From the time you were a small child, you’ve likely been told the importance of hydration. There is a good reason for this: staying hydrated allows the body to function correctly without unfortunate symptoms. Athletes or those who live a relatively active lifestyle need to emphasize their hydration, as the liquids of the body quickly deplete with physical activity. Here at Advance Physical Therapy, our team wants to help keep you as healthy as possible. That is why we’d like to spend some time informing you about the importance of winter hydration.
Common Symptoms Of Dehydration
The most important reason to carefully monitor your water intake throughout the day is to help fight off dehydration. When left unchecked, dehydration can lead to serious health issues. In most cases, people can tell when they are thirsty and begin drinking before any problems occur. However, failing to do so even for a short period can lead to the below common symptoms:
- Feelings of dizziness or lightheadedness.
- Spells of fainting.
- Disorientation.
- Extreme thirst.
- Fatigue.
Monitoring Winter Hydration
During the cold months of winter, it becomes even more critical to monitor your daily hydration. When the temperatures are sweltering in the summer, water helps cool your body down and quench your thirst. In essence, it’s easier to know when you need hydration. This becomes a bit more difficult in the winter. Thanks to the cold weather, people may not feel as thirsty as they normally would, leading to bouts of dehydration. Fortunately, our team has methods to help you avoid this situation.
Tips For Staying Hydrated In The Winter
If you’re someone who thinks they should be drinking more water in the winter, our team is here to help. Our physical therapists can share some tips that make monitoring your hydration both easy and fun. Example of how to do this include:
- Set alarms throughout the day to remind yourself to drink water.
- Invest in a large water bottle that carries the total daily amount of water you need to drink.
- Increase your intake of fruits and vegetables, as some contain water.
- Always take water with you when completing physical activities.
- Drink a glass of cold water as the very first thing you do each morning.
Contact Us
Failing to stay hydrated this winter can lead to severe injuries. However, even after monitoring your water intake, injuries can still occur. When this happens to you, our team at Advance Physical Therapy can get you back to full strength. For more information on how we can help, be sure to contact us today.