We live in a watery world. Although 71% of the earth is covered with water, humans (and other animals) have sought reliable sources of water since the dawn of time. Too much and there may be flooding; too little may result in drought; too salty and the water must be processed to be drinkable. Water polluted by human or animal waste is unpotable. All around the world humans settled by seas, oceans, rivers, lakes, springs, oases and aquifers. Our ingenious ancestors designed and constructed wells, dams, canals, public baths, fountains, irrigation and sewage systems. On my Swiss side of the family, our very name Zumbrunnen means someone who dwells by a spring or well.
I have been fortunate enough to visit two ancient water works on opposite ends of the earth with very different environmental challenges. In 1987, I traveled throughout China with several family members. We visited Dujiangyan, the oldest extant irrigation system in the world and the nearby sacred Taoist mountain, Mount Qingcheng. There are eleven important Taoist temples on the mountain. On a rainy, misty day, we visited the irrigation works and two temples – The Temple of Taming the Dragon and the Temple of Two Kings (and perhaps others). The temples’ naturalistic architecture blended with the environment so well that they appeared to be a part of the forested mountain. That enchanting day remains one of the peak experiences of my life, shared with loved ones. Dujiangyan is still used to irrigate over 668,700 hectares of farmland, drain floodwater and provide water resources to more than 50 cities in Sichuan province. It even withstood an earthquake in 2008!
Did you know that Phoenix, Arizona was named in recognition of the fact that the city arose atop the remains of the Huhugam (aka Hohokam) culture? Huhugam remains include an extensive network of irrigation canals along the Salt and Gila Rivers, ball courts, pyramid mounds and farming villages. This culture thrived for over 1,000 years until circa 1450 AD.
Nearly five years ago my brother and I visited S’edav Va’aki Museum Foundation (Formerly Friends of Pueblo Grande Museum). Dave worked as a water chemist and was enthralled by the map of the irrigation system in the museum.
Brian Fagan wrote in Elixir,
Hohokam canals flow outward from the Salt River like the tentacles of a giant octopus. They bifurcate and bifurcate again, once full of gently flowing water transported for mile after mile by the forces of gravity. Omar Turney, a city engineer for Phoenix, mapped the ancient Hohokam irrigation systems during the 1920s. He walked the river basin and consulted old maps and historical records to reveal what he called “the largest single body of land irrigated in prehistoric times in North…. America.”
Adult human beings are more than half water. It is said we can survive just three days without water, depending on our health and other contributing factors. We must stay hydrated to maintain critical bodily functions. For example, when we lose water, we also lose electrolytes. These electrically charged nutrients are essential for regular heartbeats, muscle contractions and more.
Fortunately, the human body’s intelligence includes the ability to adjust fluid levels. Thirst is one way fluid in the body is regulated. According to an article in Great Senior Living, when fluid levels drop, the hypothalamus sends signals that create the thirst sensation. Kidneys preserve water by producing a more concentrated urine when body fluids are low.
According to the International Bottled Water Association, Americans consumed 15 billion gallons of bottled water in 2020. Most larger communities provide water catchment and treatment systems. With access to potable water in many forms, I was surprised to discover that a large portion of the U.S. population is chronically dehydrated resulting in a number of health issues. Anyone can become dehydrated at any stage of life; however, infants and elders are at particular risk. In fact, dehydration is a leading cause of hospitalization for seniors. Following are factors that may contribute to dehydration in older people:
- As we age, our body has less water composition, so dehydration can occur more quickly.
- Seniors often lose the sense of thirst or mistake thirst for hunger. As a result, older people tend to drink less water.
- By the time elders feel thirsty, they are often already dehydrated.
- Kidneys may not work as effectively with age, leading to a fluid imbalance.
- Diuretics are especially prone to causing dehydration, while medications taken in combination can lead to dehydration.
