Be Well, 0417 WYBJ, Vol. 40 No. 2. 52
| Author | Maryt L. Fredrickson Ninth Judicial District Jackson, Wyoming |
Drink More Water
Maryt L. Fredrickson Ninth Judicial District Jackson, Wyoming
The brain is one of the lawyer’s most important organs. Operating with a dehydrated brain is more likely to lead to depression, anger, emotional instability, impaired sleep, afternoon fatigue, and brain fog. Other effects of dehydration include difficultly problem solving and memory impairment, both of which involve cognitive functions that lawyers rely on. Fortunately, the solution is a mere water tap away. Before you finish reading this edition of Wyoming Lawyer, consider getting (and drinking) a cup of water.
Physiology of Hydration
Hydration and brain function came to my attention a few years ago when a friend in her 90s began doing brain gym activities to keep her mind sharp. One of the exercises prescribed by her therapist was to drink a glass of water. Hydrating is such a simple exercise with profound benefits.
The body is between 60% and 70% water. The brain is approximately 85% water. When we are dehydrated, the brain does not work as efficiently Short-term memory and our ability to recall from long-term memory are both affected. A dehydrated brain has difficulty focusing. We have brain fog. A mere 1% of dehydration is likely to result in a 5% decrease in cognitive function. Some studies report this can occur in as little as four hours without drinking water, conducting normal daily activities.
Conversely, full hydration leads to greater mental alertness and ability to concentrate. Water is a vehicle that delivers nutrients to the brain, allows for toxins to be removed from the brain, and then lets the brain do its all-important work of nerve transmission and hormone production. One of those hormones is serotonin, which is an essential component of fighting depression. Another hormone, actually produced by the adrenal glands at the kidneys, is cortisol. Cortisol production is increased in stressful environments, which are common in the practice of law, and chronic cortisol exhausts the adrenal glands. Fatigued adrenal glands then produce another hormone called aldosterone which triggers dehydration and leads the body to a state of dehydration.
How Much to Drink?
T e average adult loses more than 80 ounces of water per day. Thus, it seems logical to drink at least 80 ounces per day. The Mayo Clinic has recommended women drink...
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