THE FINE ART OF STAYING HYDRATED

Yes, we can all feel the mercury rising, and it’s already difficult to step out during certain times of the day.

Soaring temperatures during the hot summer months keep us seeking hydration. It pays to know, while we drink water, that there is a way to do it. The secret lies in sipping – not gulping.

Everyone needs water to stay alive, and drinking adequate quantities of this life-giving fluid is especially necessary for summer.

Medical experts recommend sipping water slowly, two to three ounces at a time throughout the day, rather than waiting till you’re totally parched and gulping down a glassful of water in one go. If you drink too fast, you risk diluting your blood, which may cause faster excretion of water by the kidneys, thereby slowing down the hydration process. In summer, dehydration is serious and can lead to heat stroke, so you need to be mindful of your fluid intake.

If you’re someone who doesn’t like sipping water, then sip iced tea or fresh fruit juice. However, if you’re diabetic or a weight watcher, then you might need to look at how much sugar you are taking in. Water is safe, health-promoting, and exactly what your body requires.

Here are some tips to stay hydrated:

• Keep a bottle with you at all times and take frequent sips from it.
• Add a slice of lemon or orange to the water to flavor it, if you find water too boring to drink.
• Drink water before, during and after a workout.
• When you experience hunger pangs, drink water before you reach for a snack, as thirst is often confused with hunger.
• Weight watchers may be happy to know that drinking water (sipping, not gulping) helps you feel full.
• Drink water the moment you wake up, at all mealtimes, and before you go to bed.

Have a happy, healthy, hydrated summer!