Many of us already know the physical signs of mild dehydration. These include a dry mouth, thirst, feelings of hunger, parched skin, headache, sluggishness and even constipation. 
But there’s another symptom to add to the list. New research suggests that even mild cases of dehydration can have negative impacts on our mood.
A study published recently in the Journal of Nutrition looked at how mild dehydration impacts on cognitive performance, mood, and other brain functions.
While the effects on cognitive performance seemed minimal, dehydrated study participants found it significantly harder to concentrate and perform certain tasks. They also reported feeling more irritable and fatigued.
While the participants were only young women, the researchers feel this could impact men too.
In conclusion, say the researchers from several US universities, this study demonstrates that, in healthy young women, mild levels of dehydration result in adverse changes in key mood states such as vigour and fatigue as well as increased headaches and difficulty concentrating, without substantially altering key aspects of cognitive performance.
Dehydration is in the news too because the Duchess of Cambridge is pregnant again and is known to suffer from severe morning sickness and a condition called hyperemesis gravidarum which can require supplementary hydration, medication and nutrients. It affects 3.5 per 1,000 pregnancies, causes severe vomiting and can lead to dehydration, weight loss and a build-up of toxins in the blood or urine, called ketosis.
Many people are reluctant to drink water, thin king their liquid intake of coffee, tea or alcohol will be sufficient. This is obviously not the case.
And this is where hypnotherapy can be a big help.
The National Council for Hypnotherapy has trained and well-qualified therapists on its register who are experienced in dealing with dietary issues.
Over eating, poor relationship with food and weight issues are among the ‘bad habits’ hypnotherapists deal with and the reason why hypnotherapy works so rapidly with bad habits and behaviours is because it works directly with the subconscious, bypassing the critical mind and getting to the root of the issue so that changes can be made.
What we eat and drink is important to our well being and, through hypnotherapy, a better regime can be ‘installed’ in the subconscious and this will lead to better habits. Not only is a lack of hydration a danger to athletes and fitness fans it can also affect the more sedentary among us and adults need to be made more aware of dehydration risks following an increase in kidney stone patients in the UK, a Hampshire surgeon has said. Bhaskar Somani from Southampton General Hospital, said people were ‘in denial’ about the importance of drinking two to three litres of water a day. He said monthly kidney stone admissions to the hospital had gradually increased while a recent study showed a 63 per cent rise in kidney stones from 2000 to 2010.
Hypnotherapists aim to have their clients benefit from the sessions and it is important that you feel comfortable and at ease with your therapist and any treatment will be greatly enhanced if you have confidence in the practitioner.
The next stage is that you will be asked about the problem and notes may be taken. The therapist will need to find out certain necessary information both about the problem and about you. The third stage is hypnosis itself. There is a certain personal variation among therapists and they will often use different approaches for different individuals.
If your health is important to you, then contact a hypnotherapist near you by using the Council’s therapist finder link. You have nothing to lose and a lot to gain.
