Atomic Habits: Hydration
Even mild dehydration can negatively affect us mentally and physically, and therefore, spiritually.
I’m sharing some of the atomic habits that I’ve (re)discovered during my recovery from burnout. While I’ve often been tempted towards making grand, visionary changes to my habits and routines in order to improve my life, I’ve had to learn that healthy, sustainable, and effective change in almost any area only comes when I adopt small, strategic changes (i.e. atomic habits) and allow them to stack over time. There’s a reason the Bible often invokes agricultural metaphors when describing spiritual transformation and growth; we cannot fast-track or bypass the slow and steady pace that deep maturity and growth requires. Lord knows I’ve tried.
One of the smallest but most impactful changes I’ve made is learning to properly hydrate myself. Getting an adequate intake of water is one of the easiest habits to integrate into our daily lives, and yet many people vastly underestimate the amount of hydration their body requires. But proper hydration is a cornerstone of general health and wellbeing. The Harvard School of Public Health notes:
”Drinking enough water each day is crucial for many reasons: to regulate body temperature, keep joints lubricated, prevent infections, deliver nutrients to cells, and keep organs functioning properly. Being well-hydrated also improves sleep quality, cognition, and mood.”
Even mild dehydration can negatively affect us mentally and physically, and therefore, spiritually. When I look back on my 30’s, I would guesstimate I only provided my body with about 50% of its hydration needs. As a result, I consistently struggled with lethargy and mental acuity. Obviously this impacted every dimension of my life, including my spiritual vitality, sense of hope, and experience of joy and connection with God and those around me.
One of the earliest changes I made after my sabbatical last summer was to build the habit of tracking my water intake in order to ensure proper hydration. Within days I noticed a substantial difference in my energy levels, mental acuity, and overall mood. It wasn’t long before I began to realize that what I sometimes perceived to be a “spiritual slump” was simply dehydration! It was a wake-up call for me in terms of recognizing the importance of providing proper inputs to my body in order to strengthen and sustain my spirit.