Sipping Into Summer: Boosting Your Hydration

For most of us here in the U.S., summer has officially commenced. Along with it, you’ll likely read the same jargon about recommended glasses of water, pictured next to a thin, white bikini-donning model on the cover of Women’s Health or other diet-influencing magazines. Staying hydrated is vital for our overall health and wellness, however it's not just about guzzling down liters of water every day. Hydration is about balance and ensuring our bodies have what they need to function optimally. 

Water makes up around 60% of our body weight and is involved in numerous bodily functions. During the summer months, our bodies lose more water through sweat as they work harder to keep us cool. Without adequate hydration, we might experience a range of symptoms, from mild headaches and fatigue to more severe issues like heatstroke.

While dehydration primarily affects the body's fluid balance, it can also have an impact on mental health. Studies have shown that even mild dehydration can affect cognitive function, mood, and overall well-being. Dehydration may lead to increased fatigue, decreased alertness, impaired concentration, and a generally negative impact on mental performance.

For those on the path of healing their relationship with food, hydration becomes even more crucial.

For those on the path of healing their relationship with food, hydration becomes even more crucial. Restriction, purging, and chronic dieting can all lead to dehydration. This impacts the body's ability to regulate temperature, thus slowing down metabolism and causing other physical & mental health issues. Dehydration can also be a contributing factor to digestive issues such as constipation and diarrhea. Ensuring you're adequately hydrated can support your recovery journey and overall health.

Every body is unique, and so are its hydration needs. While the '8 glasses a day' rule is a good starting point, your body might require more or less depending on various factors like age, sex, weight, physical activity, and health conditions. Learn to listen to your body's signals. Feeling thirsty, experiencing dry mouth, or darker urine can all be signs of dehydration.

Diet culture can often guilt us into thinking only water is beneficial for hydration, while there are numerous other options to assist with hydration. Some other hydration options to consider are sparkling water, fruit-infused water, Gatorade/Powerade, herbal teas, flavored beverages like Bai or ICE, kombucha, freezer pops, Jello, smoothies, or homemade frozen fruit pops! Unfortunately, that iced coffee in the morning and other caffeinated beverages do not count towards our hydration goals and can actually have the opposite effect. Those with an elderly loved one who struggles with hydration can try Jelly Drops! Many foods can also help with hydration like watermelon, cucumber, oranges, and strawberries. Remember, it's not about forcing yourself to drink liquids you don't enjoy, rather finding what works for you.

Hydration is essential, especially during the summer months. It supports our physical health, mental well-being, and for those healing their relationship with food, it plays a crucial role. But hydration is not a one-size-fits-all concept. It's about listening to your body, exploring a variety of hydrating liquids and foods, and treating your body with the kindness it deserves. So, let's raise a glass (of water, herbal tea, or fruit-infused delight) to a hydrated and healthy summer!

To learn more about your individualized hydration and nutrition needs, book an appointment with one of our dietitians.