Chances are, you're not getting enough water.

Most people have heard the statistic that the human body is almost 2/3 water - and that sounds like quite a bit. But in fact only a small drop (of even two percent) in the water levels in your body is enough to cause mild dehydration which can affect your mental abilities, vision and motor skills. Many common complaints might be caused by the fact that you are not drinking enough water - the most common are excessive tiredness, headaches, stomach aches and, of course, thirst (which is usually an indicator that you are already slightly dehydrated!). In college, it is often easier to get sports drinks, energy drinks, soda or juice which might be more appealing than straight water. The daily recommendation, however, is eight 8oz glasses of water a day. A good rule of thumb is at least one glass of water with each meal, one between each meal, and one before bed.

Dehydration and water needs can be influenced by a number of factors. How much you exercise plays a large role in your necessary water intake as you are losing greater amounts of water through sweat. For the same reason, a hot or humid environment can also lead to more rapid water loss and therefore dehydration. Keep in mind that many illnesses can cause you to loose additional water and while you are sick you should make an effort to drink more water than normal.

Perhaps the most common cause of dehydration is college is through drinking alcohol. Alcohol is diuretic which means that it causes the body's cells to lose more water that they absorb. This speeds up the process of water loss and can very rapidly lead to dehydration which is, in fact, one of the main causes of hangovers the next morning. A side effect of alcohol poisoning is the possibility of dangerous dehydration. It is always a good practice to alternate each alcoholic beverage with a different, non-alcoholic drink, and this is just as much to prevent dehydration as it is to prevent drinking unsafe amounts of alcohol.

There is no downside to drinking more water. You will be more alert, better rested, healthier... water has even been shown to improve your skin! You also might be surprised to see current health complaints disappear as you drink more water. Don't like the taste? There are now many flavored waters or powders on the market. Don't risk your health by favoring sodas or energy drinks and make sure you're getting the right amount of water.