Hydration is Self-Care

Our bodies are 70% water, meaning our bodies cannot do anything well or for long without that clear liquid.  However, it can be so easy to overlook or forget about the all-important elixir.  

Like many of us, I have the sickle cell trait.  This means that my body is sensitive to not getting enough water. I have learned to always keep my trusty water bottle with me, but even sometimes with my best efforts, I don’t always get enough to drink.

When I get dehydrated, it truly feels like my body and brain get stuck.  I feel sluggish, tired, and just cannot accomplish what I need to do until I drink more water.  Essentially, I need H20 so my body can flow.

Dr. Amy visiting with federal legislators from Missouri on Capitol Hill.

When thinking about advocacy, there is another sort of flow–the flow of communication.  So much of advocacy at any level (e.g., workplace, community, state, federal, etc.) is effective communication, which comes from knowing your audience.  For example, if you ascribe to a particular political persuasion and are advocating for an issue to someone of a different or opposing political persuasion, you will need to choose your words from the perspective of your listener for them to be heard most effectively.  I engage in legislative advocacy on behalf of the mental health profession and the people we serve, and I live in an extremely conservative state.  This means that I have to understand the priorities of my legislators to strategically think about how I wish to communicate the information that I would like for them to agree with me about, and vote in support of.

So, to keep your brain and body flowing effectively with good hydration, a great goal is 8 cups/64 ounces of water daily.  Please also remember that caffeine is dehydrating, so coffee or soda does not contribute to your water goal.  Ways to increase success in drinking water include: choosing a fun container to drink from (e.g., your favorite color bottle), keeping your water container in sight (e.g., on your desk), keeping cold water accessible, using sugar-free flavor packets or a fruit diffuser to add interest, tracking with an app, or setting sipping reminders on your phone (many tracking apps include built-in reminders).  To keep your words flowing effectively, check out The Goodman Center, which offers resources and services to help you use stories to communicate effectively in advocacy and general workplace endeavors.

Remember, prioritizing yourself is a revolutionary act, and small steps can have a profound impact. Let’s commit to thriving unapologetically—individually and together. Stay tuned for more tips and inspiration in the months ahead!

In solidarity,

Dr. Amy

This is part of Dr. Amy's Self Care Is Political Warfare series. Read the entire series here!