Even with the longer summer days, it seems the days still go by so quickly. You may have a glass of water when you wake up, but then it’s coffee, coffee, and more coffee--and just like that, it’s dinner time and a big ol’ glass of wine. If you’re anything like us, water isn’t necessarily the first drink we think of gulping down during a long workday, but it should be. How much water should we drink? Up to 60% of the human body is made up of water. Because of this, we need water for all processes in our body, including sweating, breathing, and detoxifying, not to mention keeping our energy up. Most people need anywhere from eight to ten 8-oz glasses of water a day. This amount can include other beverages, such as coffee and juice; however, limiting caffeine and sugary drinks help you to keep your calories low (happy waistline!) and your hydration high (happy body!). Daily totals are also affected by your level of exercise, so the more active you are, (and we hope you are very active!), the more water you will need to drink.  Are you properly hydrated?  Trying to decide whether you are hydrated can be a little challenging, so the easiest way to determine if you are drinking enough fluids is to check your urine. If you notice a dark color, or if it smells strongly, then you may be dehydrated. Ideally, you want to have a light-colored urine with very little odor. Can your vagina get dehydrated? This may come as a surprise, but yes! Your vagina can get dehydrated. Hydration affects all aspects of your body processes, so achieving a healthy hoohoo is also dependent upon how much water you drink. Detoxification is an important process that requires water, and if you are dehydrated, your body has a harder time getting rid of waste. This build-up of toxins can be a contributing factor to many issues in your body, including bladder and kidney infections.   If you’re drinking enough water, your vagina should be well-lubricated. Dr. Sherry Ross, women’s health expert and author, says the opposite is also true; if you don’t drink enough water, you can dry out down there and be the reason you can’t get wet. If your vagina is regularly dehydrated, you may experience itchiness, burning, and pain down there. This could lead to (or exacerbate) a yeast infection, which nobody wants. How can we increase our hydration levels? It can definitely be a challenge to take in enough liquids throughout the day, so try these small changes to increase your hydration level painlessly: First thing in the morning, (after you pee!), drink a full glass of water before you drink anything else.  Choose a sealed container, preferably 16-20 ounces or more, to fill with water and carry around with you during the day.  If you are at the computer for an extended period of time, try a sealed cup with a straw that doesn’t spill.  Straws tend to make people drink more! Enjoy many fresh fruits and vegetables, as these are filled with water and count toward water intake. When you sit down to eat, make sure to have at least a full glass of water. Add lemon, lime or cucumber to your plain water to increase your desire to drink up! Trust us, this hoohoo hint is a winner for all of us at healthy hoohoo headquarters ;)  Alcohol and caffeinated beverages increase your urge to pee, so drink in moderation, as excess urinating dehydrates the body more quickly. In addition, have a glass of water handy when you choose these beverages.        Give it your all to include these tips in your daily routine to create a happier, healthier, more hydrated you.  Help your hoohoo and your body by raising your water glass to your health right now! For more information or if you have a question, please email us at ariana@healthyhoohoo.com. Also, check out this post for a more medical point of view: http://depts.washington.edu/hhpccweb/article-detail.php?ArticleID=335&ClinicID=13