Whether you’re heading overseas this summer or exploring your local area, there are few things more exciting than travel. Getting away from it all and having a complete change of scenery — it’s one of the best ways to refresh and recharge yourself. Wherever you end up, though, don’t forget the importance of staying hydrated in the summer.
When the season heats up, you’re more likely to lose moisture through sweating, especially if you’re active. You need to balance that out by hydrating regularly and taking care of yourself in the summer sun.
The Importance of Hydration
Staying hydrated is important for so many reasons. As well as helping protect your immune system, regular fluid intake can:
• Elevate your mood
• Improve your skin quality
• Make your hair look and feel healthier
• Give you more energy
• Regulate your temperature
• Protect your internal organs and joints
• Ensure proper waste production and elimination
The last point might be unpleasant to think about, but trouble going to the bathroom can be a sign of dehydration. Dark, bad-smelling urine is another symptom. If you notice these signs, start drinking more fluids immediately.
The Best Drinks for Staying Hydrated in the Summer
There’s no doubt that the best drink for staying hydrated in the summer — or at any time of the year — is water. H2O is free of sugars, preservatives, and other additives that could have negative impacts on your health. You can make water more interesting by adding fruit or other natural flavorings. Some teas are also very hydrating, especially fruit infusions that are mostly water. If you’re staying in a hotel, you can usually ask for fruit or herbal teas, or caffeine-free alternatives that help you stay hydrated.
Milk and fruit juice can be hydrating, but they’re also high in calories and sugars. Milk contains fats and proteins, which take time to digest, potentially delaying the hydration benefits. Having access to fresh water when traveling is essential to beat the heat and avoid dehydration.
Take water with you when you start your journey. You never know when you might hit a traffic jam, plane delay, or just get slowed down in a crowded city space. Having your own fresh, filtered water that you’ve brought from home is a simple way to stay hydrated during the start of your trip. Top tips for traveling include:
• Invest in a home water filtration system, such as a tankless reverse osmosis system, to ensure you’ve always got fresh, safe water to fill your travel bottles with.
• Ensure every traveler has their own water bottle and somewhere to store it.
• Fill water bottles before you leave, but remember, you may need to empty them before going through security at an airport.
• Look out for free water refill stations at airports and other transit areas as they’re becoming more common.
• For long, local journeys, invest in double-size water bottles that can hold enough hydration for a few hours.
• When camping, consider filling a larger water cooler and packing it in your vehicle if you have space, so you know you have safe drinking water wherever you end up.
• Find out where the local, safe water sources are before you set up your tent or park your RV.
Knowing where your next drink is coming from removes stress and allows you to enjoy your well-earned vacation.
How Much Water Should You Drink in the Summer?
It’s important to know the right amount of water to drink per day, particularly when heat and outdoor activities can cause you to lose moisture faster. Officially, the advice is to ask your healthcare provider how much you should be drinking. Your weight, age, sex, and lifestyle could all impact your water needs.
Previously, it was widely believed that everyone needs eight glasses of water per day. However, this has been widely debunked. Some people need more, some need less. Someone who is breastfeeding, for example, needs much more than this.
If you eat plenty of fresh fruits and veggies, the volume of water you need could decrease. However, if you have a diet based on dried snacks and junk food, the opposite is true. In the summer, aim for at least a glass of water every hour. If you notice you feel thirsty, double that intake.
More Tips for Staying Hydrated This Summer
As well as drinking more, you can take the following steps to avoid dehydration:
• Monitor your physical activity: Don’t push yourself too hard, especially on hot days.
• Avoid overly salty foods: While some salt is good to replenish the minerals lost while sweating, too much salt can dry you out and make you very thirsty. The recommended amount of sodium (salt) is 2,300 mg per day, less if possible.
• Practice safe sun: Wear sunscreen and a hat, and take breaks from direct sunlight by seeking shade. Your skin will thank you.
• Always drink after physical activity: If you’ve hiked, biked, or gone for a swim, you need to drink water. Even if you don’t feel thirsty, you risk dehydration if you don’t replenish your body’s supply of moisture after exercise.
Summer is more fun when you’re safe, healthy, and hydrated. Learn more about the benefits of clean, fresh water by contacting Brio Water or browsing our range of water filters to find the right solution for your home.
