3 ways to stay hydrated during summer months

Most of us just drink when we’re thirsty, but is that really enough to keep us hydrated? Staying hydrated during the summer can be a struggle when you’re busy going over the road.

Different sources offer different daily water intake recommendations, and there is no cookie cutter amount of water to aim for each day. How much water you should be drinking depends on your body and what it needs. Consult your physician for recommendations specific to you.

1. Stick to a schedule

It’s easier to consume water in small amounts than to gulp a bottle of it down all at once. Use a Sharpie to draw a schedule onto a reusable water bottle, setting a goal amount of water to drink for each time frame. Bottles like the Nalgene bottle have measurements along the side that you can reference when scheduling your water intake. If you don’t want to invest in a new bottle, try a different type of schedule: Drink a glass when you wake up, around meals and when you go to bed, for example. 

2. Eat hydrating foods

Hydration isn’t limited to drinking water. Fruits contain a lot of water, giving you an alternative source of hydration. According to WebMD, watermelons are 90 percent water, and oranges and melons also have a high water percentage. Incorporating these hydrating foods in to your diet can help you maintain hydration.

3. Flavor your water

For some people, water may seem like a bland beverage option. If you’re one of those people, flavor your water with your favorite fruits or with flavor packets from the grocery store. The flavor packets can usually be found on the same aisle as Gatorade and Koolaid at grocery stores. As for fruit, add slices of your favorites to your water. The juices from the fruit will add flavor to the water.