Day 12 - Drink 8 Glasses of Water

Tammy Landsiedel
May 12
2 min read

Turns out hydration isn’t just a government conspiracy after all.

Let’s be real: drinking 8 glasses of water a day is the gold standard of health advice—right up there with “get enough sleep” and “eat your vegetables.” And just like those other tips, most of us know it’s good for us... and don’t do it. Hi, it’s me—one of the many.

I’ll admit it: I’ve historically treated water like a background character in the story of my life. Necessary, sure—but rarely center stage. That is, until I hit the beginning stages of menopause and started noticing things like my skin drying out and the kind of bloating that makes you suspicious of your own salt intake. Suddenly, water’s been looking a lot more like the unsung hero it is.

Yesterday, I committed to the elusive goal: 8 glasses. And guess what? It was actually doable. Shocking, I know.

💧The Science Behind the 8-Glass Rule

The “8x8” rule (eight 8-ounce glasses a day) isn’t just something your doctor says while side-eyeing your coffee habit. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, water is crucial for regulating body temperature, keeping joints lubricated, protecting organs and tissues, and aiding in digestion and waste elimination. (1)

Dehydration—even mild—can lead to fatigue, brain fog, mood swings, and poor concentration. In fact, a study published in The Journal of Nutrition found that even a 1–2% decrease in hydration can affect cognitive performance and mood in healthy young women. (2)

Water also plays a role in supporting kidney function, reducing headaches, and even managing cravings and appetite. (No, I’m not saying it’s a magic weight-loss trick—but it sure helps your body stop confusing thirst for hunger.)

💬 My Hydration Reality Check

My first glass of water left me parched. I know—how does that even make sense? You’d think drinking water would solve thirst, not start it. I immediately drank another glass just to stop questioning my life choices. Thankfully, that second glass settled me down, and my body stopped acting like I’d been wandering the desert for 40 days.

The rest of the day involved a lot of laundry, light tidying, and bathroom trips (because let’s be honest, drinking this much water turns your bladder into a full-time job). My granddaughter was with me until 10am, so I only managed two glasses while she was here—because, priorities. After she left, I got more focused and knocked back the rest.

I didn’t magically become superwoman, but I did notice I felt less sluggish. More notably: my hands weren’t dry, and I didn’t wake up feeling like I’d spent the night in the Sahara. Win.

Also: no tears on Mother’s Day. That alone felt monumental. Staying focused on hydration gave my mind something simple and positive to hang onto—and that grounding effect matters more than people realize.

💡 Final Thought

Water might not solve all your problems, but it sure makes surviving them easier. I’m planning to keep this excessive water thing going today too—not just for the skin benefits, but because waking up hydrated might be my new guilty pleasure.