Thursday, July 12, 2018

Tips on Staying Hydrated


The following is excerpted from the Occupational Athletics (OAI) monthly “Partners in Prevention” newsletter.  
  • Eat water-filled foods such as tomatoes (94% water), watermelon (93% water), spinach, (92 %) red cabbage (92%) Strawberries (92 %), Grapefruit (91%), Cantaloupe (90%), Peaches (89 %), Raspberries (87%), Pineapples (87 %), Apricots (86%), Blueberries (85%), and Carrots (87%).
  • Hydrate before, during, and after exercising. Once you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated.
  • Have enough water on hand for whatever you are doing.  If you are away from home: camping, hiking, biking, etc., make sure you have enough to last the whole time you are away.  
  • If you're traveling, don't forget to drink plenty of water, especially if you are traveling by plane.  Humidity on a plane is low, so staying hydrated allows you to maintain that mucosal lining, which in turn, prevents your immune system from becoming compromised, so drink before, during, and after your flight. *Tip – Bring bottled water.  Tap water from the plane isn’t your best option.
  • Stay hydrated at work. Even when working indoors, it's important to drink.  Keep a bottle of water within arms’ reach, and sip regularly throughout the day.
  • Drink water before meals to help you stay hydrated AND with the added bonus of helping you not to overeat.  (Note: many times we think we are hungry, when in fact, we need to hydrate.)
  • Make it a point to drink a glass of water when you wake and before bed.
  • Have enough water on hand. When you're spending the day camping or biking, it's important to bring enough water to last the trip.
  • Keep a reusable bottle with you. Having a water bottle with you at all times is the easiest way to stay hydrated without even thinking about it.  Make your water even more inviting (and easy to find) by getting a bottle or two that are colorful and fun to look at.
  • If you are drinking alcohol, always pair it with a glass of water to offset its dehydrating effects.

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