Stay Cool and Hydrated: Tips to Beat the Heat and Quench Your Thirst

Staying hydrated is one of the most important things you can do for your health. While the usual recommendation is 6 to 8 glasses per day, a Harvard study found that these quantities actually depend on various factors such as the weather, medical conditions, age and activity level. That said, the body will need more water during the summer especially because we tend to lose water from the body through sweat.

Not only does it help regulate body temperature, but it also aids in digestion, supports healthy skin, and helps flush out toxins. Despite its importance, many of us struggle to drink enough water throughout the day. Fortunately, there are many tasty and creative ways to stay hydrated beyond just drinking plain water. So here are some tips to stay hydrated.

ways to stay hydrated

Eat water-rich fruits

Fruits and vegetables are certainly one of the healthiest and tastiest sources of hydration. Given the many options available, there is undoubtedly some fruit or vegetable for every person to include in their diet. Consume them either as a snack or have them in your daily meals and these foods can do more than just hydrate your body. Different produce are rich in different nutrients that are essential for the body to function healthily. Particularly, those fruits and vegetables containing potassium like watermelon, grapefruit, and spinach are more advantageous as they act as catalysts to keep the body hydrated by helping the cells to absorb water faster.

ways to stay hydrated

Pay attention to dehydration signals

Drinking less than the required amount of water can lead to dehydration and the body usually has certain ways of showing this. Some signals include dry mouth, chapped lips, tiredness, bad breath and more. So next time, if you notice any of these signs, drink some water first before applying that lip balm.

ways to stay hydrated

Set reminders

Though everyone knows how crucial it is to drink a lot of water, it can be quite easy to forget to do so especially if you are busy doing something else. One simple and great way to ensure that you intake water regularly throughout the day is to set reminders on your phone. There are even apps specially built for this purpose that allow you to set a daily target and the app will ring alarms at regular intervals reminding you to drink water on a regular basis.

Another way to remind yourself to drink water frequently is to buy one of those motivational bottles that come with time marks and slogans that encourage you to reach your daily water intake goals.

ways to stay hydrated

Try infused waters

Water that is infused with flavours from herbs or fruits is also a nice way to ensure that you drink the optimal amount of water every day. They can also help with weight loss and digestion.

You can either buy pre-infused water or make your own infused water by adding certain herbs or fruits to a large jar of water and leaving it for 5 to 8 hours depending on how flavourful you want the water to be. Once the infused water is ready, you can filter and drink the water.

You can also purchase one of those infuser water bottles that have a special compartment with a filter in them for you to add some fruits or herbs to them, allowing the water to become concentrated with flavours throughout the day.

Hydrate your skin from the inside out with these top 5 miracle foods

Fact: Nobody likes dry skin! And sometimes, no matter how many products we use, we just can’t seem to get that hydration that our skin so desperately needs. As you nod your head in agreement, remind yourself that hydration ultimately comes from within. For that long-lasting natural glow, check out these healthy miracle foods that will have your skin looking firm and radiant from the inside out!

Watermelon

Hydrate your skin from the inside out with these top 5 miracle foods

With a content of more than 90% water, this popular summer fruit is the ideal snack for staying hydrated. Providing a source of vitamin A, B and C, as well as minerals such as manganese and potassium, watermelon not only improves your skin’s appearance but also stimulates health. Add your daily dose of watermelon to a blender and mix with other fruits to create a healthy and hydrating fruit juice. 

Flaxseed Oil

Flaxseed oil is one of the best plant sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Not only is it extremely beneficial for chronic skin conditions such as rosacea, acne and dermatitis, it also aids hair growth, weight loss and blood health.  Incorporate this miracle liquid into your daily routine by adding into into your smoothies or juices, or use it in place of other types of oils when creating salad dressings or dips. Lastly, remember to store your bottles in a dark and cool place to avoid oxidation. 

Avocado

Hydrate your skin from the inside out with these top 5 miracle foods

The avocado trend is here to stay! Not only are they super tasty, they are also superstars for your skin. While the water content hydrates the skin, the healthy fats and chlorophyll help to reduce inflammation, and Vitamin E promotes softness, preventing wrinkles over time. To make a homemade mask made from avocados, take a 1/4 ripe avocado and mash it up into a bowl until it turns lump free. Mix into the pulp, 1 teaspoon of plain organic yoghurt and ½ teaspoon of honey. Stir them well until you get a paste of uniform consistency. Apply the mask onto your skin for 10-15 minutes or until it dries out and wash off to reveal smooth and silky skin!

Apples

The fruit bowl favourite proves that it is not only tasty but contains plentiful nutrients for healthy skin. Boasting a high content of vitamin C, apples help to build collagen and their levels of copper encourage skin to produce melanin, pigment responsible for colour in your skin.  They also contain a number of antioxidants such as flavonoids and polyphenols that help protect the body against harmful bacteria and viruses. Moreover, the beta carotene in it has anti-cancer and anti-cholesterol properties.

Cucumber

Hydrate your skin from the inside out with these top 5 miracle foods

Cucumber is not only recommended for eating, but it is also good to apply on your skin. The flesh of the cucumber is mostly water, but also contains Vitamin C and caffeic acid, both of which help to soothe skin irritations and prevent water retention. This may explain why cucumbers are often helpful for puffy eyes and burns.  Add slices into a jug of water and pop into the fridge for an easy go-to drink that will both quench your thirst and keep you hydrated throughout the summer days. 

Now that you have your diet in order,  all that’s left to do is to incorporate some of the latest skincare products into your daily routine and then sit back and watch your complexion glow, day after day.

Text: Hira Desai