When the weather turns warm – as it has done for so many people right now – making sure that you’ve got the necessary protections in place is hugely important! Luckily, this is something our experts here at Navivva Splendid can help with – and so, today, we’re looking at some of the key things you need to know about staying hydrated in these hot conditions.
Why Is Staying Hydrated So Important?
There are numerous reasons that staying hydrated in hot weather is so important, but unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for people to struggle with this goal. Whether it’s simply due to a lack of access to clean and safe drinking water – for example, while on the go – or because the weather is so hot that you just can’t keep up, dehydration can be a major challenge for many people.
Dehydration is especially prevalent in hot weather conditions since our bodies often try to keep us cool through sweating and increased water loss. While this can be an effective cooling mechanism, it does up your water requirements drastically to replace the loss.
Unfortunately, failing to address dehydration can have numerous consequences in its own right. Excess water loss often leads to severe dehydration if not combatted quickly, which in turn can give symptoms such as cramps, fatigue, and dizziness. Moreover, as you lose water, the levels of electrolytes in your body can become depleted; this, again, can result in numerous complications (including muscle weakness).
In more serious cases, it’s not uncommon for people to experience heat-related illnesses as a result of hot weather exposure. Heat exhaustion is one of the most severe, and if left untreated, this can quickly progress to heat stroke.
How to Stay Hydrated in Hot Weather
By now, we’ve clarified why it’s so vital to stay hydrated in hot weather (and the potential dangers that can come with ignoring this). But how can you make sure that the hot weather doesn’t leave you dehydrated or unwell? The following five tips might just help.
#1 Invest in a Large Sports Water Bottle
One of the most crucial tips we can give to help you stay hydrated in hot weather is to invest in a large sports water bottle (ideally with some form of carrying mechanism, such as our own Navivva Splendid 2.2-litre water bottles with sleeve).
While this might seem like an obvious tip, it’s so easy to overlook this when preparing for an outing. Many of us simply assume that there’ll be somewhere to grab a bottle of water while on the go, but this isn’t always the case. What’s more, when the weather turns hot, any destinations that do sell water bottles will likely be much busier than normal, leaving you potentially queuing in the heat for longer.
And, of course, this can also be a massive waste of money! Contrastingly, investing in a large, reusable sports water bottle can allow you to keep a drink on hand throughout the day, ensuring you’re always ready to face whatever the weather throws at you.
#2 Think About How and When You Hydrate
You’ve got the sports water bottle – but just guzzling half of it in one go isn’t going to be a good option either. Indeed, it’s vital to think about how and when you drink instead.
Ideally, try to take regular sips of water rather than waiting an hour and then drinking loads. And, if you’re planning to exercise in the heat, make sure you plan your drinks carefully. Always drink well before exercising, and continue to drink small amounts throughout your workout session to stave off dehydration (ideally every 10-20 minutes). After the workout, make sure you also rehydrate with your Navivva Splendid 2.2-litre large water bottle to replenish any electrolytes and water you may have lost.
#3 Add Electrolytes
As we already mentioned, electrolyte loss can be a major source of risk for many people. In line with this, making sure you’re taking on plenty of electrolytes is an often overlooked aspect of staying hydrated and healthy in hot weather.
Fortunately, this doesn’t have to be hard. Many electrolyte supplements are available these days, and these are often flavoured to make them tastier than they might seem on the surface. Definitely a worthwhile option to consider.
#4 Look for Shade
Drinking plenty of water is vital in hot weather, but minimising your water loss can also help a lot. As such, try to look out for shade or areas with air conditioning to help you cool down; this can reduce the amount you end up sweating, in turn, making you less dehydrated.
Final Thoughts
There’s no single way to cope with the heat; in reality, employing several different strategies is generally the best option to stay safe. However, one of the most integral – and the easiest to implement – is simply to make sure you’re drinking plenty of water.
Fortunately, our gorgeous Navivva Splendid large water bottles are the ideal companions for any hot day, so make sure you’ve got yours to hand when you need it most. Plus, since they come with sleeves, you know you’ll be able to carry them around with you without the hassle.
