As the Oklahoma summer heats up, adequate hydration is of the utmost importance. Did you know your body is 60% water?! In order to keep that level maintained, H20 is crucial. Not only does water help keep you cool, but it also keeps your organs pumping, wards off infections, transports nutrients to cells, and even improves your mood and sleep (and let’s be honest who doesn’t want to be in a good mood and sleep better). This, in turn, can boost your cognition and your way of processing and obtaining knowledge.
How much?
You might be wondering, “How much water should I be drinking?”. The recommended amount is 11 cups per day for women and 16 cups for men. If you’re working outside in the heat you should be drinking 1 cup (8oz) of water every 15-20 minutes. This is about ¾ – 1 quart every hour. This is also important for athletes to keep in mind while practicing outside this summer, especially when the heat index rises above 100 degrees.
We should constantly be hydrating! Waiting until you feel “thirsty” to drink can indicate that you’ve already lost 1-2 cups of water! Our bodies lose water while sleeping, so be sure to drink water before going to bed and again when you wake up.
You might be thinking, “This is a lot of water to drink every single day”, but it doesn’t have to be plain water. Add some flavor by including fruits or vegetables like lemons, berries, orange slices, or cucumbers! With that being said, you should keep in mind that sodas, fruit juices, energy drinks, and even vitamin waters are packed with sugar. You should try to stay away from these. Checking the labels of sports drinks is a great way to ensure there are no unwanted added sugars.
Have a great summer and remember to drink H20 to avoid dehydration!
– Gabby Tucker, PTA