Monday Morning Health and Fitness Tip: Drink More Water!

Everyone knows that drinking water is good for you. Water prevents dehydration, which can drain your energy and make you feel tired. But the act of drinking water has benefits as well.

If, like many, you work at a desk or in front of a computer, keep a water bottle next to you and drink from it frequently. Think of the many things your body does to take that sip of water.

First, you turn your head to the side preventing the muscle stiffness in your neck that often comes with staring into a computer screen. Try to put the water bottle first on the left side of you and then on the right side to make sure you’re moving in both directions.

Next, you refocus your eyes away from the computer. This helps you avoid the eyestrain that goes along with a long workday.  Then you reach out with your arm to pick up the water bottle. This requires the use of many upper body muscles and, again, helps prevent muscle stiffness.

After that you’ll have to tilt your head back to take the drink of water, yet another neck exercise. And finally, if you drink enough water, you’ll be getting up and out of your chair frequently to walk to the restroom.

So drink more water and enjoy the benefits that go beyond just having more water in your body and better hydration.

Editor’s note: Kent Pegg is a certified personal trainer and the owner of the Los Alamos Fitness Center. Direct questions about the information or exercises in this column to him at 505.662.5232.