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Here at the Hydration Foundation one of our most important pieces of data to share is that even a 2% decline in hydration leads to measurable cognitive loss.  Let that sink in.  Reductions as small as 2% shrink brain operation.  Why is no one talking about this in relation to suicide impact?

This makes sense when we recall the brain is a big bowl of jello and the water content is absurdly high.  Not to mention that water, as in hydration, conducts electric function. When there is an electrical storm going on in your brain, urgent hydration is what it needs, then sustained moistening.

We already know Mild Dehydration Affects Mood in Healthy Young Women from L. Armstrong’s beautiful study.  Of course suicide is another level of urgency than mood, but both come from the same need.   Hydration IS a potent and needed prescription in discussing suicide prevention and we need to get this message out there fast as we face unbelievable climbing rates.  We cannot lose our young to suicide, the ultimate condemnation of our culture. Let’s ask why suicide is so high. One thing we can say is modern life is deeply dehydrating due to high use of cellphones, computers, cars, stultifying indoor environments at work, school and home, and yes, stress.  Stress chemicals released in our bodies suck up the very hydration needed for repair and for clear calm thinking.*

On top of that, meds given for mental health are further dehydrating.  Doctors and caregivers need to know this. Remember, we know even 2% dehydration affects brain clarity.  All prescriptions should come with further instruction on hydrating well.

Actually, someone is talking about this.  We do in Quench, our book giving hydration recipes, we do at Hydration Foundation seeking to spread education on how to hydrate.  Who else is talking is Dr. Sara Van Anrooy, MD, a psychiatrist who founded the Center for Stress Medicine.  Her first line of defense for recovery of  her mental health patients is to hand them a water bottle before they even leave her office.  That’s practical intervention.

But hydration isn’t just ever more drinking.  Too much drinking may be one of the very problems, flushing out the exact brain nutrients and electrolytes needed for resilience.  Hydration is a whole body strategy and we teach you how in 3 easy steps. Our battle cry is Drink, Eat, Move!

If you know any stressed young people, talk to them about hydration and how it can help them cope with modern life, high school, college, purpose in life, even romantic breakups. Water rescues.

*Lesley Una Pierce, Director of The Nutritional Healing Foundation and her book, ‘The Life-Saver’s Guide to Water – The Elixir of Life’ says, “In a nutshell, STRESS is the most dehydrating thing of all. Our cells will be stressed because they are not getting enough water. It is said that we can create more toxicity from our thoughts and bottled up emotions than we ever could from our food.”

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