Despite being surrounded by wellness content, health apps, and smart bottles that glow when it’s time to drink water, doctors increasingly believe we may be living in one of the most quietly dehydrated
generations. The signs are subtle but widespread: fatigue, headaches, dry skin, irritability, and poor concentration, yet most people rarely link these symptoms to something as basic as not drinking enough water.
We speak to Dr Pooja Binani, Consultant Nephrology, KIMS Hospitals, Thane, to understand how is this dehydration can affect us.
Screen Time Is Weakening Natural Thirst Signals
Internal medicine specialists point out that modern lifestyles have dramatically changed how our bodies sense thirst. Today’s young adults and working professionals spend long hours in air-conditioned rooms, on laptops and phones. These controlled indoor environments lower humidity, causing our bodies to lose water without us realising.
At the same time, deep mental engagement—typing, designing, scrolling, gaming—dampens the brain’s natural thirst cues. When we’re focused, we simply don’t feel thirsty. By the time the urge to drink appears, mild dehydration has already set in.
Replacing Water With “Drinks” That Don’t Hydrate
Doctors also note a behavioural shift: people are drinking more fluids than ever, but not water. Tea, coffee, iced beverages, energy drinks, colas and sugary drinks have become daily staples. The problem?
● Caffeine is a mild diuretic.
● Sugary drinks spike blood sugar and increase urination.
● Packaged juices and smoothies often contain more sugar than hydration.
So even though people feel like they are constantly “drinking something,” their bodies remain dehydrated at a cellular level.
Stress Is Drying Us Out—Literally
Modern stress plays its part too. Chronic stress raises cortisol levels, which increases water loss and alters electrolyte balance. Busy schedules make people forget to sip water or delay drinking until they feel exhausted. Salty snacks, processed meals, and high-caffeine routines further push the body into a continuous loop of low-grade dehydration.
Why Dehydration Goes Unnoticed
Mild dehydration often doesn’t look dramatic. It shows up quietly in ways people commonly ignore:
● Tiredness or afternoon fatigue
● Reduced concentration
● Headaches
● Dry lips or skin
● Muscle cramps
● Mood swings or irritability
● Constipation
● Dark yellow urine
Over time, chronic dehydration increases the risk of kidney stones, urinary tract infections, poor digestion, and reduced physical endurance. Children and older adults are especially vulnerable because they may not naturally communicate thirst clearly.
Hydration Has Become Mechanical, Not Mindful
People often force themselves to drink “eight glasses” but don’t build mindful habits. Doctors suggest simple, sustainable steps:
● Drink a glass of water after waking up.
● Keep a bottle visible during work.
● Drink water between cups of tea or coffee.
● Include water-rich foods like fruits, vegetables and soups.
● Avoid relying on sugary beverages for hydration.
● Sip small amounts throughout the day instead of gulping occasionally.
Yes, we may indeed be a “dehydrated generation” without realising it. Our digital lifestyles, caffeine-heavy routines, and constant stress pull us away from the body’s most fundamental need—water. But small, consistent changes can restore hydration as a natural part of daily living. In a world obsessed with advanced wellness, perhaps the simplest form of self-care is just pausing to sip water.
