These days, social distancing keeps most of us inside for hours at a time. Even though many people will spend more of their hot summer days indoors than normal, it is still incredibly important to stay hydrated. As American Water continues to work hard to keep safe, clean drinking water flowing through your tap, we want to make sure you have all the information you need to keep yourself healthy and hydrated — whether inside or outside — as the temperatures rise. Below are some tips for this summer:
- Never go to bed dehydrated. Your body loses water while you sleep, so try to drink about 8 oz of water before you go to bed and another 8 when you wake up.
- Don’t let yourself get thirsty. Drink before you feel thirsty! Thirst is a sign that you may already be at least slightly dehydrated.
- Don’t stray too far from a personal source of water. Keep a cup or reusable bottle of water with you at all times. Whether you’re heading to the beach or watching a movie indoors, drinking ample amounts of water is good for your health; having a physical reminder, in the form of a cup or bottle, helps.
- It’s not just for beating the heat. Keep up good hydration habits even when you aren’t outdoors in the heat. When the AC is blasting, you may feel less inclined to drink water, but that would be a mistake. Proper hydration is always important.
- A good workout is a fully hydrated workout. Get hydrated BEFORE you work out. In the hours leading up to physical exercise, try to drink 15 to 20 oz of water and another 8 to 10 oz 10-20 minutes prior to beginning. Drink water consistently throughout your workout. Every 15 minutes, try to drink about 8 oz. And, finally, hydrate after you work out. It’s best if you drink 15 to 30 oz within one hour of exercising.
- There’s nothing like water. When it comes to hydration, there’s no equivalent substitute to water. While sports drinks, juices, coffees and teas all contain fluids that can help, experts agree that plain water is best for staying hydrated.
At American Water, we work hard to provide you with the water you need. No matter what your summer may look like, make sure you are factoring in your water intake and hydration.