Drinking Water in SummerSummer is finally here and it's time to start getting ready for some serious fun in the sun! Whether you choose to hop on a plane or simply take advantage of the British coastline, most of us certainly make the most of this little slice of tropical heaven. But staying hydrated in the warm weather is almost as vital as protecting yourself from that potentially dangerous sun. This article offers some valuable tips on how and why you should keep topping up with liquids whilst enjoying yourself on holiday.

Dehydration - Spotting the signs

As soon as you start to feel thirsty, dehydration has already started to kick in. Even once you try to slake this thirst with some welcoming liquid, you will probably start to feel the next stages. Headaches are common, fatigue may set in, and your ability to concentrate will also take a serious nose dive. When dehydration steps up, you may start to feel ill and numbness in your whole body can come into play.

Top tips for a safe summer!

Nobody enjoys feeling that way, especially when you are supposed to be making the most of your precious time off! So let's look at how you can avoid dehydration and really enjoy your summer holiday, wherever you happen to be:

  • Don't Overdo it!  - Although it may be tempting to just drink gallons of lovely water, this will not help your cause. Water-toxicity is almost as dreadful as dehydration so take it steady and you will soon feel better
  • Don't Delay – As soon as you feel that you are going to get hot, take some fluids onboard. It is far easier to keep your hydration under control if you start as you mean to go on.
  • Stay Regular – If you know in advance that you will be participating in sports, or merely chilling in a hot environment, try to take some drinks onboard at regular intervals. Keep a source of water available and you will always be ready to top up.
  • Fruits Rock! -  As well as fresh water, why not eat some delicious fruit as well? Watermelon, peaches and nectarines are all fantastic when it comes to staying hydrated.
  • Electrolytes – These clever drinks contain some special ingredients that will work even faster than water and they'll replace valuable nutrients in your system.
  • Stay Protected – Making sure you're protected from the sun's rays is just as vital as staying hydrated. Make sure you apply generous amounts of sunscreen at regular intervals  

Rehydrated yet?

So, you've followed these top tips and need some proof of rehydration? No worries, you should be feeling miles better for starters and when you decide to pass urine, the colour should be pale and you will feel the need to go fairly often for the next hour or so.