Hello, Friends!
Is it hot enough for ya? LOL! My goodness we have had quite the July so far haven’t we? If you have seen our social media posts, you know we are talking about all things water this month. Super timely and important. Many of our clients are probably sick of hearing us say, “Drink your water!” But seriously…in today’s heat, it could really make all the difference in how well you navigate these high temperatures and the gross humidity that comes with them. We hope you all are having a safe and fun summer! Stay tuned for more about your hydration routine below ⬇️
Cheers!
Laurel
Most of us think we’re drinking enough water — and yet so many people still feel tired, foggy, or just a little "off" when the summer heat rolls in. Here's something that might surprise you: hydration is about so much more than how many glasses of water you drink each day. True, cellular hydration depends on a delicate balance of water and minerals working together. Understanding that relationship could change the way you think about your energy, your digestion, and how you feel every single day. I'm so glad you're here, because this is one of my favorite foundational topics to share with the people I care about most.
Water Is Only Half the Story…
I want you to picture using a garden hose to water a newly planted tree. 🌳 You can turn the water on full blast, but if there's a hole in the hose, the water never reaches the roots. Your body works in a remarkably similar way. Water needs the right mineral environment to actually move into your cells where it can do its most important work. Without key minerals like sodium, potassium, magnesium, and chloride — what we call electrolytes — water tends to pass through rather than nourish deeply.
These minerals act as gatekeepers, helping to regulate how fluid moves in and out of your cells. They support healthy nerve signaling, help maintain normal muscle function, and play a key role in keeping your energy steady throughout the day. When your mineral levels are low, even generous water intake may leave you feeling less vibrant than you'd expect.
During summer, this dynamic becomes even more important. Heat, outdoor activity, and perspiration all increase your body's demand for both water and the minerals that go along with it. And here's what I find so meaningful about this: it's not complicated to support. It simply requires awareness — knowing what your body is asking for and learning how to respond with intention. That's exactly what we'll explore together in this newsletter, and I promise, by the end, you'll be looking at your water glass in a whole new way
What Your Body Is Really Losing When You Sweat
Sweat is often thought of as just water leaving the body, but it's actually a mineral-rich fluid. Every time you perspire — whether from summer heat, exercise, yard work, or simply going about your day in warm weather — your body is releasing not just water, but meaningful amounts of electrolytes alongside it. This is completely natural and normal. The key is understanding how to replenish thoughtfully.
Magnesium is one of the minerals I talk about most in my practice, and for good reason. It supports over 300 enzymatic processes in the body — everything from energy production and muscle relaxation to nervous system calm and healthy sleep rhythms. It is also one of the minerals most commonly depleted through perspiration and stress. Many people I work with are genuinely surprised to learn how foundational magnesium is to how they feel day to day.
Potassium supports healthy fluid balance and normal cardiovascular function, while sodium (often unfairly villainized) plays a critical role in maintaining blood volume and helping the body hold onto water appropriately. The relationship between these minerals is beautifully orchestrated by the body, but it requires raw materials to work with.
Simple Signs Your Minerals Might Need Some Attention
I want to be clear that I'm sharing this as education, not diagnosis, but I do think it's empowering to know what your body might be communicating. There are some very common experiences that can be connected to mineral imbalance and suboptimal hydration, and recognizing them is the first step toward asking better questions about your health.
Fatigue that doesn't fully resolve with rest is one I hear about frequently. So is muscle cramping — especially in the legs — headaches that seem to appear on warmer days, difficulty concentrating, and a general sense of feeling "flat" or low-energy despite sleeping reasonably well. Occasional constipation and sluggish digestion can also be related to inadequate hydration and mineral support, since the digestive system depends heavily on proper fluid balance to function smoothly.
Here's a detail I love sharing because it tends to stick: thirst is actually a late indicator of dehydration. By the time you feel genuinely thirsty, your body is already signaling a need that has been building for a while. Paying attention to things like the color of your urine, how your lips feel, and how your energy shifts throughout the day can give you much earlier clues.
