Summer is on its way to New Zealand which means staying hydrated is now more important than ever. When it comes to nutrients, water is probably the most underrated of them all. Every single cell in your body needs it to function. Failing to get enough water will negatively impact your skin, mood, physical ability and cognitive function. So if you don’t want to be an angry grouch with bad skin this summer, read below. This blog will remind you why hydration is important and teach you easy ways to ensure you hit your optimal water intake.
Start Early
The early bird gets the worm. Drinking a big glass of water upon waking is one of the best habits you can add to your morning routine. Studies show that those who fail to drink sufficient water experience frequent bad moods. So why start your day on a bad note when all it takes to feel better is a cheeky glass of H2O? In addition to this, drinking water in the morning can rehydrate you after a night of sleep, improve circulation and get the bowels going. Without water in your digestive tract, those hard stools won’t move freely and you’ll feel quite backed up. Some more benefits of drinking water include better looking skin, improved cognitive function and lower blood pressure. By avoiding a morning chug, you are depriving yourself of so many perks. Your first priority upon waking should be drinking a big glass of water. This will ensure your day starts off on a high and you won’t have to spend the rest of it catching up on your intake.
Leave Bottles Around The House
Out of sight means out of mind. If you want to increase your water intake, try leaving little reminders all around the house. You could have a glass on your bathroom sink and plenty of water bottles pre-prepared in the fridge. Studies show that people are far more likely to drink water if it is easily accessible and well refrigerated. It is vital that you maintain adequate hydration throughout the day as opposed just chugging three litres back in the morning. The water we drink gets lost through sweat and urination so it’s important to replenish often. Failing to do so will make you feel sluggish and sad. Populations most likely to forget to drink are children, athletes, the elderly and those with chronic illnesses. If you fit one of these categories, you should be extra vigilant about your intake. Try setting alarm reminders or make sure to have a quick sip with every meal. Too much water will just get peed out but not enough comes with devastating effects.
Add Some Flavouring
Not a fan of the plain water taste? Add something to sweeten it up and have some fun with flavour. Products like Branched Chain Amino Acidss and Essential Amino Acids are powders designed to speed up muscle recovery and make your water taste great at the same time. You are far more likely to hit your daily water intake if you genuinely enjoy the taste. This goes for any good behaviour you want to make a habit. Instead of viewing the task as a chore, make it something you look forward to. NZProtein amino acids come in a range of mouth watering flavours. These include pineapple, juicy peach, raspberry and more. A scoop of these bad boys into your water will not only reduce muscle soreness, they will also keep you hydrated and healthy. Give them a try and let us know what you think.
Eat Your Water
Hydration can be acquired through foods too. Vegetables like cucumber, lettuce and zucchini are all high in the good stuff. As are fruits like pineapples and melons. Fun fact, a peach is 87% water. If you’re not the biggest fan of drinking plain H2O, you can still get a decent amount by eating plants instead. This is especially easy to do when we have plenty of delicious summer fruits in season. Go down to the local market and grab as many fruits and veggies as you can. Chowing on these will contribute to your daily water intake and also bring in essential vitamins and minerals. What makes them even better is that they taste delicious. If you’re looking for a sign to eat more plants, here it is.
Get A Nice Vessel
Drinking enough water is much more pleasant when you have a decent vessel to get it from. Luckily for you, NZProtein sells a variety of bottles and shakers that will make getting hydrated a fun and fashionable experience. The options include a stainless steel shaker, hydration jug, a foldable option or a basic sipper bottle. Whichever one you choose, you’re going to look like a true athlete drinking out of it. If you spend enough money on supplements, you can even get one in your order for free! Keep those NZProtein bottles full and take it with you everywhere you go. Your water intake will be through the roof in no time.
Track Your Intake
It is often said that “what gets measured, gets managed”. Keeping a tally of how many glasses of water you’ve had that day is an effective way to achieve optimal hydration. Unfortunately there is no one size fits all amount that we should all be aiming to drink daily. Your individual requirements depend on factors like salt intake, body size, activity levels and rate of perspiration. The Heart Foundation broadly recommends around 11 cups per day for an adult woman and approximately 15 for the average man. Start by keeping a daily diary of how much water you drink and then assess how you feel. Trial and error is the best way to figure out how much is right for you. This could be done using an app on your phone or smartwatch. Alternatively, you could do it the old fashioned way using a pen and paper. Whatever method you choose, be consistent with it. Do this for a few weeks until your hydration habit is properly ingrained. This little trick makes a big difference for those who tend to forget about the importance of drinking water regularly.
Conclusion
Being dehydrated is up there with one of the most unpleasant feelings in the world. You will feel lethargic, dizzy and might even develop a pounding headache. Staying on top of your water intake will prevent these symptoms and ensure your body functions the way it’s supposed to. Start with a big glass of water in the morning, take your drink bottle with you, eat those plants and keep a log of how much you’ve drank throughout the day. These daily habits require minimal effort and will make a massive difference to your quality of life.
Written by Lauren Carruthers.