By Ashley Wilhoite, BSN, RN, Wellness Director
Yay for summertime and sunshine! While you’re out enjoying every minute of it, remember that drinking water is always essential for good health…but especially during the summer months. Our bodies lose so much water when we are active in higher degree temperatures.
There are multiple benefits to staying hydrated. Did you know proper water intake is necessary for your skin to have a healthy glow? But water also has multi-faceted benefits for the body as a whole. Drinking enough water each day is crucial for regulating body temperature, preventing infections, delivering nutrients to cells, keeping organs functioning properly, and promoting gastrointestinal regularity. Being well hydrated also improves sleep quality, mental cognition, and mood. And what do all of these things have in common? You got it – wellness!
How do you know if you’re dehydrated? Does your skin feel dry, irritated, itchy, or sensitive? That’s a clear sign of dehydration right there. Are you experiencing a headache or feeling dizzy or tired? Those are signs, too. In addition, muscle cramps, rapid breathing, minimal urination, or very dark yellow urine are typically more advanced signs of dehydration. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, the simple solution is to get out of the heat and drink plenty of liquids.
If you’re not a fan of water, True Lemon® is an excellent option to mix with your water to give it a little flavor. We like the True Lemon brand because it’s gluten free, vegan, low calorie, non-GMO, contains no artificial preservatives or sweeteners, and is made from real citrus and natural flavors. It can usually be found at most grocery stores or purchased online.
If you’re not sure how much water you should be consuming, just remember to drink half of your weight in ounces per day. For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, you should drink 75 ounces of water per day.
So drink up and stay hydrated all summer long, friends!
