People who drink more water are happier, here's why
Drinking water has a multitude of health benefits – but did you know that it can benefit your mental health too?
A new survey has found that people who drink more water report higher happiness levels than those who drink less water.
In fact, 46% of the people who drank the most water (10 or more glasses a day), said they were very happy, compared to 22% who drank the least (less than one glass a day).
The survey from True Lemon, which was conducted by OnePoll, also found that people who increased their water intake were more likely to call themselves a ‘glass half full’ type of person.
The link between hydration and happiness isn’t just observational either. One study from 2014 found that when people who drink less than 1.2 litres of water a day increased their fluid intake, this boosted their mood.
"These recent studies linking increased water intake to higher self-reported positive emotions simply reinforce what I've consistently observed in my clinical work. When we nurture our bodies through adequate hydration, our minds naturally tend to follow suit with an uplift in mood and mental clarity," Emily Mendez, private practice psychotherapist, wellness expert, and mental health writer at Blog of Tom, tells Yahoo UK.
"The connection makes perfect sense when you consider how dehydration taxes our physical and psychological systems. Clients arriving fatigued and struggling with headaches or brain fog often admit to neglecting their water intake. But once we implement consistent hydration habits, it's like a mental fog lifts. Their energy, focus, and resilience in the face of stressors improve markedly."
Mendez adds that proper hydration can support positive mental health in several ways.
"From a physical perspective, all our systems operate optimally when hydrated," she explains. "We have more energy, improved concentration, and seem better equipped to handle life's ups and downs.
"But the psychological impacts are just as profound. I've seen client's entire demeanours brighten as they consistently nurture their bodies in this fundamental way. Suddenly, they have more resources to approach challenges instead of feeling completely overwhelmed."
So, while staying hydrated isn’t the cure-all for mental health issues, Mendez says it can create a strong foundation.
She adds: "When we take care of our bodies' basic needs, our minds naturally follow with improved focus, mood stability, and an ability to fully engage in working towards our goals."
Additional reporting by SWNS.
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