Bottoms Up
During the Summer, I’m focused on staying hydrated and healthy. As soon as the cooler months hit my mind wanders to cashmere scarves and weekend ski trips…not re-fueling with boring H2O. However, it’s important to stay hydrated even when you don’t actively sweat as much or feel the summer heat.
The amount of water each person should guzzle down depends on a few factors: health, activity level and surrounding climate. Instead of getting scientific, I try to use the 8 x8 rule: eight 8-ounce glasses of water/day (although this leads to A LOT of time in the bathroom for me). Also, when you have a headache or are feeling hungry, try to drink at least half a bottle of water before reaching for the Tylenol or something to eat. Many times, this is just your body’s way of telling you that you’re dehydrated and symptoms will clear within the next 15-20 minutes.
Keep in mind that some food and drinks can replenish and hydrate your body as well (think water dense fruit, not beer). Additionally, be careful (especially during endurance races or while playing sports) that you don’t drink too much water – very rare in healthy adults but a possible condition called hyponatremia (essentially drowning your kidneys).
