Stay Healthy This Summer… Stay Hydrated This Summer

During the summertime months it's not unusual for most of us to enjoy the outdoors and be more active. But, whether we're gardening, swimming, walking or playing sports, we must remember that it's essential to consume ample amounts of water to ward off various health risks associated with the heat. There's no if's and's or but's about it; if we don't keep our bodies properly hydrated, then we can open ourselves up to detrimental conditions such as:

• Fatigued muscles / Muscle cramps
• Reduced coordination
• Heat exhaustion
• Heatstroke

Signs of Dehydration

According to The American College of Sports Medicine, you can assess your level of hydration by taking note of both your urine output and the color of your urine. It should be frequent and pale yellow. If you are not going often enough, or your urine is dark yellow in color, this can mean that you are dehydrated. Other symptoms of insufficient hydration include:

• Dry mouth
• Dizziness
• Sunken eyes
• Lethargy
• Increased heart rate
• Irritability

H2O Benefits

Dehydration does not discriminate when it comes to age, but as we grow older, our bodies are less able to regulate temperatures, and drinking more water becomes that much more important. But, regardless of your age group, water has so many restorative powers, it's a no-brainer that consumption should be ample and continuous so you can enjoy its benefits such as:

• Helps to restore any water or sodium loss from perspiration
• Helps regulate body temperature
• Can assist with weight loss
• Promotes better skin tone
• Assists with liver and kidney function