Summer is here and that means spending more time in the sun and taking advantage of the warm weather. Whether you enjoy time outdoors soaking up the rays while reading or taking a walk around the neighborhood, being outside offers plenty of health benefits.
Aside from the numerous health benefits of spending time outside, like an increase in vitamin D and a boost of energy, there are a few consequences we also have to be mindful of. One result could be dehydration.
Dehydration occurs when you use or lose more fluid in your body than you take in, and your body doesn’t have the proper fluid levels to carry out normal functions. While staying hydrated is important for overall health at any point in our lives, older adults are more likely to become dehydrated and have a more negative outcome.
Thankfully, there are tips and tricks for you to use to stay hydrated and enjoy your summer days in a healthy way.
3 Hydration Tips for the Summer
- Drink plenty of fluids. While this may seem to be an obvious solution, drinking plenty of fluids is an important tip to keep in mind when ensuring proper hydration. One way you can do this is to carry a water bottle or cup with you to sip on throughout the day. Water is an excellent choice to keep you hydrated, but you can also switch it up to include milk, juice or flavored water. You may be asking yourself, how much fluid should I drink during the day? Well, it depends on your body’s needs and activity level. Although the general recommendation is to drink eight glasses worth of water a day, you may want to discuss with your healthcare provider what would be best for you.
- Eat fruits and vegetables. Drinking fluids may be the fastest way to hydrate your body, but adding fruits and vegetables to your diet also helps to increase your fluid levels. Numerous types of produce are considered fluid-rich, meaning they contain larger amounts of water and helps hydration levels. Hydrating foods include cucumbers, watermelon, pineapple, celery and blueberries.
- Learn the signs of dehydration. By learning the early signs of dehydration, you’re able to increase fluid intake before any serious effects can start to take place. Although every person’s body is different and you may or may not experience some of these effects, the general signs of dehydration for adults include:
- Extreme thirst
- Less frequent urination
- Dark-colored urine
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Confusion
Learn How to Stay Hydrated and Other Wellness Tips at Springpoint
At Springpoint, our wellness program is designed with your specific health and wellness goals in mind. LivWell is a holistic wellness program that offers the opportunity for residents to participate in activities, amenities and services that help them to become their healthiest self. LivWell is all about choice – we simply help guide you to the things you are looking for to improve your personal definition of wellness.
To learn more about the LivWell program and how we can help you along your wellness journey, contact our expert team today.
