7 Telltale Signs You're Not Drinking Enough Water

A stiff neck, hunger, premature wrinkles, bags under your eyes...Did you know that all of these may be signs that you're not drinking enough water? Grab a glass of water and read on to learn about these symptoms and more!

Reviewed and approved by the psychologist Bernardo Peña.

Written by Elena Martínez Blasco

Last update: 15 December, 2022

Most people don’t drink enough water, and they know it. But they don’t take it seriously enough don’t understand the negative effects dehydration has on their health. Did you know it could be causing your skin problems, back pain, or even hunger? Find out the most common – albeit not widely known – symptoms of not drinking enough water in this article.

Are you drinking enough water?

How many glasses of water you should drink throughout the day? 8 glasses a day is the magic number. This is without taking into account the water content in food.

We suggest that you drink 2 glasses before breakfast, 3 in the middle of the day, and 3 throughout the afternoon and evening. Always drink water separately from your meals to avoid digestion problems.

Do you think you’re drinking enough? You may not be. Here are 7 symptoms that may be signs that you should be drinking more.

1. A stiff neck

One of the most surprising symptoms of not drinking enough water is a stiff neck, or torticollis. According to traditional Chinese medicine, this is the influence of the kidney. The solution to a stiff neck may simply be sipping a lot of water throughout the day!

If you get a stiff neck quite often, then get in the habit of drinking enough water. In addition, take care of your kidney function by drinking more medicinal teas and onion broth.

2. Dry skin and eczema

Dry skin is a telling symptom of dehydration. After all, water is indispensable for healthy, elastic, and luminous skin. However, dry skin is also as sign of a diet low in essential fatty acids.

You can improve your eczema or even eliminate at altogether if you drink enough water throughout the day.

3. Premature wrinkles

Aging is characterized by a loss of water in the body. As hydration is lost, your skin is predisposed to wrinkles. This is the reason people with dry skin tend to have premature expression lines.

Drinking water is, therefore, an anti-aging remedy that’s much more effective than the majority of facial creams. After all, the best hydration comes from the inside.

4. Dark rings under your eyes

Those who have dark circles under their eyes know how hard they are to get rid of. They normally resort to makeup to make them less noticeable. However, these dark rings that show up under your eyes can indicate deficiencies like dehydration.

If you drink enough water and still have these bags under your eyes, improve your liver and kidney function with some type of treatment or purification.

5. Constipation

Constipation is a health problem that should always be treated, as it can bring along with it other more significant issues that can even become chronic over time. The important thing is to figure out the cause. This can be associated with a diet low in fiber, emotional issues or stress, or a weak liver function.

One widely-known cause of constipation for people with fiber-rich diets is dehydration. In order to properly digest fiber, you must drink enough water. Otherwise, constipation will just get worse and you’ll actually feel more bloated.

6. Back pain

Many people have frequent lower back pain issues. The problem could be muscular, but your kidneys are also located in this area and could be the cause of the pain. Sometimes, kidneys get inflamed or give warning signs of kidney stones.

No matter the cause, drinking water will naturally help improve kidney function, reduce inflammation, and help eliminate kidney stones.

7. Excess hunger

If you’re trying to lose weight and having trouble controlling your appetite, you should know that dehydration may be one of the reasons you’re always hungry and wanting to snack. When you’re thirsty, sometimes you don’t know what your body needs and you opt for food instead.

One of the best ways to know if you have excess hunger due to not drinking enough water is to drink a glass of water any time you feel hungry. You can also get in the habit of drinking a glass of water a half hour before each meal.

Give it a try, and it will really help!