June 23 is National Hydration Day. It’s a time to take a moment and think about keeping water levels topped off in the body, especially with June being rather toasty. The human body works best when it has enough water for the tasks it performs.
Here are a few tips to drinking more water so you’ll feel and function better:
When waking in the morning, it’s a great idea to drink at least 2 large glasses of water if you can. The flush of fresh water allows the body to re-establish optimum levels after an extended period without water.
During the day, keep water close at hand. Don’t wait until you are thirsty to reach for a drink. If you carry a water bottle, be sure to refill it and drink frequently throughout the day. Make it a conscious choice.
Eating fruits and vegetables as snacks and at every meal will help increase water content and help you stay hydrated. It will also increase fiber in your diet, a double win. Don’t skip meals! Eat a balanced diet. Fruits and veggies contain water, salt, and vitamins that can prevent dehydration.
Water, fruit juice, broth and non-alcoholic/low-protein drinks will refresh fluid stores. Alcoholic drinks, no matter how chilled, will force the body to excrete water and increase the likelihood of dehydration.
Drinking sports drinks after longer periods of exertion is a good idea. Your body will lose a lot of salt in high-humidity, high-heat workouts or even just working in the sun. Sports drinks can replace some of the electrolytes to help you recover, but they also often are a source of sugar.
If you are working out hard, remember that quick losses of weight in a workout are really losses of water. If you weigh yourself before and after a workout, remember that for each pound of weight lost you will need 16-20 ounces of fluids reintroduced to the body for recovery to take place. Have plenty of water after a workout. Keep in mind that when urine is concentrated it is darker, so it’s a good sign that you’ve got enough water if it is light colored.
Stay hydrated friends!
