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PhasmaFelis t1_j6ca8gp wrote

Reply to comment by blakevh in ELI5: why do our bodies randomly act like we haven’t had water in days and that we need to chug a bunch randomly? by Serratedlily

People keep telling me that. I'll feel like complete shit and have no idea why 'til I take a sip of water, find myself greedily guzzling the entire bottle, and realize I haven't had a drink in six hours.

"When you're thirsty" doesn't work for everyone.

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_Sign_ t1_j6cpv33 wrote

it sounds like the classic "eat when youre hungry" advice. some peoples internal sensors arent calibrated correctly and theyll go all day without eating or always overeat

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RandyHoward t1_j6cuvdn wrote

This is me. I really don't get hungry very often and as a result I tend to eat one meal a day.

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DoctorWaluigiTime t1_j6ct6s8 wrote

It's okay to not drink water that long. Your body will inform you when you're thirsty. I suggest next few times you are thirsty you don't chug the whole bottle all in one go, however.

And yes, "you must have X amount of water a day" is bunk. Your body will not let you get into states of dehydration (which occurs long after "I haven't had a drink in six hours" -- you do that every night when you sleep, and you aren't in a state of dehydration when you wake up).

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jamesbideaux t1_j6cun2m wrote

that said you probably won't exert yourself as much when sleeping as you do when actively moving around and sweating.

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DoctorWaluigiTime t1_j6cv36s wrote

Of course, but my point is that thirst or dehydration doesn't happen by virtue of "it's been 6 hours" or whatever. It takes a day+ at minimum to start getting to danger levels unless you are actively working out / doing more than hermit-ing in the household.

Which again, your body will inform you of this, long before you get to actual dehydration (headaches et al). "I'm thirsty" is not the same thing as "I'm in a state of dehydration."

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PhasmaFelis t1_j6f4o67 wrote

> Your body will inform you when you're thirsty.

My body doesn't. That's what I'm telling you. I feel like shit, I don't feel thirsty; as soon as I drink something I suddenly realize I'm thirsty, drink a bunch, and immediately feel better.

We're not talking about life-threatening dehydration. We're talking about thirsty enough to feel bad, but my body isn't sending "drink something" signals.

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maynardftw t1_j6cxie2 wrote

You kind of are

My friend who worked out could only manage to get ab definition in the morning after he woke up

You sweat a lot in your sleep

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