National Hydration Day on June 23 is the perfect reminder to stay hydrated as the summer temperatures continue to rise.
Staying hydrated is essential to maintaining good health although it is easily overlooked. Drinking water every day helps to maintain important biological processes that help us thrive like the regulation of body temperature and the delivery of nutrients to cells. As you move and work throughout the day, your body is constantly losing water and electrolytes. Drinking water helps to replenish the body’s water and electrolyte content while avoiding dehydration which can result in headaches, brain-fog and fatigue.
As well as its metabolic benefits, staying properly hydrated can improve other aspects of life. Drinking enough water has numerous benefits like improved sleep quality, increased energy production and weight loss. According to a 2016 study, adults who increased their water intake by only 1% consumed fewer calories and also had a lower overall intake of sugar, cholesterol, sodium and saturated fat
So how much water is enough water? The National Academies of Medicine recommends an average of 11 cups of water a day for the average woman and almost 16 cups of water a day for the average man. Here are some tips to make sure you are staying hydrated this summer:
Start Your Day Hydrated
One of the easiest ways to stay hydrated is by waking up with a large glass of water each morning. Simply start your day by drinking 16-ounces of water when you wake up or while you are making your morning coffee. Drinking water first thing in the morning can help increase your energy levels throughout the day. Likewise, a glass of water each morning can boost metabolism, fight toxins in the body and maintain a clear complexion.
Set a Reminder to Stay Hydrated
It can be difficult to remember to keep drinking water throughout the day. One easy way to remind yourself to stay hydrated is by carrying a water bottle with you, especially during the hot summer months. You can also set a reminder on your watch or phone that will help you remember to take a break to hydrate throughout the day.
Make Fruit-Infused Water
Maybe you want to focus on staying hydrated this summer, but you don’t enjoy the taste of water. If that’s the case, you should consider trying fruit-infused water! By infusing water with fruit, you get all of the hydration benefits as well as a sweeter beverage to enjoy throughout the day. Likewise, there are many benefits from the different fruits that you can use. For example, lemons help aid in digestion and are high in antioxidants. Try this strawberry basil lemon water to get started with fruit infused water:
5 basil leaves
1.5 cups strawberries
Half of a lemon
How to prepare:
Thinly slice lemon and strawberries. Then, add basil leaves, lemon and strawberries to your bottle or pitcher and fill with water. Place in the fridge for 4-8 hours to infuse.
