“Without water our planet has no chance to survive- without water man is incapable of life. Our very constitution is based upon the need for water. Water purifies…water feeds, water sustains all life as we know it” Mary Muryn
While water plays a vital role in physical and physiological functions, it is also therapeutic in terms of the mental and spiritual aspects of health and wellness. Examples that come to mind are the comfort of a hot bath at the end of a hard day, or the wellness and relaxation of a spa. In this sense, water is also healing and a promoter of wellness.
One of the most comforting sounds in the world is that of gently falling rain, when you hear the gentle pitter-patter of raindrops, suddenly life slows down of its own volition Muryn (1995). Just like rain, standing under a waterfall can calm and almost magically wash away our cares and tensions. Drinking good quality water can also calm the mind and vitalize your spirit.
So let's bring water closer to home. Is your local water safe to drink? To find out, please visit the following site http://www.ewg.org/project/2009tapwater/search.php?zip5=22315&search=&x=search to get your local water quality report.
It is critical for you to know your local water quality ratings - you bathe in it, you cook with it, you water your garden with it. Water quality is the foundation of your health. You can also obtain real time data about water quality in our area by visiting: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis.
Is bottled water safer to drink? According to a study by the Natural Resources Defense Council, www.nrdc.org/water/drinking/qtap.asp water sold in the United States is not always filtered and not necessarily cleaner or safer than most tap water. The NRDC's study included testing of more than 1,000 bottles of 103 brands of bottled water. While most of the tested waters were found to be of high quality, some brands were significantly contaminated (freedrinkingwater.com, 2011).
Now, let's go back to health and emphasize that an essential aspect of health is to take a proactive approach; central to this approach is the need to stay hydrated. Water is the first step and the foundation to wellness and disease prevention.
There are many things outside of our control – drinking sufficient water is not one of them. If we develop the discipline to drink sufficient water, we strengthen our body reserve and our overall level of health and wellness.
This concludes our article series on water. Bottom line- Stay hydrated and choose the best quality water you can afford. It is an investment in your health.
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