Like it or not, the heat of the sunlight will always strike on us no matter what. All the more during the summer season!
The long, sunny days and windy evenings of summer lure us to the outdoor activities. Trekking, swimming, and water activities are indeed the things you will explore so severely.
Strolling along the seashores while enjoying the surf or exploring hiking trails has become the favorite pastime for many.
However, summer likewise brings heat waves, and the rush of outrageous weather, especially in the first part of summer, is a potent reminder to stay hydrated throughout the summer months.
The Centers for Disease Control indicates that extreme heat caused 7,415 fatalities between 1999 and 2010.
The best way to remain safe this summer?
Staying hydrated. How can one stay hydrated? Indicated below are the methods and keys to staying hydrated. But before that, how much water do you need in your body?
How Much Water Do You Need?
According to doctors, there is no standard for daily water intake. The amount you should drink depends on your body, health conditions, medications, and other factors.
Certain conditions like thyroid disease or kidney, liver, or heart issues make it practicable for specific individuals to have much water. At the same time, a few antidepressants and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) cause individuals to retain water.
No standard requirement for how much plain water adults and children should drink daily. However, there are overall recommendations for both men and women.
One rule of thumb is that men should consume an average of 3.7 liters of water daily, while women should drink around 2.7 liters.
You can divide your body weight in pounds by two and drink that number of ounces every day. In any case, drinking water should be an essential part of your daily routine, not something you must make a special effort to do.
How To Stay Hydrated During Summer Heat
Hydration is a significant issue, yet it's not as straightforward as drinking a specific amount of water.
The customary way of thinking says you should drink six to eight-ounce glasses of water each day.
However, that is just a general rule. You lose roughly 10 cups of water daily through basic bodily activities, including perspiring and urination, and you ought to drink enough liquids to restore the fluid you're losing.
Here are the key ways to stay hydrated, particularly during summer.
Drink lots of water, and have it in a big water bottle.
Drinking a lot of water is the best method to stay hydrated during the streaking of summer. Ensure to drink more water than usual and plan regular "water breaks" during the day.
Moreover, it is always best to know how much water you need. The elderly and individuals with diabetes or heart illness may require more water to stay hydrated than others. Discuss any special precautions to avoid dehydration with your primary care physician if you have a specific medical issue.
Know how much you sweat and replenish with water.
Sweat is how your body cools (know that it is not sweating that cools the body, evaporation of sweat.) The more you sweat, the more liquids you'll have to replenish.
It is not unusual for athletes or hikers to lose 5 pounds or more sweat during these activities. It's vital to drink water throughout these exercises. Your sweat rate, the humidity, and how long you've done such vigorous activities are all factors to consider. Proper hydration implies sufficient water before, during, and after these activities.
- Drink 17-20 oz. Two to three hours before you exercise.
- Drink 8 oz. 20-30 minutes before you exercise.
- Drink 7-10 oz. Every 10-20 minutes during exercise.
- Drink 8 oz. no more than 30 minutes after exercise.
Monitor your urine.
The color of your urine is a vital indicator of how much water you need. It tends to be a noticeable indication of dehydration. If you are hydrated enough, you should urinate once every two to four hours.
The urine ought to be light yellow and clear. Once it’s darker or amber color, you could have mild to severe dehydration. Different medications and health issues could influence this. If you're worried about the color of your urine, talk with your health provider.
Be aware of your alcohol, caffeine, and sugary drinks intake.
Believe it or not, few liquids act against hydration! Beer, wine, coffee, sugary sodas and hard alcohol, lemonade, sweet tea, energy drinks, smoothies, and flavored milk are mostly the guilty party. They are stacked with sugar, sodium, and other ingredients that eliminate water from your tissues.
A study by the University of Connecticut has shown that the body holds some of the hydrating liquid in caffeinated beverages. It shows that it doesn't have the hydrating advantages of water.
Consider substituting a portion of these every day or rehydrating with more water for each dehydrating drink you take.
Choose to eat fruits and vegetables that have high water content.
Did you realize that roughly 80% of the water admission comes from drinking water, and the other 20% comes from food?
Certain fruits are ideal for this, and eating them helps avoid some added substances usually found in juice drinks.
All whole fruits and vegetables contain water, but for optimal advantage, snack on cucumbers, celery, tomatoes, radishes, peppers, cauliflower, watermelon, spinach, strawberries, broccoli, and grapefruit. They all contain 90% water or more.
On average, an apple is 84% water, while melons and peaches contain 89% water.
This doesn't have any significant bearing on dried fruit.
Up the game of your plain water and infuse it with flavor.
If you don't drink water frequently, try infusing it with basic ingredients to add flavor. Limes, lemons, mint, oranges, berries, cucumbers, and other fruits improve the taste without artificial sugars or preservatives. This can also help you drink more water than you typically do.
You can likewise try coconut water. This mineral-rich liquid is loaded with potassium, magnesium, sodium, and calcium and rapidly recharges lost liquids and electrolytes from exercise and hot weather.
Have cereal or oatmeal for breakfast.
Breakfast is known to be the most important meal of the day. But it is a lot more when you start the day with a bowl of oats or cereal. Oats expand as they absorb water, giving you a decent meal and many liquids.
Adding blueberries or strawberries will settle the score with more water by eating your oats. Try not to put chia seeds in your oatmeal if you want a variation or don’t like fruits. They likewise absorb water and will aid with keeping you full until lunch.
When on flights, choose water.
Airports and flights can be very dehydrating. It's difficult to drink as much as you typically do when you're in a hurry for a summer getaway, and planes are known for having low-humidity air, contributing to low hydration at touchdown.
Pack an empty reusable water bottle in your portable suitcase and top it off after going through security. Avoid the airport vending machines and request water when the refreshment cart passes by mid-flight.
Probiotics can also keep your water intake.
Our bodies are home to good and bad bacteria. They're in our mouth, gut, and skin. Probiotics are living microorganisms found in yogurt and other cultured food varieties and supplements that can assist with working on your body's bacteria.
A probiotic can help strengthen the immune system, protect against disease, and improve the absorption and retention of food and supplements, including water. Probiotics likewise assist with a few conditions related to dehydration, including diarrhea.
How Can I Tell That I am Dehydrated?
The majority of the human body is made out of water. Indeed, however, 60% of an adult human is water. It's a fundamental life source responsible for important bodily functions, from crying and spitting to flushing waste and regulating body temperature. You would prefer not to get trapped in the heat without enough water in your system.
Dehydration sets in when your body needs more water. A portion of the indications of dehydration include:
- Dark yellow urine
- Lack of sweating
- Dry skin
- Rapid heart rate and breathing
- Dizziness
Final Thoughts
Staying hydrated and following the key tips above can help avoid intense heat-related diseases throughout the summer. It is vital to consume water. A practical option is to secure a water filtration system like the Berkey Water Filters.
Prevention is the main treatment for lack of hydration. Consuming many liquids and food varieties that have high water content (such as fruits and vegetables mentioned above) ought to be sufficient for many to prevent dehydration.
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