In crisis mode? This is easy and a must.

I have several friends right now who are in places in their lives where the hits just keep coming… loss, diagnoses, car accidents, unexpected moves… 

We’ve all been there, I think. You know those times where you feel like it’s just one thing after the next after the next until you’re in full on crisis mode and your goal is simple: survive.

I know you know what I’m talking about. And I hope this isn’t the case, but you might be in that place right now. And even if you aren’t, I’m going to give you the same advice I gave those friends:

Drink water.

When we lost my father-in-law unexpectedly, my husband and I went straight from saying goodbye in the ICU to the ER… for dehydration. 

On a daily basis you need half your body weight in ounces of water. So if you weigh 150lbs, you need 75 ounces of water every single day. Your hydration level effects your ability to think clearly, your energy levels, and so much more. When you’re already stressed, the last thing you need is to also be dehydrated. 

And not to get too personal, but if you’re having stomach issues or crying a lot… that’s going to be dehydrating as well.

If you struggle to drink water, I’ve got a couple of strategies for you to try:

Front load your morning.

Drink 8 ounces as soon as you wake up and another 16 ounces on the way to work. Try to hit half your daily quota by 10am.

Track your water consumption.

If you’re thinking, “I probably get the amount I need every day,” why not track it for a day or two just to make sure? And if you know you’re not getting the right amount, you’re going to have to track it until you know what it feels like to be properly hydrated and you have a good routine.

Buy a water bottle.

Pick one that holds at least 16 ounces. Who wants to go to the sink 10x/day to fill up an 8 ounce glass? Not me. And if you don’t want to have to track your consumption, buy one of those giant water jugs that holds the amount of ounces you need and just fill it up once day.

Never be without your water.

Running to the store? Put your water bottle in the car. Going to sit in a meeting? Take your water. Starting a zoom call? Refill your glass before it starts.

Don’t like taste of water?

Put some frozen fruit, cucumber slices, or lemon juice in it. (Please don’t use your dislike of water as an excuse to add sugar or weird chemicals to it…) 

Even if your life is ticking along great, if you want to have MORE ENERGY and be better able to FOCUS while you’re doing you’re important work and becoming Future You, drink some dang water!

I recorded a podcast episode with tips for focusing during a crisis. I feel like this is one of the more important lessons I can teach, having now been through a few really terrible moments and being one of the key people who had to take care of new, unexpected priorities.  Even if you’re not in crisis, listen to it so Future You has some strategies if the time comes.

THIS WEEK’S CHALLENGE

Drink half your body weight in ounces of water.

Simple. Effective. Not always easy.

You’ve got this!

Love,

Mel

Your 5-Star Life Coach ⭐️