Health and Wellness programme

Health and Wellness

Ballet Eastern Dance in its own efforts offers to promote healthy consumption and living lifestyle.

The physical and mental demands of performing artists especially dancers are at a significant risk of sustaining performance-related injuries. The types of physical and mental health problems of performing artists vary and complex with Anxiety and Perfectionism being the common one.

Our Health and Wellness programme is open to all especially dance students and teachers. The objective is to promote and educate on injury prevention, effective and efficient training and career longevity. Anyone of a profession in which 'sick-days' are rarely an option, you are most welcome to this community educational programme.

Looking ahead, we shall invite physicians and healthcare practitioners such as nutritionists, physiotherapists, chiropractors, psychologists, naturopathic doctors and fitness instructors to conduct health and wellness awareness through educational talks, workshops, outdoor activities and if possible, screening.

The Benefits of Drinking Water

Water is an essential component of life. In fact, water is all around us. Water influences all biological processes that occur in our bodies. This explains why we feel good after drinking enough of it. However, many people do not consume enough water each day and underestimate the importance of staying hydrated. Hopefully, by the end of this article, you will be convinced to drink more water!

Here are several benefits of drinking water:

1. Energy booster
Do you often feel tired, sluggish, and have trouble concentrating? It could very well be a sign of dehydration. Since the human brain consists of mostly water, it is strongly influenced by its hydration status. The pH range between 1 and 14, where 7.35-7.45 is ideal for optimal physiological functioning. A decrease in the body’s pH levels may hamper the body’s ability to assimilate vitamins and minerals, causing a dip in energy levels and poor concentration. This is preventable by drinking more water, thereby alleviating tiredness.

2. Remedy for headaches
The common types of headaches include chronic tension headaches from stress and fatigue, cluster headaches which occur in clinical patterns and hormonal headaches which affect only one side of the head similar to migraines. Despite their different clinical terms, they share a similarity, that is - drinking water can treat them. Those who suffer from headaches, suffer from chronic unintentional dehydration, resulting in an imbalance of sodium and potassium ions in the body. This can be remedied naturally by drinking water, which will help to regulate the balance of the body’s electrolytes.

3. Improves Skin Condition
Drinking enough water can give you healthy and glowing skin. It will rid the body of toxins and at the same time deliver essential nutrients to skin cells to replenish skin tissues. This helps to increase the skin’s elasticity and turgidity as well as allow the skin to maintain optimum moisture, which can help to delay the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Those with skin conditions such as psoriasis or eczema have inherently dry and brittle skin. Consuming adequate amounts of water can keep the skin moisturised and reduce flare-ups.

4. Removes bodily toxins
A primary function of our kidneys is to maintain overall fluid balance, and filter waste materials from the body. Without proper kidney function, a build-up of excess fluid and waste products inside the body can occur. Drinking water is a simple yet vital way to protect kidney health. Kidney stones are a common symptom of dehydration. They are formed when the limited volume of urine passing through the kidneys are unable to adequately dilute the high concentration of minerals, resulting in the crystallisation and formation of clumps within the kidney or urinary tract. Not only can water help prevent initial formation of stones by disallowing salts and minerals to accumulate, it can also cure kidney stones by dissolving the clumps.

5. Improve digestive health
Drinking water can act as a digestive aid. It helps to keep your intestines smooth and flexible, allowing the food you eat to move more easily through your intestines. Water also makes minerals and nutrients more readily accessible to the body and helps to digest soluble fiber. This fiber dissolves easily and benefits your bowel health by making well-formed, soft stools that are easy to pass and exit the body.

6. Promotes weight loss
Drinking plenty of water can aid in weight loss. It increases satiety, preventing you from overeating and can also give a boost to your metabolic rate. Drinking water before meals can help to reduce appetite, therefore, causing you to eat less. Overall, drinking more water is linked to a decrease in calorie intake, thus reducing the risk of long-term weight gain and obesity.

7. Maintain healthy muscles
Drinking water can help alleviate the feeling of muscle soreness and maintain good muscle health. Muscles are made up of about seventy-five percent water. Hence it is necessary to drink enough water for the blood supply and oxygen to be delivered efficiently to your muscles. Replenishing the supply of fluids after exercising is also essential, as it allows nutrients to be delivered to your muscles, helping them to repair quicker, and to reduce pain and injuries.

How much water do you need to drink?
The amount of water that a person should drink, is more individualised than the general rule of eight glasses per day. It depends on several factors such as size, weight, activity level and lifestyle. Your urine is a good indication of your hydration level. If it is pale yellow to clear, it means you are well-hydrated. If it's dark, you are probably dehydrated. Drinking water should be intuitive, although it can be easy to forget to drink enough especially when you are busy. Cracking lips? Headache? Infrequent trips to the bathroom? Your body is smart and will give you signs that it needs water. Overall, water is one of nature’s most effective medicine, as it can heal many ailments and restore balance to the body.

References:
16 Impressive Benefits of Drinking Water | Organic Facts. (2018, March 26). Retrieved from https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/other/health-benefits-of-drinking-water.html

22 Amazing Benefits Of Drinking Water For Skin, Hair and Health. (2013, December 21). Retrieved from http://www.stylecraze.com/articles/benefits-of-water-for-skin-hair-and-health/#gref

7 Science-Based Health Benefits of Drinking Enough Water. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/7-health-benefits-of-water#modal-close

Functions of Water: Health Benefits | Everyday Health. (2015, February 16). Retrieved from https://www.everydayhealth.com/water-health/water-body-health.aspx

How Water Helps Muscles Recover From Exercise. (2013, January 17). Retrieved from https://woman.thenest.com/water-helps-muscles-recover-exercise-11264.html

Phon, A. (2012, March 20). 10 Reasons Why You Should Drink More Water. Retrieved from https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-4287/10-Reasons-Why-You-Should-Drink-More-Water.html

The Real Health Benefits of Water | Health Plus. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.asiaone.com/health/real-health-benefits-water-health-plus

Tessa Chua, Contributor
Tessa holds a Diploma in Biomedical Science with specialisation in Biomedical Research, Ngee Ann Polytechnic.