- Many seniors are concerned about incontinence and limit their intake of fluids, particularly before bed. Others are fearful of falling while getting up during the night to urinate. According to the National Association for Continence, drinking more water may actually help some seniors deal with incontinence.
- Dementia patients may forget to drink. Decreased cognitive ability may lessen the chance of the brain receiving thirst signals.
- Other health conditions that can lead to dehydration include diarrhea, fever and diabetes.
Stay Happy, Healthy and Hydrated
According to Ayurveda, water (apas) is one of the five great elements along with fire, earth, air and space. The qualities of water are cool, stable, heavy, moist, smooth, cloudy, and soft. In Ayurveda and Yoga, wellness is equated with balance. When we feel too warm, ungrounded, immobile or irritable it is often a sign of dehydration – all signs we need to increase the balance of fluids in our body. Staying hydrated can lower the risk of developing chronic illnesses and premature death.
As Randall K. Parker wrote in Scientific American:
To stay healthy, humans must maintain water balance, which means that water losses must be made up for by water intake. We get water from food and drink and lose it as sweat and urine (a small amount is also present in feces). Another major route of water loss usually goes unnoticed: because we exhale air that is water saturated, we lose water each time we exhale. On a cold day we see this water in the air as it condenses.
The following tips will help you stay balanced and hydrated:
- Drink a cup or two of water as part of your morning routine. This will boost your metabolism and help flush out toxins. Add lemon, apple cider vinegar or ginger if it pleases you.
- Drink water before taking a bath or shower.
- Continue to drink water throughout the day, just not all at once. Keep a bottle or cup of water nearby so you don’t forget.
- Drink mindfully, sipping not gulping. Sip, swallow, breathe.
- Drink room temperature or warm water. Cold, icy water dampens your digestive fire (agni).
- Drink a glass of water before mealtime to enhance digestion.
- Do not drink an excessive amount of water during and immediately after meals. Fill your stomach with 50% food, 25% water and 25% empty space.
- Drink a glass of water before going to bed.
- Listen to your body’s thirst signals! By the time you feel thirsty, you are often already dehydrated. Sometimes people confuse the sensation of thirst with that of hunger.
- Drink before and after practicing Yoga. If you need to drink during class, listen to your body. Staying hydrated helps muscles recover and flush out toxins eliminated through twisting, sweating and breathing deeply.
- Adjust according to the weather, your constitution, age and current state of health. Drink more in hot, dry environments.
- Eat fresh fruit and vegetables. Twenty percent of the water we consume daily comes from fruits and vegetables. The following are especially high in water: lettuce, celery, zucchini, cabbage, cucumbers, watermelon and other melons and strawberries. In addition to their high fluid content, these fruits and vegetables are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that promote your overall health.
- Other foods that help you remain hydrated include yogurt, soup and broth.
- Drink flavored water for variety. Try infusing it with fruit. Add lemon, lime or orange. You can also add herbs like mint or basil. Add a flavored electrolyte.
If you’ve tried these tips and you’re still experiencing dehydration, consult your medical practitioner.
Do you gravitate towards water when you wish to relax and unwind? Perhaps a hike to an alpine lake…. rafting or kayaking in a river…. walking on a beach…. or simply listening to soft rain on the rooftop. Have you noticed that guided meditations often include soft sounds of water, or the imagery of a calm lake?
Water does more than provide fluids to sustain life. Sources of water are gathering spots – from the water cooler at work to public fountains. At other times, bodies of water are a place to seek solitude and contemplate our existence as Thoreau so eloquently wrote in Walden. In his bestselling book, Blue Mind: The surprising science that shows how being near, in, on, or under water can make you happier, healthier, more connected, and better at what you do, marine biologist Wallace J. Nichols, wrote about the scientific evidence that being close to bodies of water promotes mental health and happiness.
Thank you brother Dave for teaching me the importance of safe drinking water and to Victor for our epic trip to China.
Heidi Lynne' Yoga and Wellness 