How to stay hydrated during the summer!

As we already begin reaching temperatures of a scorching 26 degrees, it is incredibly important we keep ourselves and our loved ones hydrated. Whilst often overlooked, dehydration can cause some serious complications, including heat injury, urinary and kidney infections, low blood volume shock (hypovolemic shock), and even seizures.

Whilst it can all sound very daunting, dehydration is often very easy to fix! We all know that we need water, but just how much do we need? It’s often asked, how much water should I drink a day? Health experts commonly recommend around 2 litres of water a day, which is generally 8-ounce glasses.

Hydration is not simply restricted to drinking water, however. A lot of foods are water-rich, including some of our favourites. There are plenty of resources outlining the best foods for hydration, like ‘The Top 10 Most Hydrating Foods!’ So there’s plenty of ways that we can retain water and keep hydrated – but we’ll break it down further so you can enjoy the long, sunny days and breezy nights of summer without worrying about water.

Drink Water – And Lots of It!

Keeping a water bottle next to you at all times, otherwise known as ‘hydrate bottles’, is one of the best ways to remind yourself to stay hydrated. It’s easy to forget to continuously drink water, and we’re already dehydrated once we feel thirsty, so finding that balance isn’t easy! Drinking two litres of water is highly recommended, and even more on hot summery days.

A lot of water bottles nowadays are very expensive. For you, we’ve put a list together of the best and most affordable water bottles with the ‘Top 10 Water Bottles of 2021’.

Keep Cool – Don’t sweat it!

We all envy the sunshine, especially with Britain’s infamous stop-start summers. But on hot days and during heatwaves, the shade is our friend. Our bodies’ hydration is often severely impacted by how much we’re sweating. If we push ourselves too far, we can even fall ill with heat-stroke, which is why it’s key to stay out of the scorching sun between its peak hours of sunlight (between 10AM and 3PM).

Sometimes, keeping cool isn’t the easiest task, which is why we’ve compiled a list of the best tips for ‘Keeping Cool this Summer!’.

Substitute alcohol and caffeine – water’s best!

Whilst we all enjoy a morning coffee or an evening tipple, if we’re concerned about our welfare at home and want to ensure that we’re keeping as healthy and hydrated as possible, alcohol and caffeine are often driving factors of dehydration. Why is that, though? Alcohol reduces the amount of vasopressin your body makes, which causes the body to hold onto water, so it’s often best that if you are enjoying a cold beer on a hot summer’s day, make sure to add water into your mix as well.

Coffee – a matter that has been discussed for years, can cause dehydration. Caffeine can act as a diuretic, which means we go to the toilet more often. The more we go to the toilet, the less fluid our bodies hold, and the easier it becomes to become dehydrated. It doesn’t mean scrapping the morning wake-up, but still drink your two litres of water a day. 

There are many resources that outline the what’s best to drink in the summer, and what to not drink, such as: ‘The Best (& Worst!) Drinks for Hydration!’

Enjoy drinking water – make it flavourful!

The thought of only drinking water all day and everyday often makes us grimace – the sometimes-flavourless thought just doesn’t compare to that sweet, fizzy feel of a fresh coca cola. Water doesn’t have to be boring, though! Often, shops sell flavoured water, and you can even make steps to do that at home. Addon a lemon or lime to a glass of water alongside some ice really makes a big difference!

Making water flavourful isn’t a hard task but knowing what to put in them poses some questions. For that purpose, we’ve compiled you a guide for: ‘Easy Ways to make Water Taste Better!

Home Care & Hydration

At CareYourWay, our vetted and specialist care staff are heavily trained in hydration. Using innovative care software alongside continuous fluid chart monitoring, we’re able to identify when to act with hydration. We work with industry-leading companies to help combat dehydration, such as Jelly Drops, who have innovated incredible products.

No matter the package of care we deliver, we always consider hydration a top priority. To learn more about our care services, including hydration, please contact us to talk to a friendly and compassionate member of staff who can help if you’re searching for home care services.