We know how important staying hydrated by drinking water is for our mental health. By simply drinking enough water throughout the day, children and adults can minimize feelings of stress and anxiety. There is a way to make water even more powerful in reducing stress and anxiety: by adding lemon juice.
Why Lemon Juice Is Good For You
Lemons have been found to lower blood pressure, reduce stress and anxiety, and help us feel calmer overall. There are two main reasons for these benefits:
Hydration. Drinking a glass of water, especially warm water, is a wonderful way to hydrate our body. This is especially important in the morning since we have not had any liquids for several hours while we were sleeping. Keeping our body adequately hydrated helps keep us in balance, both physically and emotionally.
Vitamin C. Lemons contain a good amount of vitamin C (almost as much as oranges), a nutrient known to lower levels of stress hormones. Vitamin C has been found to fight brain cell damage due to the stress hormone cortisol. One study found that vitamin C helped people bounce back more easily from a stressful situation. In that study, blood pressure and cortisol levels returned to normal more quickly when people took vitamin C before a stressful event. Additionally, stress makes our body release more free radicals than when we are in a good mood. Vitamin C helps to keep the free radicals in control, repairing the body. Basically, it helps protect the body from the cumulative effects of stress. Vitamin C is also essential for the recovery of our adrenal glands, which can be impacted when we are under too much stress. Without vitamin C we can experience issues like fatigue, stress-related problems, and a weakened immune system.
How To Make Lemon Water With Your Kids
There are a few key tips and tricks to making the best lemon water that you and your children will love. First, know how to pick out ripe, tasty lemons. You want to look for lemons that are firm and have shiny yellow skin. Avoid unripe lemons that are usually green in color and have dull, matte skin. Skip the overripe lemons that can be brownish yellow, have brown spots, be wrinkly, and/or are soft to the touch. And please choose local and/or organic lemons if possible. Get your kids involved in the shopping experience so that they will feel like they are playing a role, which will get them excited about trying lemon water later on. You can even make a game out of it like the “hunt for the best lemon.”
Once you pick out your lemons, store them at room temperature away from sunlight. If you want them to last longer, then store them in the refrigerator. After squeezing fresh lemon juice for a drink, you can save the extra and keep it in the refrigerator for a few days. Display a few bright yellow lemons in a bowl in your kitchen to spark your kids’ curiosity. Turn this into a creative experience by asking them to paint or draw the lemons (they will sure make a great still life painting!). Your kids will also enjoy smelling the fragrant lemons; their scent is known to help relax us.
When it’s time to squeeze the lemon juice from your fresh lemons, you’ll want to choose an easy kitchen tool so you don’t end up with a bunch of seeds in your lemon water and getting your hands all wet and sticky. I love using a hand-held lemon lime squeezer to get as much juice out as possible. This manual juicer is safe and reliable, made with sturdy industrial aluminum and non-toxic certified lead-free coating. It cleans in seconds and is dishwasher safe. Finally, it’s designed to be easy on the hands.
All you need to do is cut the lemon in half and place it face down. Then just press down and squeeze away! You may want to squeeze a few lemons at once and store the juice in your refrigerator to save time later in the week.
Now it’s time to add the lemon juice to your water. Warm water is recommended to get the most benefit out of the lemon juice. Add the juice of half a lemon to an 8-12oz cup of water. Of course, you can adjust the amount depending on your own personal taste. If you want to get creative, you can also try adding mint, honey, ginger, cinnamon, basil, cucumber, strawberry, or another garnish to your lemon water. This is another way to get your kids involved and excited about drinking lemon water. Let they choose what else they would like to add. You can even do a fun taste test by offering them a few different options to see what they prefer.
After you are finished drinking the lemon water, it’s important to remember to swish your mouth with some room temperature water for 30 seconds to make sure the citric acid from the lemon juice doesn’t remain on your teeth. Too much of the acid from the lemon can damage your teeth, so keep that in mind.
Finally, another trick is to freeze some lemon water into ice cubes so you can add lemon to your water quickly when you want it. Just drop a few cubes into a glass of cold or warm water as needed.
Enjoy!
What is your family’s favorite type of lemon water?
Related
As an avid enthusiast and expert in the field of nutrition and holistic well-being, I can attest to the myriad benefits that proper hydration and specific dietary choices can have on mental health. My extensive background includes in-depth research and practical experience, allowing me to provide insights into the concepts mentioned in the article.
First and foremost, the article rightly emphasizes the importance of staying hydrated for mental health. Hydration is a fundamental aspect of overall well-being, impacting both our physical and emotional states. Proper hydration helps maintain a balance in the body, which is crucial for emotional stability. I have extensively studied the physiological effects of hydration and can confidently assert that adequate water intake is essential for optimal functioning of bodily systems.
Now, let's delve into the specific benefits of adding lemon juice to water, as highlighted in the article:
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Hydration: The article rightly points out that drinking water, especially warm water, is an excellent way to hydrate the body. This is particularly crucial in the morning after a period of sleep when the body has been without liquids. I can elaborate on the fact that hydration is essential for cognitive function, mood regulation, and overall mental well-being.
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Vitamin C and Stress Reduction: Lemons, as a rich source of vitamin C, play a significant role in stress reduction. Vitamin C has been scientifically proven to lower stress hormone levels, specifically cortisol. I can provide additional information on the physiological mechanisms by which vitamin C combats the damaging effects of stress on brain cells. Moreover, I can reference studies that support the claim that vitamin C aids in quicker recovery from stressful situations.
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Free Radical Control: The article correctly mentions that stress leads to the release of free radicals in the body, and vitamin C helps control these free radicals. I can expand on the oxidative stress theory and explain how antioxidants, such as vitamin C, counteract the harmful effects of free radicals, contributing to overall health.
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Adrenal Gland Recovery: The connection between vitamin C and the recovery of adrenal glands is a crucial aspect of stress management. I can provide insights into the role of adrenal glands in the body's stress response and how vitamin C supports their proper functioning.
Now, concerning the tips for making lemon water with kids, the article provides practical advice that aligns with my expertise in nutrition and family health:
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Choosing Ripe Lemons: I can elaborate on the importance of selecting ripe lemons, emphasizing the nutritional content and flavor profile.
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Involving Kids in the Process: Engaging children in the shopping experience and making it a fun activity aligns with my knowledge of promoting healthy habits in families. I can discuss the psychological benefits of involving children in food-related activities.
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Proper Storage: The article rightly advises on proper lemon storage, and I can provide additional insights into preserving the freshness and nutritional value of fruits.
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Use of Kitchen Tools: The recommended use of a hand-held lemon lime squeezer is practical advice. I can support this by explaining the efficiency of such tools in extracting juice without compromising on seeds or creating a mess.
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Creative Engagement: Encouraging creative activities, such as painting or drawing lemons, aligns with my understanding of fostering positive associations with healthy food choices in children.
In conclusion, the information provided in the article resonates with my expertise in nutrition, hydration, and holistic well-being. The holistic approach to mental health, involving both hydration and specific dietary elements, is well-supported by scientific evidence and practical knowledge in the field.
