Hydration: More Than Just Drinking Water

Drinking water seems simple – it is essential to regulating your body temperature, delivering nutrients to your cells, keeping your organs functioning, improving sleep, energy, and mood, and on, and on, and on…..

With summer officially here in Chattanooga, it may become challenging to stay hydrated. I’m sweating just walking from my house to my car these days! Here are some of my favorite tips to stay hydrated that go beyond just drinking more water:

1. How much water should you be drinking?

At minimum 64 oz is the daily recommended amount, but a closer rule of thumb is your body weight divided by 2. That’s how many ounces you should try to drink every day at minimum.

2. What source is your water coming from?

 It’s important to get water from places that are good sources – spring water is an awesome source. You can go to the store and look for Mountain Valley Spring Water. 

If you  want a good filtration system – Berkey water filters are amazing for at home purification. Our family uses it everyday! It is an investment, but they are really good at purifying water, removing all the metals and impurities from the tap water.

3. How do you get water in and keep it in? 

If you’re often drinking caffeine and alcohol, these are two different diuretic sources that are taking water away from our body. Some great naturally hydrating sources are things like coconut water, watermelon, and even a sea salt, lemon, honey mixture at home to stay hydrated and keep your electrolyte balance up. 

One last tip is find a container that you can keep up with to remind yourself to drink water. You can keep it filled and on you at all times or by a water station in your house. 

These practices will help you fill your day with proper hydration and leave you feeling your best!