Warmer weather is heating up across the country, and dehydration is at the top of everyone’s mind. We lug our heavy water bottles around, filling them up to the brim multiple times a day, hoping this simple liquid gives us the boost we need to power through the day. Not only that, but water also elevates our moods, promotes skin elasticity, and maintains a normal body temperature. We’re so here for that. But are there more efficient - and, let’s be honest, exciting - ways to help with H20 hydration?
We did a deep dive, and these are the tips we are sticking with this summer:
1. Think outside the bottle - Shocker: there are ways of elevating your water intake that does not include drinking it from a bottle. Fruits and vegetables, including watermelon, peaches, cucumbers, tomatoes, celery, and lettuce, are a fantastic source of hydration. The more vibrant colors on your plate, the better! You can also buy (or better yet, make!) vegetable broths as another way to get in some hydrating liquids.
2. Savor with flavor - Maybe plain ol’ water is just too boring for your tastebuds. No need to fret! An easy, convenient fix for this is adding some fruits, veggies, and herbs to your water to amplify the flavor. Now we’re doubling the hydration power! Utilize fruits such as lemons, limes, and oranges; veggies such as cucumbers and ginger; and herbs such as mint, basil, rosemary, and thyme to help give your water a little boost! Making a large pitcher of colorfully crafted water is a fabulous (and healthy!) way to add a little brightness and elegance to all your summer cookouts. Get creative and see what flavor combinations you can come up with!
3. Electrolyte it up - Summer is the time to get out there and enjoy an array of exercises like bike riding, hiking, swimming, surfing, beach volleyball, and tennis just to name a few. Problem is, your body can dehydrate even faster during these scorching months when engaging in any intense exercise. A great solution is to add electrolytes. According to EatingWell.com, “[electrolytes] help keep the amount of water in your body balanced, as well as maintain pH levels and help move nutrients in and out of cells.” If you are dispelling more fluid than you're putting in (i.e., sweating like a baddie!), you’ll become dehydrated, so it’s important to replenish the body with electrolytes to help rebalance. But fear not - sugary sports drinks aren’t the only way to get these mighty minerals into your system. Coconut water has a great source of electrolytes, is healthy, delicious, and the perfect way to switch up your water game. Not to mention all the extra benefits coconut water provides, like anti-aging and acne-fighting properties. Seems like a win win to us!
4. Drink smarter, not harder - Maybe it's not the act of drinking water that’s the problem, it’s remembering to do it! With today’s ever-evolving technology, there are apps and smart water bottles that will help you crush your daily drinking goals. Forget about tying a ribbon around your finger as a helpful reminder. These nifty, intuitive gadgets nudge you into drinking water with cool features. For example, the HidrateSpark PRO Smart Water Bottle has an LED smart sensor that glows as a reminder to take a sip. The bottle also tracks your water intake by syncing to their app, which helps keep your daily goal updated as you go about your day. We can always use little reminders, especially if it’s to stay consistently hydrated throughout the day, and these might just be the best way to do that.
We only touched on a few ways to stay hydrated this summer, but there are others that might be a better fit to your daily routine. The best thing you can do, no matter which method you choose, is to listen to your body and read the cues that it provides. Tiredness, fatigue, dry mouth, and dizziness are just a few symptoms of dehydration - and our summer plans just don’t allow for feeling less than perfect! Staying hydrated is super cute, so always check in with your water intake and make sure that you are getting enough liquids to combat the heat!
Here’s to sipping and snacking all summer long!