After Awareness Comes Action…
1) Start With What's Already in Your Glass💦
Before we add anything new, let's take an honest look at what you're already drinking — because the foundation of great summer hydration isn't a complicated protocol, it's awareness. Many of our clients are surprised to discover that the water they drink every day may not be carrying minerals into their cells the way they assume it is.
Here's a detail I find people never forget: highly filtered or reverse osmosis water, while clean and pure, has had most of its naturally occurring minerals stripped away. Drinking it without replenishment is a bit like washing a sponge and wringing it out — clean, yes, but empty. Your body still needs what was removed.
A simple starting point is to assess the quality and source of your drinking water. If you're using a reverse osmosis or heavy filtration system at home (which I often recommend for purity), the next step is to consciously support your mineral intake through whole food sources and, where appropriate, professional-grade mineral supplements we carry at Westside Natural Health.
2) Eat Your Water — Yes, Really🥬🍉🥒
One of my favorite practical tools for summer hydration is something you're probably already doing without realizing its full benefit: eating fresh produce. Whole fruits and vegetables are some of the most mineral-rich, water-dense foods available to us, and summer is genuinely the best time to lean into them.
Think of a ripe watermelon on a hot July afternoon. That fruit is roughly 92% water — but it also carries potassium, magnesium, and other trace minerals that support normal muscle function, healthy nerve signaling, and the kind of steady energy that doesn't crash by 3 p.m. That's not a supplement in a capsule; that's food doing exactly what food is designed to do.
⁉️Did you know we sell products that support Hydration⁉️
💦Ultima Replenisher Electrolytes, making any cup of water more fun to help you get your electrolytes in!
🧂Redmond’s Real Salt, perfect for adding a pinch to your cup of water or under your tongue!
🌊 Energetix ReHydration Homeopathic Remedy, for increased or decreased thirst, dryness, and headaches!
💪 BODYHEALTH Perfect Amino Electrolytes, an electrolyte powder blend with essential Amino Acids and Nucleic Acid Building Blocks!
Let’s Talk GROUNDING!🦶🏽🌱🌎👣
Grounding is a practice that involves direct physical contact with the
Earth’s surface. We’ve all heard that you should walk barefoot in your yard,
but why? Walking barefoot on grass, sand or dirt, allows your body to
absorb free electrons from the Earth’s surface due to its negative charge.
These free electrons act as a natural antioxidant which help the body to
function more efficiently. Have you ever noticed how relaxed and healthy
you feel after a trip to the beach? The ocean grounds faster than bare feet on
grass and salt water conducts electrons 100 times better than on dry land!
Making direct electrical contact with the Earth’s surface is a healing power!
Benefits of grounding include improved sleep, increased energy,
decreased inflammation, cortisol, stress, pain, anxiety and depression.
The FDA reports that Americans spend 90% of their time indoors!
Since we do spend so much time indoors, we are now offering a tool to do
your grounding inside. You no longer have to worry about the temperature,
the weather, the bugs or where you have let your pets roam! Introducing the
P90+. It offers a Pulsed Electromagnetic Field and is a non-invasive tool that
uses rhythmic electromagnetic waves to support cellular health and overall
wellbeing. It replicates the Earth’s natural frequencies and is approved by the
FDA. You simply place your bare feet on the pad for 20 minutes. The only
thing you will feel is a mild warming of the lower legs. Quick, painless and
no bugs! Call to schedule your free initial session.
Call to schedule your free initial grounding session!!
Key Takeaway:
Important notes
This newsletter is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your health routine
If you would like personalized support in building foundational habits like these into your health plan, I would love to connect with you. Call us at (812) 303-4407 to schedule a free discovery call — I am here to help you take the next step at whatever pace feels right for you.
With warmth and whole-health support,
Laurel Hart, ND, Dara Shigley, CNHP, Kelsea Parker, Sherry Parker, HC
The Team at Westside Natural Health
BRAS Thermography
BRAS Thermography Louisville has been rescheduled to Friday, July 31st!! Call Dr. Chip Gilmour with thermography questions or to get on the schedule today.
He can be reached at (502) 895-1224.
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