Health Coach Corner by Maria Hicks

Hello, my name is Maria Hicks and I recently joined Kapnick Insurance Group and the growing Health Solutions (formerly known as Health Management) team. I am a certified fitness professional and certified health coach. Workplace wellness is gaining popularity and we are here to help create innovative, engaging and successful wellness programs for our clients.

I am happy to be a contributing author to the new Health Solutions blog; formerly known as “Sarah Says” and now “Health Coach Corner” on a weekly basis. I will cover topics in the areas of healthy eating, weight management, exercise, stress, healthy baking, cooking & recipes, fad diets, hydration, holiday health and a variety of other health & wellness topics!

Since it’s July and the middle of a hot summer, my first quick tip is all about water! I know you have heard it before “drink plenty of water”. What does that exactly mean anyway? I mean, I hear it all the time and I think I know how to drink “plenty of water” but did you know almost 70% of Americans are actually dehydrated? Did you know dehydration causes more than headaches? Dehydration is linked to back pain, allergies, asthma and immune dysfunction. Dehydration may cause heartburn because it allows acid to reach the mucosal area, causing pain. This pain is a signal that more water is needed. Antacids will neutralize the stomach acids, relieving the pain, but will not address the principal problem, which is that the body needs more water. This may not be the sole reason you have heartburn but drinking more water will either eliminate the problem or help alleviate the problem.

On a regular basis, aim for at least 64 oz of water a day. You will need more if you exercise, sweat a lot and/or drink coffee, tea, or colas and since many people consume these other beverages, it’s safe to say we need more than 64 oz water everyday. Add lemon, fresh pineapple, blueberries or sliced cucumbers for a really tasty and refreshing hydration experience!