How To Stay Hydrated In This Ridiculous Summer Heat

1. Drink water.

Though this first tip is more than obvious, a lot of us don't get in the H2O required to be fully hydrated. Drinking water regularly helps regulate your body's internal temperature, metabolize ingested food, flush bodily waste, and produce proper saliva – *basically* everything that contributes to us feeling good.

Aim to consistently drink water – drink a glass upon waking every morning, then from there, try to reach an intake goal. According to Mayo Clinic, women need around 11.5 cups of water per day, but this recommendation can fluctuate based on how much exercise you get and *just* how unbearably hot it is outside.

Having an encouraging water bottle on-hand can help you feel motivated to sip during the day – even when you’re not moving or sweating.

2. Intake electrolytes.

Sometimes water is not enough, based on your health, activity levels, and circumstances. Electrolytes can help. What are electrolytes?

Simply put, electrolytes are substances with a positive (+) or negative (-) charge. Incorporating electrolytes into your hydration routine can help your body maintain its fluid balance. They are super helpful in transporting chemical compounds in and out of the cells in your body, which contribute to hydration levels!

According to Scripps, you can lose up to 40% of your body’s water content during exercise, so if you're keen on running or yoga this summer, it's important to replenish that loss with not *just* water, but electrolytes, too. You can get them naturally through salt water or even pickles!

3. Take some hydration supplements + drinks.

Knowing this, it's crucial to invest in hydration supplements and sports drinks that don't contain a ton of sugar and unnecessary ingredients. Here are some hydration supplements with helpful electrolytes can boost your body’s water intake and retention.

4. Eat hydration-rich foods.

Fruits and veggies carry nutrients and vitamins, but some of them are *especially* hydrating because of their high water content. Fruits like watermelon, strawberries, cantaloupe, peaches, and pineapples have a lot of water, so including them in your smoothies or summer dinner recipes can give you a good hydration boost. Cucumbers, leafy greens, radishes, celery, zucchini and tomatoes are also high in water content – time for a hydrating salad, we say!

5. Stay inside when it's too hot.

6. Dress for the weather.

Pants in this heat are nonsensical, so dress like it's summer. Summer dresses, tank tops, sandals, and shady hats all in light colors will help alleviate the heat your body draws in.