Improving Mental Health with Hydration: Counselors Webinar
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A series of discussions have highlighted the critical yet often overlooked connection between hydration and mental health. The live counselor education webinar emphasized the 'PIECES' model, which integrates physical, interpersonal, emotional, cognitive, environmental, and spiritual aspects of health, underscoring the impact of hydration on each. Dehydration is linked to a range of mental health symptoms, including depression, anxiety, fatigue, and cognitive difficulties. It was noted that a significant portion of adults consume less water than recommended, with children in schools and the elderly being particularly at risk due to various factors such as limited access to water and a natural decrease in thirst. The discussions also pointed out that certain medications and environmental factors exacerbate dehydration, which can impair driving performance, increase pain perception, and affect mood and cognitive functions. The nervous system, which relies on fluid to function properly, suffers when dehydrated, leading to sluggish cognitive functions and altered neurotransmitter production. Chronic dehydration can also disrupt sleep and circadian rhythms, weaken the immune system, and elevate cortisol levels, starting individuals at a higher stress level. The impact of dehydration on self-efficacy, performance at work or school, and overall quality of life was also addressed, with social withdrawal and strained relationships being potential interpersonal consequences. The quality of water consumed was another concern, with contaminants such as lead, arsenic, chlorine, and pharmaceuticals posing health risks and deterring adequate water consumption. The importance of using filtered water to reduce these contaminants was stressed, with personal anecdotes and suggestions for improving water intake, such as adding natural flavorings or using water filters. The discussions concluded with a call to action for individuals to conduct personal hydration experiments and track the positive changes in various aspects of health, advocating for the use of filtered water to mitigate health issues and improve well-being. Upcoming educational videos were promised to provide further insight into water contaminants and strategies for ensuring water quality.
A series of discussions have highlighted the critical yet often overlooked connection between hydrat