Low hydration can lead to the breakdown of crucial nutrients and minerals that help the body function properly. This leads to a dry mouth, which causes you to have a sticky sensation in your mouth because your salivary glands are not functioning at their best.

To stay healthy, it is essential to drink enough water each day. If you consume less than the recommended amount of water daily, it is best to start drinking more water to stay properly hydrated. By closely monitoring your health, you can determine whether you drink enough water.