3 Tips for Staying Hydrated in the Summer
By Genevieve Cunningham
Hydration is a big deal. It's a really big deal. When dehydration sets in, it can bring with it an entire set of damaging side effects. From headaches to dry skin to weakness to death -- dehydration is nothing to take lightly. In the summer, staying hydrated is harder than ever. With the increased time outside and the rising temperatures, it's important to keep your body full of H2O. But this can certainly be a challenge. If you're interested in maintaining proper hydration and good health throughout the summer months, take a look at these three tips that you can start today.
The Most Obvious: Drink More Water
The best way to stay hydrated is also the most obvious way: Drink more water. Hydration is all about getting water in your body, and the fastest way to do that is to drink water all day every day. At the very least, you should be drinking eight glasses per day. But most professionals advise that you should actually drink half your body weight in ounces. While you may not be able to drink this much on day one, stick to the plan, and soon you'll be well hydrated from the inside out.
The Less Obvious: Choose the Right Foods
A much less obvious -- but also very effective -- way to get some water into your diet is through your food. Some foods are absolutely packed full of water. The best place to turn is to fruits and vegetables. Some fruits and veggies -- like cucumbers, melons, and berries -- consist of over 90 percent water. That's a lot! Drink water and add some water-filled foods to your diet, and you'll absolutely be on the right track.
The Extra Tip: Remember Electrolytes
Hydration is more than just water. If you don't replace electrolytes, you'll still be dehydrated. Luckily, there are really easy ways to do this. Sports drinks are made for the specific purpose of replacing electrolytes for athletes. But if you're not an athlete and don't have sports drinks handy, pickle juice can also help you replace the sodium lost in sweat. Any time that you're spending excessive time in the heat and losing a lot of water, plan on replacing electrolytes to stay hydrated and healthy.
Summer is hot. It's fun, but it's also full of sunshine and plenty of sweat. Staying hydrated is extremely important for your long-term health. Use these tips to keep your body healthy and hydrated this summer, and go into fall feeling better than ever.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Collierville, Tenn.