Watch your Water Intake this Winter

Just because the weather is cold outside doesn’t mean that a person can’t still become dehydrated. In fact, dehydration is quite common in winter because many people fail to drink enough fluids during this time. Rather than becoming a statistic, here are some steps you can take in order to ensure you have an adequate water intake all year long.

Consume Water with Meals

One of the best ways to ensure you get enough fluids is to drink at least one full glass of water with each meal. If the idea of drinking cold water is unappealing, you can drink it lukewarm or at room temperature instead. Avoid the temptation to consume hot coffee or tea with your meals. These beverages contain caffeine, which can act as a diuretic, thereby increasing your odds of becoming dehydrated. Alternately, you could also drink a cup of hot broth with your meals instead.

Drink when Exercising

You can still perspire when performing exercise outdoors, no matter what the temperature is. Pay attention to the amount of sweat you are producing so that you can adjust your fluid intake accordingly. It can be a good idea to drink around half to one litre of water before you begin, and around the same amount every hour thereafter.

Watch your Diet

Eating healthy is an excellent way to ensure you consume enough fluid, since many fruits and vegetables have a high water content. The approaching winter season is perfect to get your vegetable intake; if you can’t get hold of any fresh veg then canned or frozen vegetables can provide a good amount of water. Vegetables can easily be used to make a tasty soup that you will enjoy warming up with when the temperatures begin to drop a little. In fact, any kind of soup can be an excellent way to consume more water without having the need to drink more than usual.

Drink Throughout the Day

Keep water with you at all times so that you can drink periodically throughout the day. This is important, as many heating systems tend to dry out your nasal and sinus passages, which in turn could make it more difficult for you to breathe. Aim for around 8 litres of water each day, depending upon your activity level. Keep a refillable water bottle with you at all times, if you work in an office, be sure to make use of any available water dispensers to ensure that you stay hydrated throughout the day.

Water intake is just as important during the winter as it is in the summer. Your body may not appear thirsty, but you must maintain a constant effort to consume water so that you will not suffer the ill effects of dehydration.