The bright sun lit sky, the green growing grass, the fruit filled trees and the sounds of children's laughter on the streets are all signs of the approaching summer. This is the time to get tanned, sun bathe and relax as the sun shines gloriously above you. This season of longer days and shorter nights can enliven you and keep you more active and make you do things with tremendous gusto and passion. Well in doing all of this, there is one thing that you need to be careful of - your body hydration. Tiredness, weakness and illness can spoil your summer holiday, and a major cause for it is low levels of hydration.
What Actually Happens and How:
During summers the heat index of the atmosphere increases causing immense water loss in the body. The higher the heat index, the faster the body will lose its water content. You can easily check on the internet for the heat index of any place in case you are travelling there for the summers.
Water helps to maintain body temperature through the process of perspiration and it also keeps the body healthy. Here are a few tips to follow that will keep the heat from spoiling your vacation.
Time to be the Water boy:
Around 70% of the human body is made up of water and that make it an essential to the body. Thirst is an indication of dehydration, though this is a mild symptom. Therefore, drinking water only when you are thirsty is not the best idea in such circumstances. Under normal circumstances, research shows that 75-80% of people are constantly dehydrated and this number is even higher in the summers. Water from the body is lost through various means such as breathing, sweating and excretion and it averages around 12 cups a day. If that's the amount being lost, you obviously need a higher supply. In the summers the loss of water is even greater and therefore drinking water at regular intervals is necessary.
Some people believe that swimming can keep the body hydrated and therefore water intake can be reduced. This is however a myth and in no way can swimming be a substitute for drinking water. In fact swimming will increase your need for water as you tend to feel more tired after the activity.
Electrolytes Help Charge you up:
Doing hours of intense activity in the sun like labor work, running, playing and so on will require more than just water to replenish your body. Electrolytes supply the body with essential minerals like calcium, sodium, magnesium and potassium that the body needs to function to its optimum. Electrolyte drinks as well as powders are easily available in the market and can be purchased and used without a doctor's prescription.
Vegetable and fruit juices are another rich sources of electrolytes that provide the body with essential minerals and Vitamins. Research has also substantiated the use of skimmed milk as an effective electrolyte.
Some Liquids are Best Avoided:
There are some liquids that are best avoided in summers. These include:
These drinks act as diuretics and drain the body of the existing liquids too. Extreme heat can be dangerous and fatal in many cases. It is important that you maintain your body temperature well and Stay hydrated and cool this summer.
Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.