Why You Need To Stay Hydrated…Even in Winter!

Most people take steps to stay hydrated when the weather is warm. During the summer, people drink water regularly in order to keep themselves feeling cool and refreshed. However, in the winter, this doesn’t always happen. Because the weather is much colder, a lot of people don’t concern themselves with staying hydrated during the winter. However, it’s important that you drink enough water all year round. Just because you’re not hot and sweaty, it doesn’t mean that you don’t have to drink water.

• A COMMON MISCONCEPTION: It’s a common misconception that you need less water in the winter than you do in the summer. Your body needs water in order to function and every single system and process in your body depends on. Water is your body’s principal chemical component. It makes up about 60% of your body weight. If you don’t drink enough water, you can get dehydrated, which can drain your energy and make you feel tired and sluggish. Severe dehydration can cause even worse health issues. You lose water through basically everything you do, from breathing and sweating to urinating. This means that you need to replenish your water supply regularly. As you can see, this needs to be done even in winter.
• BENEFITS OF DRINKING WATER: One benefit is that water helps improve blood circulation which keeps skin looking soft and smooth. This is particularly important in winter because cold and windy weather can result cause your skin to become dry and flaky. Water also helps the body dissolve fats and soluble fibre and flushes waste products from the kidneys and liver. This helps your keep your digestive system regular. Finally, studies have shown that staying hydrated is a good way to prevent headaches. In fact, for some people, drinking water can provide headache relief even after the pain has already started.
• HOW TO STAY HYDRATED: While many of us find drinking enough water difficult in the winter, we can still get the water we need from other sources. For example, teas and soups are mostly water so they can help you stay hydrated while also keeping you feeling warm and comforted. Just be mindful of the amount sugar and salt in each respectively. In addition to tea and soup, many other foods also contain water. Try eating more foods such as cucumbers, lettuce, celery, radishes and tomatoes. All of these are low in calories, high in nutrients and, of course, in water. You may also want to consider limiting your alcohol consumption. While alcohol doesn’t directly lead to dehydration, it does cause you to go to the washroom more frequently, which can lead to dehydration if you’re not careful. Consuming alcohol also blocks your body’s ability to reabsorb water (as does coffee) and impairs your natural ability to recognize the signs of dehydration.

If you’d like to learn more about which foods are best for staying hydrated, please don’t hesitate to give us a call. Remember, at Physiomed…Healthier Starts Here.