Depending on where you live, it may or may not already feel like summer. Even though we’re all supposed to be drinking water year-round, it’s extremely important during the hot, summer months. Lots of people don’t realize that every day symptoms like headaches, exhaustion, poor concentration, joint pain, wrinkly skin, and a weak immune system can be caused by dehydration. Dr. Nishant Rao of wellwire.com lists these health benefits of staying hydrated:
- Better concentration and ability to focus
- Higher energy levels, less fatigue, and improved mood
- Fewer headaches
- Improvement in low back pain
- Improvement in joint and arthritic pain
- Improved immune system– less colds, sore throats, flu and sinus infections
- Reduction in kidney stones
- Improved cardiovascular symptoms, lowered cholesterol, reduced blood pressure
- Relief from constipation and more regular bowel movements
Alright, so you’re drinking water. But why is it so important in the summer? Well, when you’re sweating in the heat or humid weather, it’s your body’s way of telling you that you need to cool down. Therefore, it’s important to take in additional fluids to replenish the water lost. Somewhere between 3rd and 4th grade, we learned that our bodies are made up of almost 60% water. It’s no surprise then that when we start to lose water, it’s difficult for our bodies to function properly.
Still not convinced you should be staying hydrated this summer? Health.com lists some (more superficial, if you will) benefits to drinking water:
- Makes hair healthier, smoother, and shinier
- Reduces under-eye inflammation
- Tightens skin and reduces wrinkles
- Helps correct skin complexion, acne, and other skin problems
- Conceals underlying fat cells for smoother, less dimply skin
- Improves your sleep
- Helps you lose weight
The rule of thumb is to drink half of your body weight in ounces. So if you weigh 120 pounds, you’ll need to get an average of 60 ounces daily, which is about 8 8-ounce cups of water. This summer, remember that it’s essential to increase water intake with excessive sweating and exercise, especially on those hot, sunny days. If you’re an avid coffee (or any caffeinated beverage) drinker, drink up! Those types of drinks dehydrate the body quicker as well.
How do you remember to stay hydrated? Share your tips with us @20sTweet!
~E
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