03/04/2026
Whether you’re just beginning your journey to better health or have been eating your veggies and exercising for years, you should feel proud of yourself for making healthy lifestyle choices. However, with so much contrasting health and wellness information out there—especially from unqualified sources, it’s all too easy to fall into seemingly “healthy” habits that might actually be preventing you from achieving your goals.
While most of these practices aren’t bad in and of themselves, they can certainly harm your health if done improperly. Over the past few days, we have been looking at some “healthy” habits to watch out for, according to dietitian, Melissa Mitri, M.S., RD.
Today, we look at water intake. Don’t get us wrong, staying hydrated is an essential part of your overall health. However, it’s possible to overdo it on water consumption. The “golden rule” of eight glasses a day isn’t totally accurate—some people need more and some less depending on body size, activity level and climate. Drinking too much water (gallons and gallons in a short amount of time) can actually lead to hyponatremia, a condition where your sodium levels are too low.
“Aim to drink to thirst and estimate your water needs based on your urine color. A light yellow indicates that you’re adequately hydrated, a clear color means you’ve had too much, and a darker yellow indicates you haven’t had enough. Also, getting water from foods high in water content is another avenue to get up to 20% of your fluid intake from food combined with health-promoting nutrients,” Mitri says.
Living a healthy life is a delicate balancing act. And overdoing certain habits, like cutting carbs, exercising too much or fasting unnecessarily, can have unintended negative consequences for your health. Instead, practice moderation and listen to your body. Making sustainable, well-rounded choices will help you maintain long-term wellness without unnecessarily limiting yourself or adding stress. If you have questions or concerns about your habits, speak with your primary health care professional or a registered dietitian.
Come see us at R3 Wellness and Infusion (formally Ridgeland Family Healthcare). Located at
587 US-51 Suite T, Ridgeland, Mississippi 39157
Call 601-790-7711 for an appointment or walk-in!
https://www.r3wellness.com/