The color of your urine.
One of the best ways to determine if you’re drinking enough water is to monitor the color of your urine. It usually ranges from pale yellow to tea-colored due to the combination of the pigment urochrome and the water level in your body. If the pee is often clear, that’s a sure sign you’re drinking too much water in a short span.
Too many bathroom trips.
Another sign is if you’re relieving yourself more than usual. On average, you should urinate six to eight times a day. Going up to 10 times is normal for water-drinking high achievers or people who regularly drink caffeine or alcohol.
Drinking water even when you’re not thirsty.
A third way to avoid drinking too much water is to be aware of when your body needs it. The body can fight against dehydration by letting you know when you need to drink some water. Thirst is the body’s response to dehydration and should be your guiding cue.
Nausea or vomiting.
The symptoms of overhydration can look like those of dehydration. When you have too much water in the body, the kidneys can’t remove the excess liquid. It starts collecting in the body, leading to nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Throbbing headaches all through the day.
Headaches can signify both hydration and dehydration. Excess water in the body causes the body’s salt levels to go down and the cells to swell. This swelling causes them to grow in size, and those in the brain press against the skull.
This pressure causes a throbbing headache and may lead to brain impairment and trouble breathing.
Discoloration of the hands, feet, and lips.
When you’re overhydrated, you will notice some swelling or discoloration of your feet, hands, and lips. When the cells swell, the skin will also swell.
Weak muscles that cramp easily.
When the electrolyte levels drop because of drinking too much water, your body balance goes down. Low electrolyte levels in the body can cause muscle spasms and cramping.
Tiredness or fatigue.
Drinking too much water causes your kidneys to work too hard to remove the excess amount. This creates a hormone reaction that makes you feel stressed and tired. If you can’t get out of bed after drinking too much water, it’s because your kidneys are overworking.
