Beat the Heat with Hydration Strategies to Keep You Cool
Stocked trunk: In Vegas, I kept cases of bottled water and sports drinks in my car trunk at all times for when I was on the move. I'd grab a bottle or two before heading into work or the gym. It may have been on the warm side, but I always had liquid available for when I forgot to pack some or for when picnics lasted longer than expected. The sports drinks especially helped me feel safe if the draining heat started to make me feel woozy, as they provide electrolytes that help stave off more serious dehydration.Empty bottles: How can an empty bottle help keep you hydrated, you ask? As a cash-strapped college student, I ended up in the campus infirmary more than once feeling faint, only to learn I was mildly dehydrated. My work-study employers gifted me a trendy screw-top plastic water bottle, which I could fill for free at the dorm water fountain. I still use it today, though many now prefer trendy stainless steel bottles. Either way, they're ideal for traveling via air: Pack an empty bottle in your carry on and then fill it from the water fountains on the other side of security to avoid paying the premium for airport drinks.
Fountain drinks: Everyone knows you can buy huge sodas from convenience stores for next to nothing, but many stores offer even better deals that will keep your thirst quenched as you shop. Target and Costco cafés, for example, offer super-cheap fountain drinks that you can refill throughout your shopping trip. Keep your eyes peeled for these deals as you're out to make errands more pleasant.
Iced tea: Sun tea is a summer classic. My mom would fill a big, clear pitcher with water, add a few tea bags, cover, and then let the whole thing steep on the deck for a few hours. The sun warms the water, helping the tea infuse throughout the pitcher. Just chill the brewed tea and you're ready for summer refreshment. If you prefer your tea sweetened, stir in some honey or simple syrup (equal parts water and sugar, heated until dissolved, then cooled). Bonus: Next to water, iced tea is one of the least expensive beverages around.
Follow these tips, and you'll more easily stay hydrated throughout the summer. Remember, whether your weather is 110 with baking winds or 88 with sticky shirts, nothing cools you like a tall, chilled beverage.
- Hints of flavor and easy availability help make it easier to drink all the water your body needs.
- Staying hydrated doesn't have to cost a lot: Buying drinks in bulk or at fountains saves cash.
- Sticking to unsweetened or lightly sweetened drinks will keep calories from adding up.
Comments
That's true, you can drink too much water. I remember the story of a woman who drank too much water to win a radio station's contest and also died from it. Water intoxication, or hyper-hydration, is very unlikely to happen for most people who simply drink when they are thirsty. However, if you're a serious endurance athlete or have a sickness that causes severe dehydration, it's best to drink fluids with electrolytes, not straight water, to avoid the problem. Thanks for the comments!
Great article.
It is possible to drink TOO MUCH water. I remember a story about a young football player who drank 2 gallons of water in one day and ended up passing away in the hospital because he was over-hydrated. Everything in moderation!
Great advuse, especially for the heat in Las Vegas.
Thanks for the tips. I experienced the same thing you describe when I moved from MI to AZ. All I could do was laugh the first time I got off the plane, it was like a bad joke. Staying hydrated is important!
This is so timely! The heat and humidity have been terrible here.
Great tips on staying hydrated!
(continued...) Thanks for your comments!
(continued...) Soda in particular is not inherently dehydrating, though I'm guessing you're referring to caffeinated sodas like regular cola. Caffeine is reported to be mildly diuretic, and it could affect you from any caffeinated beverage (such as coffee, tea, chocolate drinks, and energy drinks). However, I don't believe that the effect is significant enough to counteract the benefits of taking in the liquid if you are mildly thirsty or dehydrated.
You are 100% correct that people who have serious dehydration or who are suffering from an illness that causes dehydration should seek different beverages than the ones I suggested. If that is the case for anyone, the best course of action is to consult with a doctor, especially since if the dehydration is serious enough you may need hospitalization. My article is intended instead for people looking to quench their normal, everyday thirst and mild dehydration in the summer, when heat makes us crave a little extra liquid. Thanks for your
I am not a nutritionist, so you can take my comment in response here with a grain of salt (an electrolyte!). Non-sports drink soft drinks, whether they be soda, juice, or water, are perfectly fine for quenching a regular person's thirst on a hot day. While extreme temperatures, heavy exercise, and significant dehydration merit beverages enhanced with electrolytes, such as sports drinks and Pedialyte, most of us do not reach the point where they are necessary in the course of an average summer day. What the average person needs is plenty of water, and all soft drinks are water-based. Which one you choose for regular, mild thirst or dehydration is going to depend on taste (some may prefer the flavor of juice or flavored waters), calorie count (some may want to stick with nearly calorie-free lemon water or iced tea if they're watching their weight), and what's convenient (for many, that means soda fountains, many of which do offer a sports drink option, actually). Soda in particular is no
Sorry, about my earlier post, I do see you wrote about sports drinks, I missed that part, I was just irritated that you would advise soft drinks on a hot day. Those are dehydrating and I would never drink those in such a circumstance.
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