Did you know that over 60% of our bodies are made up of water? Drinking an ice-cold glass of water on a hot summer day is easy, satisfying to quench your thirst, and even becomes something that we crave. It becomes increasingly more challenging to drink water when the temperatures outdoors are slowly getting colder and colder as each day progresses. A cold beverage may be the last thing on your mind, but rest assured it shouldn’t be. Staying hydrated during the winter months is a crucial component to maintaining a healthy lifestyle all year round.
There are several reasons why drinking more water, despite what the temperature is outside, is essential. In the colder weather, it’s harder to notice when your body is sweating. Perspiration combined with the extra layers of clothing and drier air can cause our bodies to become dehydrated without us even noticing. Drinking water and staying hydrated can also help you stay warmer in the winter months. Your body uses water to help maintain a temperature balance. When you aren’t adequately hydrated, your body can become cold.
Your body needs water to function correctly. Water helps you stay hydrated, plumpens your skin, regulates your body temperature, and is a critical element to the function of your organs, cells and tissues. It can also increase your metabolism and help you feel full longer between meals so you won’t be inclined to snack as often.
Staying hydrated through the winter can boost your immune system and give your body the support it needs to fight off infection. It helps prevent you from getting sick during the harsh flu seasons and COVID-19 pandemic.
How Much Water Should I Drink?
We all have heard from several sources why drinking water and maintaining hydration is essential. Still, many of us don’t take action. The amount of water you drink definitely depends on your body weight and your overall physical activity level. An athlete who trains often would definitely require more water and probably be more thirsty than someone who lives a more sedentary lifestyle. The overall guideline is to drink at least half of your body weight in ounces of water each day (adjusting where needed for your level of physical activity). For example: if you weigh 150 lbs, you should be aiming to drink 75 ounces per day. Most glasses of water average around 8 ounces, meaning 75 ounces of water translates to 9 glasses a day!
Ways To Drink More Water
Now that we have established how important it is to consume water, here are a few suggestions of how we can incorporate this into our daily living:
Warm Beverages Count
Try making tea more often, or even boiling water and adding lemon to it for flavor. Having a warm drink on a cold day will keep you cozy and refreshed while still working towards your hydration goals. Herbal teas are better for your hydration intake, as caffeinated teas can encourage dehydration (which is the opposite of what you want).
Eat your Water Intake
Snacking on fruits and vegetables that have a high water content can also help you reach your goals. Of course, you should not replace drinking water with eating vegetables, but it can definitely help you along the way.
Avoid Alcohol and Caffeine
Both alcohol and caffeine can make you even more dehydrated. Limit your soda intake. Coffee and alcohol can assist with staying hydrated. Caffeinated teas should also be consumed sparingly.
Infuse Your Water
Water can taste bland, but if you infuse it with lemon or even ginger and basil overnight, your water will have a distinct flavor to it. Leaving a slice of lemon in your glass while you refill it throughout the day will add that pop to your drink! Placing loose leaf tea into cold water overnight can also be quite delicious.
What are your favorite ways to make sure that you are staying hydrated throughout the year?
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Did you know that over 60% of our bodies are made up of water? Drinking an ice-cold glass of water on a hot summer day is easy, satisfying to quench your thirst, and even becomes something that we crave. It becomes increasingly more challenging to drink water when the temperatures outdoors are slowly getting colder and colder as each day progresses. A cold beverage may be the last thing on your mind, but rest assured it shouldn’t be. Staying hydrated during the winter months is a crucial component to maintaining a healthy lifestyle all year round.
There are several reasons why drinking more water, despite what the temperature is outside, is essential. In the colder weather, it’s harder to notice when your body is sweating. Perspiration combined with the extra layers of clothing and drier air can cause our bodies to become dehydrated without us even noticing. Drinking water and staying hydrated can also help you stay warmer in the winter months. Your body uses water to help maintain a temperature balance. When you aren’t adequately hydrated, your body can become cold.
Your body needs water to function correctly. Water helps you stay hydrated, plumpens your skin, regulates your body temperature, and is a critical element to the function of your organs, cells and tissues. It can also increase your metabolism and help you feel full longer between meals so you won’t be inclined to snack as often.
Staying hydrated through the winter can boost your immune system and give your body the support it needs to fight off infection. It helps prevent you from getting sick during the harsh flu seasons and COVID-19 pandemic.
How Much Water Should I Drink?
We all have heard from several sources why drinking water and maintaining hydration is essential. Still, many of us don’t take action. The amount of water you drink definitely depends on your body weight and your overall physical activity level. An athlete who trains often would definitely require more water and probably be more thirsty than someone who lives a more sedentary lifestyle. The overall guideline is to drink at least half of your body weight in ounces of water each day (adjusting where needed for your level of physical activity). For example: if you weigh 150 lbs, you should be aiming to drink 75 ounces per day. Most glasses of water average around 8 ounces, meaning 75 ounces of water translates to 9 glasses a day!
Ways To Drink More Water
Now that we have established how important it is to consume water, here are a few suggestions of how we can incorporate this into our daily living:
Warm Beverages Count
Try making tea more often, or even boiling water and adding lemon to it for flavor. Having a warm drink on a cold day will keep you cozy and refreshed while still working towards your hydration goals. Herbal teas are better for your hydration intake, as caffeinated teas can encourage dehydration (which is the opposite of what you want).
Eat your Water Intake
Snacking on fruits and vegetables that have a high water content can also help you reach your goals. Of course, you should not replace drinking water with eating vegetables, but it can definitely help you along the way.
Avoid Alcohol and Caffeine
Both alcohol and caffeine can make you even more dehydrated. Limit your soda intake. Coffee and alcohol can assist with staying hydrated. Caffeinated teas should also be consumed sparingly.
Infuse Your Water
Water can taste bland, but if you infuse it with lemon or even ginger and basil overnight, your water will have a distinct flavor to it. Leaving a slice of lemon in your glass while you refill it throughout the day will add that pop to your drink! Placing loose leaf tea into cold water overnight can also be quite delicious.
What are your favorite ways to make sure that you are staying hydrated throughout the year?
READ MORE: