Just Drinking Water, It Turns Out It Can Help Reduce the Risk of Anxiety and Depression

YOGYAKARTA - Maintaining mental health is often associated with exercise, adequate sleep, and the ability to manage stress. However, there is one simple habit that often escapes attention, namely drinking enough water every day. In fact, a number of studies show that good hydration is not only important for physical health, but can also play a role in maintaining mental health and emotional well-being.

The human body is mostly made up of water. This fluid is needed for various important functions, ranging from regulating body temperature, helping blood circulation, to supporting brain performance. When the body is deficient in fluids, various functions can be disrupted. Even mild dehydration can cause fatigue, headaches, difficulty concentrating, and decreased mental performance that can ultimately affect a person's mood.

Interest among scientists in the relationship between hydration and mental health has increased in recent years. Several studies have found that people who are dehydrated tend to have higher levels of anxiety than those whose fluid needs are well met. Researchers suspect that fluid deficiency can affect the systems in the brain that play a role in regulating emotions and responses to stress.

In addition to anxiety, the relationship between drinking water and depression is also a concern for researchers. One study published in the World Journal of Psychiatry by Fahimeh Haghighatdoost, involving 3,327 adults to see the relationship between drinking water consumption and mental health conditions.

The results of the study showed that participants who drank less water were more likely to experience depression than those who drank more water every day. These findings remained even after researchers took into account various other factors that could affect mental health, such as age, body mass index, physical activity levels, and diet.

Interestingly, the researchers concluded that low water consumption is associated with increased likelihood of depression. In the report of the study, it was mentioned that individuals who drink less than two glasses of water per day have a higher chance of experiencing depression than those who consume five glasses or more every day. This finding led the researchers to assess that hydration may be one of the factors that contribute to a person's psychological health.

However, scientists warn that the study is observational. This means that the study only shows a relationship between the two conditions, not proving that drinking less water directly causes depression. Further research is still needed to understand whether increasing water consumption can actually help reduce the risk of depression directly.

Another thing to note is that the scientific evidence on depression is currently stronger than anxiety. In a study conducted by Fahimeh Haghighatdoost and her team, the relationship between water intake and depression remained significant after various factors were taken into account. Meanwhile, the relationship with anxiety became weaker after statistical adjustments were made. Therefore, experts assess that the link between hydration and depression is currently more convincing than its relationship with anxiety.

Although it is not fully understood, there are several reasons that can explain why hydration affects mood. Launching Psychology Today, Monday, June 8, the brain needs a good fluid balance to be able to carry out various important functions optimally. When the body is dehydrated, a person can more easily feel tired, have difficulty focusing, and experience a decrease in energy. These conditions are known to affect emotional well-being and daily quality of life.

The good news is, keeping the body hydrated is a simple step that anyone can take. You can start by getting used to drinking water when you wake up, carrying a drinking bottle when you are active, and not waiting until you feel thirsty. In addition to helping maintain body functions, this simple habit can also be part of efforts to support overall mental health.

In the end, mental health does not always depend on major changes. Sometimes, simple habits such as meeting daily fluid needs can also provide unexpected benefits. Although water is not the only solution to prevent anxiety or depression, various studies show that good hydration is related to healthier psychological conditions. Therefore, ensuring that the body gets enough water every day is a small step worth maintaining to support mental health and overall body health.