Water and depression and stress

If youre looking for a simple way to unwind from your stress-filled life, try this: drink a glass of water.

Sound too easy? The link between water and depression and stress reduction is well documented. All of our organs, including our brains, need water to function properly. If youre dehydrated, your body isnt running well -- and that can lead to stress.

Studies have shown that being just half a liter dehydrated can increase your cortisol levels, says Amanda Carlson, RD, director of performance nutrition at Athletes Performance, a trainer of world-class athletes.

Cortisol is one of those stress hormones. Staying in a good hydrated status can keep your stress levels down. When you dont give your body the fluids it needs, youre putting stress on it, and its going to respond to that, Carlson tells WebMD.

That doesnt mean that drinking plenty of water throughout the day will magically cause your money problems, your kids troubles at school, and your deadlines at work to disappear. But if youre already stressed by coping with all of these things, you dont need the additional stress of dehydration to add to your burden.

Youre actually likely to get more dehydrated when youre under stress, because your heart rate is up and youre breathing more heavily, so youre losing fluid, says Renee Melton, MS, RD, LD, director of nutrition for Sensei, a developer of online and mobile weight loss and nutrition programs. And during times of stress, youre more likely to forget to drink and eat well. Just getting enough fluids helps to keep you at your best during times like these.

Cortisol is one of those stress hormones. Staying in a good hydrated status can keep your stress levels down. When you dont give your body the fluids it needs, youre putting stress on it, and its going to respond to that, Carlson tells WebMD.

That doesnt mean that drinking plenty of water throughout the day will magically cause your money problems, your kids troubles at school, and your deadlines at work to disappear. But if youre already stressed by coping with all of these things, you dont need the additional stress of dehydration to add to your burden.

Youre actually likely to get more dehydrated when youre under stress, because your heart rate is up and youre breathing more heavily, so youre losing fluid, says Renee Melton, MS, RD, LD, director of nutrition for Sensei, a developer of online and mobile weight loss and nutrition programs. And during times of stress, youre more likely to forget to drink and eat well. Just getting enough fluids helps to keep you at your best during times like these.