Every day, people must drink a certain amount of water to survive as more than 50% of your body is made up of water (60% to be precise). 

Translation: it’s essential to stay hydrated. Why? Water makes up most of your body.

There’s so much that water does for you to keep your body functioning:

• To manufacture hormones and neurotransmitters for the brain.

• To keep the mucous membranes in your ears, nose, and throat moist.

• To form saliva for digestion.

• To regulate body temperatures through sweating and respiration.

• To act as a shock absorber for the brain, spinal cord, and fetus.

• To convert food to components needed for survival.

• To flush out body waste in the form of urine.

• To help deliver oxygen all over the body.

• To lubricate joints.

• To allow cells to grow, reproduce, and survive.

Here are 7 ways for you to figure out if you’re hydrated enough.

1) The Urine Test for Dehydration

The most commonly known method is the urine test. All you need to do to gauge how hydrated you are is to pay attention to the color of your pee. If your urine’s color is very dark and has a strong smell, you better drink some water now because you are definitely dehydrated. However, you can be too hydrated where if your pee is completely clear, you might be drinking too much water and your body is getting rid of excess water. The color you want is a pale yellow which shows that you are hydrated enough and you are getting rid of all the waste that your body eliminates through your pee. Check out the urine heat map below as a reference to see if you are hydrated enough.

2) The Skin Test for Dehydration

Another way is a viral trend on TikTok where you check the elasticity of your skin. It’s very easy – just pinch the skin on the middle part of your finger to see if you’re hydrated enough. If your skin snaps back right away to its normal state then congratulations you’re hydrated! If not and it remains in the same position from your pinch or is slow to return to its normal state, then you should drink some water as soon as possible because you’re dehydrated!

3) The Sniff Test for Hydration

Step 1: Find someone willing to smell your breath. Step 2: Have them tell you if your breath smells bad. Bad breath is a good indication of dehydration because when you’re dehydrated your mouth can produce saliva and instead cause bacteria to build up in your mouth to make bad breath.

4) The Pee Break Test for Dehydration

If you are going to the bathroom every few hours and your urine is a pale yellow from above, chances are you are sufficiently hydrated. Frequently drinking water and having water-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, and mushrooms will allow you to have more breaks.

5) The Headache Test for Dehydration

One in 10 people have experienced a dehydration headache (a headache or migraine when some people don’t drink enough water) according to the medical journal, Headache. Furthermore, in another small study of people with chronic migraines also by Headache, over a third considered dehydration a trigger! To prevent a headache or migraine trigger, drink some water!

6) The Thirst Test for Dehydration

Did you wake up with a dry mouth? Does your mouth feel dry after eating salty food? Did you sweat profusely during a workout? You’re probably thirsty and need H2O stat!

7) The Fatigue Test for Dehydration

If you’re feeling pretty light-headed or tired while working, you may be dehydrated. This is a good reminder to take a break and drink some water!

A Full Picture of Your Health

Hydration is just one piece of your health. 

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