FOR years health advisers have been telling us we should drink at least eight glasses of water a day.
But now scientists have discovered that taking a cold shower in the morning can help to reduce stress.
Researchers from Hull University found it increased mental toughness and the ability to face intense situations.
Water, or the Great Healer, as it is called by some alternative therapists, has been used to treat everything from headaches to high blood pressure.
Perhaps it’s not so surprising considering the human body is two- thirds water and every bodily function is regulated by it and depends on it to work properly.
Not convinced? Read our guide to what water can do for you.
DRINK
EVERY diet and healthy eating regime recommends we drink eight to 10 glasses of water a day.
A high level of water intake daily can enhance digestion, improve skin condition and help detoxify while improving every aspect of health.
Drinking enough H2O can cure headaches, back pain, arthritis, ulcers, asthma, hypertension, morning sickness and fatigue, while also boosting energy and curbing hunger pangs.
Scientists have also proved that drinking just five glasses a day decreases the risk of colon cancer by 49 per cent, breast cancer by 79 per cent and bladder cancer by up to 50 per cent.
EXERCISE
WORKING out in water has many benefits compared to hours in the gym or pounding the pavement.
Acting like a giant cushion it helps prevent bodily wear and tear, which is especially good for overweight people or those prone to injury, while also giving you a better work out as muscles have to work harder to combat the force of the water.
And exercising in water doesn’t just mean swimming.Water polo, aquarobics and even aqua chi are all good ways of getting fit underwater.
SALT WATER
MAYBE not in the Scots winter, but try to get down to the beach and into the sea as often as you can.
Sea water contains minerals which eliminate toxins and boost circulation.
Its high levels of magnesium, potassium, calcium sulphates and sodium also act like antiseptics, boosting the rate of cell renewal.
Many alternative therapies now make use of sea water, including Thalassotherapy, which involves sitting in a bath of warm salt water while your body is pummelled by water jets – fantastic for boosting circulation, easing arthritis and clearing up skinconditions. Another treatment is called WATSU and involves being stretched by a therapist while floating in a salt water pool.
As well as balancing body and mind it opens up muscle tissues, loosens joints and improves flexibility.
Aqua detox simply involves sitting with your feet in a basin of organic sea salt water while your toxins drain out – watch in amazement as the detoxifying water changes from clear to murky brown as it soaks up your body’s rubbish.
CLEANSING
WATER is also back as the best way to cleanse and moisturise your face.
Most top brands of cosmetics sell bars of soap or wash away cleansers to be used with water instead of cleansing milks.
Bottled water giant Evian have even created a range of skin care with water as its core ingredient.
COLONIC IRRIGATION
ONCE unmentionable in polite society, as soon as Princess Diana and Kim Basinger admitted it was an essential part of their health and beauty regimes, people were queuing up to have their intestinal tubes flushed out at salons.
The colon collects many of the body’s toxins, but once they are washed away with a
good old fashioned douche, colon hydrotherapy fans report vast improvements in skin condition, hair lustre and cellulite.
It can also help alleviate arthritis, psoriasis, food allergies and chronic fatigue.
DOGS
WATER isn’t just good for us, its miracle healing properties can help our canine pals as well.
Dogs with injuries, cancer and all kinds of other conditions benefit amazingly from swimming sessions in a warm pool, where limbs can move freely without weight bearing forces allowing sick animals to exercise with less pain.
It is also good for healthy dogs who just need to improve their levels of fitness.
DOUCHES
HAVING a jet of water directed at particular parts of the body can also help alleviate a range of conditions.
Knee douches, where the jet is drawn from the small toe up to the back of the knee on both legs helps headaches, low blood pressure, insomnia and varicose veins. Raising the stream higher to include the thigh helps ease muscular rheumatism andcoxarthritis. Including the lower trunk helps certain gallbladder and liver problems. An arm douche is good for treating nervous disorders, heart problems and paralysis. Including the chest helps asthma and doing the upper trunk as well can aid treatmentof vocal chord disorders. Back, neck and face douches can help with lung disease, depression and tinnitus.
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