As the summer gets hotter in many places across the country, staying hydrated is increasingly important — not just for your body, but for your mind too. While it’s widely known that dehydration can cause physical discomfort, its impact on cognitive function, mood and overall mental health is often overlooked.
Hydration’s Role in Cognitive Function and Mood Stability
Water helps your brain work properly. If you don’t drink enough, you might find it harder to concentrate, get irritated more easily and feel more stressed out. Even mild dehydration can make it harder to remember things, pay attention and make decisions. Keeping a glass of water or water bottle nearby can remind you to drink and help you stay calm and focused.
Fun Ways to Stay Hydrated
Drinking water doesn’t have to be boring. Here are some enjoyable and effective ways to stay hydrated:
- Add Fruit: Enhance the flavor of your water by adding slices of lemon, lime, cucumber or berries.
- Eat Water-Rich Foods: Foods like cucumbers, celery, watermelon and strawberries have a high water content.
- Herbal Iced Teas: Brew caffeine-free herbal teas like chamomile or peppermint, chill them and enjoy a cool drink.
- Keep a Pitcher Ready: Make a large pitcher of your favorite flavored water or iced tea and keep it in the refrigerator so it’s easy to grab.
- Drink Before Meals: Drinking water before eating can help you stay hydrated and might even help control your appetite.
- Use a Water App: There are apps that can help you track how much water you drink and remind you to drink more throughout the day.
- Flavor Cubes: Freeze juice from lemons, limes, oranges or even herbal water in ice trays and add them to your water for a quick flavor boost.
- Make Popsicles: You can make popsicles from fruit-infused water or smoothies. These are great on hot days and fun for both kids and adults.
Drinking Water Before Bed
It’s a good idea to drink a little water or a warm cup of caffeine-free herbal tea about an hour before bed. This can help you stay hydrated throughout the night and might even help you relax before falling asleep. Just don’t drink too much, or you might wake up in the middle of the night needing to go to the bathroom!
This summer, let’s remember that drinking water isn’t just for when you’re thirsty—it’s also key to keeping your mind sharp and your mood happy. By drinking enough water and finding fun ways to stay hydrated, you’ll help both your body and mind stay healthy. When you drink water, you’re taking care of your whole self, helping you stay sharp, strong and in a good mood.
By Cassie Story, RD, Nutrition Subject Matter Expert.
