It’s easy to remember the importance of hydration in the summer. High temperatures and intense sun can lead to sickness, exhaustion, and dehydration.
Drinking a glass of cold water in the middle of a hot summer day is refreshing - but drinking a glass of cold water in the middle of a frigid winter day? Not so much.
However, our hydration needs do not change from season to season. Hydration matters year-round, even during winter.
Why Hydration Matters
Drinking enough water every day is critical to bodily functions. Our bodies need to stay hydrated to:- Regulate body temperature
- Keep joints lubricated
- Prevent infections
- Deliver nutrients to cells
- Keep organs functioning properly
- Improve sleep qualify
- Improve cognition
- Improve mood
Why Winter Hydration Matters
Winter hydration matters just as much as hydration during warmer months. Even though we may sweat more in July than in December, our bodies still lose water in the winter the same ways they do in the spring, summer, and fall – not just through sweating, but through breathing and urinating. Thirst is one way we know our bodies need water. But there are other ways our bodies signal to us that they need more hydration. These include:- Dry mouth
- Cracked or chapped lips
- Dry skin
- Dark urine
- Difficulty focusing
- Feeling lightheaded or tired
How Much Water Should You Drink?
The Mayo Clinic recommends that the average woman drink about 11.5 cups of water daily and the average man drink about 15.5 cups of water daily. Another way to figure out how much water you need is to use your body weight as a starting point. You should drink about half your body weight in fluid ounces each day. So a 200-pound person should drink about 100 ounces of water a day and a 120-pound person should drink about 60 ounces of water a day. If that sounds like a lot of water, don’t fret. Drinking a glass of water isn’t the only way you can stay hydrated.How to Get Hydrated
While plain water can (and should) account for much of your daily hydration needs, there are other ways to get water and stay hydrated. These include:- Drinking warm beverages, like herbal or non-caffeinated tea
- Eating or drinking soups
- Eating fruits and vegetables with high water content (including cucumbers, celery, spinach, citrus fruits, grapes, watermelons, carrots)
- Drinking water naturally flavored with fruits or vegetables (berries, lemons, oranges, cucumber slices)
