Keep Hydrated this Summer!

This past Sunday marked the first day of summer! Summer means going outside and enjoying the warm weather with friends and family. With all the fun the summer months can bring, it can also bring extreme heat. If you are outside for prolonged periods of time, it is so crucial to stay cool and hydrated.

Water is one of the most important elements that all living beings need. It is absolutely essential in biochemical reactions, maintaining blood circulation and body temperature, as well as supplying nutrients throughout the body. In fact, humans are made up of about 60% water. Without water, our bodies become dehydrated. Dehydration occurs when your body does not have enough water to carry out its normal functions. Common signs of dehydration include cramps, fatigue, and dizziness. It can even affect brain function. To avoid dehydration it is very important that your body gets enough water each and every day.

Extreme heat is known to speed up the process of dehydration. This is because warmer weather causes your body temperature to rise. In order for your body to main homeostasis, your body will begin to perspire to cool down. This makes you loose fluids and become dehydrated even faster. To counteract this, you should make sure drink plenty of water. According to doctors, there is no set amount of water you should be drinking. Everybody is different, which means the amount of water you need depends on your body. The rule of thumb here would be to drink the amount of water you feel you need on any given day.

During the summer heat, it is especially important to stay healthy and hydrated. You can do this by drinking plenty of water and noticing any signs of dehydration. If you find yourself outside in the hot weather, make sure to drink more water than usual. Your body may need it.

For more information on how to stay hydrated during the summer, click here.

Article written by William Graves.