The ER Bill Scared Me More Than Almost Dying!

One of the many times I almost died

At 25, I ended up in the emergency room yet again – my first time since coming to America.

The cause? Fainting spells, life-threateningly low blood pressure, and abnormally high heart rates – all from forgetting the basic human need for hydration and barely drinking a glass of water for over a decade.

It began harmlessly in my early 20s with sporadic lightheadedness. But soon dizzy spells morphed into full syncope events – my vision going black as my body collapsed.

The first time it happened I was so depressed that I thought I had just blacked out due to lack of eating. I ignored it until I got married and it happened with my husband – he freaked out.

What did the doctors find? Severe dehydration.

And so began my battle with trying to form a habit that was necessary for my survival. I met a doctor who warned me that chronic dehydration could lead to strokes and kidney damage. I had also had kidney stones before getting married. While still depressed, none of this scared me.

What scared me was: the ER bill in America and my husband’s face when he saw it. I felt like a burden and started behaving as small as I could, hiding and barely speaking.

He sat me down and told me that it’s okay, I am worth more than this, and that it’s just a few months’ salary. Losing me is much worse and something he cannot afford. That helped calm me down, but I became determined to fix at least one problem for him.

Yet despite stylish water bottles, phone alerts, and Post-It note reminders everywhere, I routinely failed.

After 6 months and slightly better mental health, I once again found myself back in the ER hooked to IV fluids and monitors.

This time because every time I stood up I would pass out form tachycardia (my resting heart rate was 140bpm) and the ER recommended I see a cardiologist as soon as possible.

I had finally destroyed my body enough(throughout my self destructive years) that simple dehydration could truly kill me. At just 25 years old, it could cause me a heart attack.

My husband sat me down and poured his heart out. I told him I was trying but didn’t know how. So we started looking for life coaches. Around this time, Mel Robbins was promoting her coaching program: Launch. And he enrolled me.

The most important thing I learned was how to form habits and maintain them.

How did this water habit finally stick- thanks to Mel Robbins?

Goal: The goal was to drink 16oz of water upon waking, then 16oz three more times during the day to total 64oz.

Accountability: Tracking my daily ounces consumed in the Habit app.

Habit Stacking: 16–20oz with every meal. 40oz while working out.

The Method Matters: My husband refills his giant 64oz bottle, while I preferred portable 16oz bottles to steadily sip all day. And consistently striving for “Minimum Effective Dose” makes small steps feel oddly satisfying. Whether drinking straight from the bottle or using a straw- keeping water always within arm’s reach made hitting goals automatic.

Before I knew it, 64oz minimums became laughably easy. Now I average over 100oz water daily without trying – no more dehydration symptoms.

You cannot find success in life in any sphere if you are not able to establish simple habits. And what better habit to begin with than drinking enough water for better health?

Forming any habit requires accountability and a system to track progress. Business or personal goals alike depend on consistency – doing the work even when we lack motivation. Creating small, regular habits teaches us discipline and makes success more attainable over time.

Authors note: My heart condition did not start due to dehydration. It worsened because of it.

I have been well and drinking water for over a year now.

My mental and physical health has improved immensely over the time of two years.

*Human generated content. AI-free. Detox day-17*

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