5 Delicious Tips to Stay Hydrated: Post by Alex Maul

We’re in the dog days of summer, and I don’t know about you, but I’m definitely feeling the heat. For me, summer is synonymous with being outside in the hot weather, playing in the sun, enjoying outdoor exercise, and yep, sweating. We sweat more in the summer and usually are more active outdoors, so make hydration a priority in order to feel your best.

Every system in our body needs water to function. Water flushes out toxins, transports nutrients to our cells, is needed for digestion and circulation, and moisturizes our skin. Without enough water, we can feel exhausted and foggy, and look dry and wrinkly. A good rule of thumb is to drink half of your body weight in ounces (i.e. if you weigh 150 lbs, aim for 75 oz of water per day). Tired of plain ol’ water? Think outside the box and try these tips:

1. Jazz up your water with fresh fruit and herb ice cubes.

Simply fill your ice cube tray with berries, citrus, and herbs of your choice, pour filtered water over top, freeze, and enjoy! The combinations of flavors are endless. This tray of strawberries, blueberries, lemons, limes, and mint went quickly in my household – the cubes lend a subtle fruity flavor while also chilling your drink.

2. Green smoothies and juices are super hydrating.

Or, add a bit of plain, unsweetened 100% coconut water (some are better than others) to your glass of water for a touch of natural sweetness.

3. Eat your water.

Increase your intake of fruits and vegetables with a higher water content (cucumber, watermelon, tomato, celery, radish, cauliflower, and more) to easily up your water intake.

4. Make a fruit, herb, or veggie-infused water.

My favorite is a Strawberry, Orange, and Mint water. Other good combos: sliced cucumber and lemon, slices of turmeric, ginger, and lemon, or berries and mint. And, you don’t have to use cold water here, you could also try hot water with lemon– it’s a great way to get your system moving in the morning. To keep it clean, make sure to wash the outside of the fruit before you slice it, and try to use organic produce to minimize pesticide exposure.

5. Drink clean, filtered water 

Bring a stainless steel or glass water bottle (to avoid nasty chemicals in plastic) with you everywhere. I bring my Life Factory glass water bottle with me – I know exactly how much it holds, so I can easily keep track of how much water I’m drinking throughout the day.

Cheers to a healthy and happy rest of your summer!

Alexandra Maul, MPH is a health educator and public health professional. After experiencing debilitating chronic health issues and learning how to heal, she created Made to Glow – an interactive community and healthy living guide that educates and inspires others around healthy eating, self-care practices, and non-toxic living. She believes that when we’re healthy and happy, we glow! Connect with Alex on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and www.madetoglow.com to learn more.