Fluid loss in winter can be just as high as it is during warmer, summer months. The cold weather can play havoc with the body, leaving skin dry and your body dehydrated. So, it’s super important to stay hydrated by eating and drinking the correct foods and drinks.
You may notice that you don’t feel as thirsty when it’s cold, but it’s vital that you keep taking on fluid to prevent nasty effects like headaches, muscle cramps and fatigue. Use our 5 smart strategies to help boost your fluid intake as we descend into the cold winter months.
1. Drink beverages at room temperature
If you’re feeling the cold, the last thing you’ll feel like doing is gulping down some ice-cold water. It’s thought that drinking warm or room temperature water can help your digestion and circulation but it’s probably more appetising if you’re feeling chilly already. However, drinking warmer water can dampen your thirst, so you will need to take sips of water continuously throughout the day to stay hydrated. Don’t forget we’ve made that easier than ever with our Hydratem8 tracker bottles.
2. Eat hydrating foods
It’s not just drinks that can keep you hydrated, there are plenty of foods with an increased water content that also keep your fluid levels boosted. Eating foods such as strawberries, melon, celery, oranges, and yoghurt is a great way to sneak some extra water into your daily diet. Plus, you can change up your lunchtime routine by ditching the boring, soggy sandwiches for a hearty homemade soup. Check out our recipes for our food pots for some seasonal inspiration.
3. Wear the correct clothes
Yes, you read that right. Layering your clothes with breathable fabric can help reduce the amount of water you lose when you sweat. Have you ever noticed that if you wear heavy woollens, you perspire more? Well, that means your body is also losing water and at risk of dehydrating. So, if you’re off out for a wintry walk then layer up with a base, middle and outer layer.
4. Replace what you lose
Remember, the more you sweat the more water you need to take in to replace what you’ve lost. You should keep yourself hydrated before, during and after exercising rather than waiting until you have finished and gulping large amounts of water. If you need to gulp lots of water, then your body is already flashing warning signs at you. Be sure to take your tracker bottle with you and continuously sip water during your workout and replace your water loss over a period of 2-6 hours afterwards. Don’t forget the colour of your pee will also give you a good indication of how much water you need.
5. Set fluid goals
Easy! Hydratem8 tracker bottles do this for you. Simply fill your bottle up first thing in the morning and use the targets printed on the bottle to help make sure you’re drinking enough throughout the day. Once you’ve reached the first target at 1pm, refill and start again. There’s no need for fancy apps or writing down how much you’ve drunk so far, using our tracker bottle you can monitor and improve your daily fluid intake and, in doing so, you will notice major positive advantages like healthier skin, a stronger immune system and better energy levels.
So, there’s no excuse for dehydration this winter with our handy tips you’ll be winning all the way. And you’ll be supercharging your defence system, too!
