Are you taking time to hydrate this summer? It’s the season for hot weather, outdoor play and dreams of cold swimming pools to wash away the summer heat. Most of us are spending time outdoors throughout these long summer months, but if you forget to hydrate, the effects can be detrimental to your weight and health. Are you drinking enough water to stay hydrated?

Why You Should Hydrate

Your body depends on water to survive. Staying hydrated helps your cells, tissues and organs function properly. For example, water helps your body to function in some of the following ways:

• Keeps joints lubricated which decreases pain
• Delivers oxygen throughout the body
• Improves skin health and elasticity
• Regulates overall body temperature
• Improves digestive health and eliminates waste
• Maintains healthy blood pressure
• Aids in brain function and cognitive ability
• Makes minerals and nutrients accessible
• Improves energy levels and boosts exercise performance
• Aids in weight-loss and weight maintenance

Staying hydrated is key to living a life of health and wellness and to perform at your best every single day. Many health experts recommend individuals drink 70 – 120 fl. oz. of water each day, but that number depends on a number of different factors including weight, activity level and pre-existing health conditions. If you are trying to manage your weight, it is especially important for you to pay attention to your water intake as you are likely increasing your physical activity levels and water is integral to weight-loss and weight maintenance.

Tips for Healthy Hydration

Concerned you’re not drinking enough water each day? Is better hydration on your list of improved health and wellness goals? Consider these tips for staying hydrated:

• Get App Reminders – Plenty of cellphone apps serve as reminders to drink fluid throughout the day. They work by giving you a notification when it’s time to drink or by tracking your daily water intake so you reach your goal. Two great examples of water-tracking apps include Plant Nanny and Hydro Coach.
• Check Your Urine – This is an easy, no-fuss way to monitor your hydration levels. When you are drinking enough water to stay properly hydrated, the color of your urine should be a pale yellow or clear color. Dark yellow, orange or brown urine indicates you need to drink more water or address an underlying health concern.
• Keep a Water Bottle On-hand – You should be drinking water at regular intervals throughout the day. To help you achieve this, keep a designated water bottle on-hand at all times that is easily refillable. If you’re one to forget to drink or leave plastic bottles of water laying around, consider a decorative upscale bottle to make drinking fun.
• Choose Hydrating Foods – Drinking water isn’t the only way to stay hydrated. Consider fruits and vegetables with high water content such as melon, tomatoes, strawberries and oranges.
• Flavor Your Water – If regular drinking water seems a bit bland to you, consider dressing it up with water additives such as zero or low-calorie sweeteners. You can also infuse your water with pieces of lime, lemon, water or strawberries.

Want more information about hydration and its role in weight management? For additional tips, advice and more, CLICK HERE to visit a previous Your Weight Matters Blog post.