Hydration is important. *Duh!* You don’t need to have a high IQ to know that, even little kids know it!
Now that summer is almost here and the days are getting hotter, it is very important to stay properly hydrated. It wouldn’t come as a surprise that we lose a lot of water, especially during a high intensity workout. Not only dehydration can have a considerable impact on the level of performance, it could pose danger to your health such as heat strokes, cramps and exhaustion.
According to Stop Sports Injuries, the following are some of the symptoms of heat illness:
- chills,
- dark colored urine,
- dizziness,
- dry mouth,
- headaches,
- thirst,
- weakness
Ladies, I know what you are all thinking! Of course, I am aware, we never sweat. *Wink, wink*
If you find difficulty drinking more water throughout the day, make sure to read one of my previous posts, Hydration 101, for more tips.
Today, I’d like to talk about hydration in a more pleasant and tasteful light! *It is indeed possible!* All it takes is a little bit of creativity, and maybe just a few minutes of your precious time. *Pinky swear!*
Recently, I came across four fun infused water recipes on Greatist. They seem super fun, and I can’t wait to share them with you. You’ll need a 1L water bottle, water, wooden spoon and an optional sweetener of your choice *be careful not to needlessly overdo on sugar*.
Minty Cucumber Lime
1/2 cucumber, sliced
1/2 lime, sliced
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
Strawberry-Lemon with Basil
1/2 cup sliced strawberries
1/2 a lemon, sliced
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
Watermelon Mint Water
1 cup cubed watermelon
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
Pineapple-Orange with Ginger
1/2 cup cubed pineapple
1/2 an orange, sliced
1 tablespoon freshly-grated ginger
Directions from Greatist:
- Choose which recipe you’re making — or come up with your own combination — and gather all of the ingredients.
- Place the fruit, herbs, and/or spices in the bottom of one of the glass jars, and muddle with a wooden spoon. *That basically means mash up the fruit in the bottom of the jar to release some of the flavor-filled juices.*
- Fill the jar with water and give it a taste. *You can also fill the jar with seltzer water for a fizzy treat.* If you’d like something a bit sweeter, try adding some agave (and mix until dissolved).
- Enjoy as-is or refrigerate overnight for maximum flavor.
What is your favorite way to drink water to change it up?
xoxo
Olena