7 Ways to Keep Hydrated This Summer

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Brita, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #BritaOnTheGo

The temperatures have been getting warmer and warmer here in California, which can only mean one thing…. summer is almost here!  With summer comes lots of fun outdoor activities and fun in the sun, which can lead to dehydration very quickly if you’re not careful.

Here are some great ways to keep your body hydrated this summer, as well as year round!

Tip #1.  Keep it cool.  In order to be able to drink all of the recommended glasses of water each day, you want to make drinking water as pleasant as possible.  I noticed that whenever I go to a restaurant, I drink a lot more water than I usually do, mainly because it’s nice and cold.  Keep a bag of ice in the freezer so that your water is always ice-cold.  You’re more likely to get in those recommended ounces if your water is cool and refreshing!

Tip #2.  Drink before eating.  Before sitting down to eat a meal, drink a big glass of water first.  That way you’ll make sure that you’re drinking plenty of liquids, and it will make you eat less food because your stomach will be fuller faster- it’s a double win!

Tip #3.  Take it with you.  It can be hard to drink enough water if you’re a busy mom like me, always on the go.  The best way I’ve found to remind myself to drink water is by always having it with me.  I recently bought the Brita Hard Sided Water Filter Bottleand it has absolutely changed my water drinking habits for the better!

What’s so great about the Brita water bottles is that it has a filter built into the straw, so that when you take a sip, the water is filtered as it goes through the straw before it reaches your mouth.  Brilliant!  Now when we’re at the beach this summer, or playing at the park, I don’t have to worry about bad-tasting tap water.  Love it!

Tip #4.  Add some flavor.  Sometimes I want some flavor in my water, especially when I’m trying to drink the recommended amount of water each day.  Adding sliced lemons, limes, mint, or berries to my water is a great way to infuse some natural flavors into my water, which in turn makes me want to drink more of it!  Simply add ice to your Brita water bottle, slice the desired fruit, add to your water bottle, then add water, and let sit for a couple of hours in the fridge to let the flavors seep into the water.  A delicious flavored water with no calories!

Tip #5.  Mix it up.  Although water is the best way to keep your body hydrated, did you know that you can also reach the recommended daily intake of water by eating?  Foods like watermelon, celery, and strawberries are naturally made up of mostly water, and can add to your water intake.

Soup, smoothies (like my pina colada smoothie) and other foods also have large amounts of water in them, so they are great meal or snack choices on those hot summer days when your body needs the extra fluids.

Tip #6.  Set an alert.  Sometimes all it  takes is a friendly reminder to drink up!  If you’re having a hard time remembering to stop what you’re doing and drink a glass of water, you can easily set up daily alerts on our phone, set to go off throughout your day.  When you hear your alert/alarm go off, simply stop what you’re doing and drink a glass of water.  This is a great way to remind yourself on those busy days where you might forget to stay properly hydrated.

Tip #7.  Keep in touch.  Make sure that you are paying attention to your body and the signals that it’s giving you.  If you feel thirsty, be sure to not ignore that feeling… go drink a glass of water!  Your body is giving you a warning signal that it needs fluids, and ignoring that feeling can lead to fatigue and dehydration.  You can also look at your urine for signals of dehydration.  Urine should be a pale yellow.  Dark yellow, strong-scented, or cloudy urine can indicate dehydration, so be aware of what your body is telling you and drink more fluids if you notice these symptoms.

Summer is definitely one of the favorite times of the year because of all of the fun outdoor activities going on.  Be sure to follow these steps to keep yourself hydrated on those hot summer days so that you can keep up with your kiddos and be your best self!