Staying hydrated is essential to your overall well-being, and drinking plenty of water is a big part of it. Every May, the American Water Works Association celebrates the importance water plays in staying hydrated during Drinking Water Week. The movement is a way to teach and encourage communities on the benefits of drinking water. Proper hydration offers many benefits to your health and the health of your skin.
The Importance of Staying Hydrated and Your Skin
All of your organs rely on proper hydration to work properly. It protects your organs, transports the nutrients you need throughout your body, and helps you stay on top of your game mentally and physically. When you don’t consume enough water throughout the day, you can start to experience adverse effects such as muscle cramps, tiredness, dry and itchy skin, dry mouth, and extreme thirst.
With the hottest months of the year just around the corner, we’ve put together a list of our top ten tips for staying hydrated.
1. Buy a reusable water bottle and carry it with you
Buying a reusable bottle that you carry with you everywhere increases the chances you will actually drink out of it. It also makes it easier for you to track how many bottles you consume in a day.
2. Drink a glass of water as soon as you wake up
You spend six to eight hours asleep every night, and during that time, you don’t drink any water to stay hydrated. When you wake up your body needs hydration. Drinking a 16-ounce glass of water as soon as you get out of bed boosts your metabolism and rehydrates your body.
3. Drink a glass of water before every meal
If you struggle with a consistent intake of water, try drinking a glass of water before every meal. Not only will this make sure you are staying hydrated, but it may even make you feel less hungry and can help with weight loss attempts.
4. Build flavors
Not everybody can handle the tasteless offering of water. A great way to learn to enjoy drinking water is by building flavors with infusion. Add cucumbers, strawberries, oranges, lemons, and limes to create unique flavors that are a little more enjoyable.
5. Create a water schedule
If the idea of drinking 64 ounces of water everyday frightens you, create a plan to make it happen. Break down the number of ounces you plan on drinking by certain times throughout your day and track your progress.
6. Eat foods high in water content
A shortcut to staying hydrated is by eating foods higher in water content. Grapefruit, cucumbers, and peppers all consist of at least 90% water.
7. Drink a glass of water before bed
Since you won’t be drinking water for eight hours, it makes sense to “fuel up” before going to sleep. Drink 16 ounces of water every night before bed to improve hydration.
8. Don’t pay for drinks at restaurants
Next time you go out to eat, skip ordering an iced tea or soft drink and ask for water instead. Not only will you be on point for proper hydration, you’ll save a few dollars too.
9. Use an app
There are plenty of mobile apps available that let you input and track you water intake throughout the day. You can even set a reminder to notify you when it’s time to take a sip of your water.
10. Hold yourself accountable
If you continue to struggle with staying hydrated, try alternate methods to hold yourself accountable. Look for a drinking buddy that can help keep you on point by checking in daily or start the day with eight rubber bands on your wrist and remove one for every eight ounces of water you drink throughout the day.
Staying hydrated is a simple way to help care for your skin. If you are looking for other creative ways to stay hydrated or methods of skin care to keep you looking your best, contact Windsor Dermatology today to set up an appointment.
