Staying hydrated at home should be easy, as it’s where you’ll often find most of the things that are a great natural source of rehydration. However, without the lure of freshly filtered or sparkling shop-bought water at your fingertips, it’s easy to find yourself feeling dehydrated.
To help you stay well-hydrated, something which is hugely important for a number of health reasons and benefits, we’ve put together a list of signs to look out for if you think you may be failing to hit your hydration targets, as well as some tips for how to rehydrate at home.
How To Tell If You’re Dehydrated
One of the reasons people don’t consume enough water is because they don’t realize just how dehydrated they actually are. On hot days, especially, it’s easy to think that you’re doing enough to stay hydrated when you’re not, so you need to look out for the signs.
Dehydration manifests itself in the body in the following ways:
- Thirstiness
- Dry mouth
- Bad breath
- A reduced or infrequent need to urinate
- Feeling tired
- Irritability
- Dry skin
- Dizziness
- Headaches
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, you should try to rehydrate yourself by following any of the tips recommended below.
Our Top Tips For Staying Hydrated At Home
1. Drink. More. Water.
It seriously is that simple – if you think you’re dehydrated, have a glass of water. If you’re feeling really thirsty? Make it a big one! The more water you drink, the more you’ll hydrate.
Scientists and nutrition experts recommend that the average person should consume up to 2 liters of water a day in order for their body to function properly – that’s about 8 glasses worth!
Investing in a small water pump allows you to have fresh water on tap – literally – so you can enjoy a regular supply which hopefully encourages you to regularly fill up your water bottle. You can then carry this with you around your home as a constant reminder to drink up!
2. Don’t Like Water? Drink Something Else!
Sometimes people struggle to hydrate properly because they’re not actually a fan of water, but turning to fizzy pop, tea, coffee, or energy drinks can have the opposite effect.
Consuming too much salt or sugar can also be dehydrating, but when combined with water and citrus juice, you’ll have a hydrating homemade cocktail of electrolytes without the sugar crash you’d experience after an energy drink; the perfect alternative if you don’t like water.
Using a sugar-to-salt ratio of ten to one, measurements that provide maximum hydration as well as a more palatable taste, add both seasonings to a glass of water and squeeze in some fresh lime juice for an additional boost of flavor and hydration.
3. Got Milk?
Following our last tip, milk is a bit of an underdog when it comes to hydration, but recent research has actually pointed toward it being a better source than water in some cases.
This is because milk has a naturally high electrolytes count, especially low-fat or skim varieties which are both great for balancing your body’s water content.
It’s another great option to turn to after a home workout, as it’s able to quickly rehydrate you whilst also providing enough protein and additional nutrients to promote muscle repair.
4. Don’t Rely On Liquids
Although it’s often overlooked when you’re searching for a quick fix for dehydration, certain foods are surprisingly hydrating and can be used as a way to provide further hydration if you’re forgetful or if increasing your water intake alone isn’t cutting it.
Soup, for example, and other foods that are made up of mostly water like stews and broths, are an excellent source of hydration and can be easily whipped up or warmed up at home.
Fruits and vegetables also make a great hydrating snack, as they can contain anything from 80 to 90-99% water. Some of the most hydrating choices include:
- Watermelon
- Oranges
- Berries
- Grapes
- Carrots
- Spinach
- Cabbage
6. Set Reminders Or Alarms
Despite the fact that some water bottle designs feature markers that indicate how much water you should be drinking each day, and clearly shows you when you’re not hitting these targets, even with the best will in the world, sometimes it’s just too easy to forget.
Setting a few alarms on your phone to go off at different times throughout the day is a great way to make sure you’re sipping continuously instead of trying to down your last liter of water 5 minutes before bed, which will help you stay hydrated at home.
Interesting Related Article: ” 5 Simple Reasons to Drink More Water [+ How to Drink More]“