Your plants aren’t the only ones that need watering.

If I had a dollar for every time someone told me to drink more water—or every time I read a health column saying the ever-so-original “You should drink 1–2 litres a day”—I’d be rolling in it by now.

And yet, almost 95% of my clients still don’t drink enough water. When I tell them they’re dehydrated and need to up their intake, their faces go through that universal “ugh, do I really have to?” expression.

Is water really that important? Oh, absolutely.

In my mind-body sessions, hydration is one of the first things I check. Beyond the biochemistry, a dehydrated body simply cannot hold or maintain any corrections we make during a session.

Most of the dehydration I see is chronic. Symptoms can include fatigue, headaches, brain fog, inability to concentrate, and that overwhelming tiredness that makes you want to nap standing up.

Often, people can’t absorb the water they drink because their bodies have adapted to a “low-water lifestyle.” Think of it like a drought management system: after years of surviving on a trickle, suddenly pouring in litres can feel like a flood—and much of that water just goes straight down the toilet instead of actually hydrating you.

This is where a “catalyst” can help. Things like apple juice, aloe vera, lemonade, and—yes, believe it or not—Coca-Cola can kick your cells into gear for better absorption. I muscle test my clients to figure out which catalyst works best and the ideal ratio to water. And yes, we also talk about how coffee, tea, and soft-drinks can stealthily dehydrate you.

In kinesiology, dehydration has a metaphysical meaning: “How are you neglecting yourself—or your thirst for knowledge?” Many of my clients are pros at putting everyone else first (you know who you are—people-pleasers, perpetual yes-ers, parents). But guess what? Putting yourself first is not selfish—it’s survival.

So, how much water do you actually drink? And more importantly, are you nourishing yourself in all areas of your life?

Originally posted June 2012. Reposted August 2025