Staying Hydrated
It's no secret how much of our bodies are made up of water. Every cell, tissue, and organ needs a sufficient amount to work properly. The best part of staying hydrated is that it actually helps to flush out some of the toxins and garbage we take in in a given day. Now that it's summer, it's even more important than ever to be conscious of staying hydrated. Below are some common symptoms of dehydration as well as some helpful ideas on how to stay on top of your hydration.
Common symptoms of dehydration:
-Darker than usual urine
-Dizziness
-Headache
-Muscle cramps
-Fatigue
-Craving sweets
-Dry mouth and skin
-Bad breath
Some helpful ideas to stay hydrated:
-Have oatmeal for breakfast. When the oats are cooking, they expand and absorb the water or milk. If you don't want a warm breakfast in the summer, consider doing overnight oats. They are nice and cold from the refrigerator and you get to just grab and eat.
-Coconut water. There is a high level of electrolytes as well as iron and potassium.
-Limit your alcohol intake. Don't get me wrong, I love a glass of wine now and then but too much of any alcohol leaves your body depleted of water.
-Don't wait until you're thirsty to take a sip. Most likely you are already dehydrated at that point. Take your water bottle with you everywhere you go and sip throughout the day. There are also apps you can put on your phone to help you track the amount of water you have consumed and how much more you need to take in.
-Drink a glass of water as soon as you wake up in the morning. This can help flush anything not needed in the body but also help to turn on different systems such as your metabolism. You can also flavor your water with a lemon slice, orange slice, or a number of other fruits to give it a little zing!
-Eat water-rich fruits and veggies. Some popular suggestions are watermelon, strawberries, peaches, pineapple, cucumbers, leafy greens, radishes, celery, zucchini, and tomatoes.
-Invest in a nice water bottle. There are SO many fun and interesting water bottles that your biggest problem will be deciding which one to buy.
In conclusion
Whether you are flavoring your water with lemon slices or cutting back on your alcohol consumption, these little tricks will all add up to keep you feeling your best. It's impossible to be perfect but try listening to your body. If you start to feel early signs of dehydration, try one of these helpful tips. We all want to be outside during these warm months so fill up that water bottle and remember to sip as you go.
