It may seem obvious, however the importance of hydration cannot be emphasized enough this winter season. Water consumption in the winter is harder to maintain than the summer simply due to the increased physical activity and warmer temperatures. Believe it or not, your kidneys actually excrete more urine during the winter months. With the increased challenge of staying hydrated, your body is relying on you to keep your hydration levels up! So why is it more difficult to maintain proper hydration during the winter months?
Outdoor temperature alone can be a good explanation. We’ve noticed our patients tend to increase their activity levels when the winter turns to spring. Even if you do not consider yourself to be a relatively active person, maybe you have to cut the grass that first time back from the winter season. If you are not ready from a hydration standpoint, your muscle may tighten up and even strain. Sweat can also be a great indicator that you may need to increase your water intake, since you are losing fluids through your sweat.
Indoor temperature can also play a part in our hydration levels. The Hydration Science Lab at the Arizona State University found that central heating can create dry environments in indoor settings, which makes breathing more challenging. Increased breathing difficulty can lead to increased water loss. With how cold it is outside, a large percentage of people find themselves indoors for a large portion of the winter, explaining the change of environments for many people.
From a health standpoint, hydration is important to maintain for all bodily functions. From muscle function to heart health and circulation, it is important to know how important the simple act of drinking water is. Poor water consumption quantity has been linked to increased inflammation, decreased circulation, joint pains, blood pressure concerns, diabetes, and more. Certain symptoms may present if you are suffering from dehydration and include but are not limited to: dry mouth, dry eyes, decreased urine frequency, dizziness, concentration issues, irritability, fever, and altered urine color. In fact, you should pay attention to the color of your urine, as this may be the first indication that you might be dehydrated! Common rule is the lighter the urine, the better off you are hydration-wise.
What kind of fluids should you have for good hydration? It is pretty safe to say one should avoid alcohol consumption for hydration purposes. Fruit intake increase can also be a good way to increase hydration, as many fruits contain a significant quantity of water. Carrying a water bottle with a measured quantity can help you track how much water you are drinking in the day. Your specific intake amount varies based on activity level, age, and sex may play a part in how much you should consume daily. The body should be able to manage a healthy amount of water without over consuming. Frequent urination may indicate you need a supplement to help with absorption such as B12, or you may be overhydrating. Overhydration is possible, so you should pay attention to how much you consume daily. When one overhydrated, the body may potentially lose more water which would dehydrate the body. Other symptoms may also occur such as dizziness and vomiting, contributing to more fluid loss.
If you need help developing a good hydration plan, ask one of our doctors! They can guide you toward a good hydration plan which can help you in the long term maintain better healthy living. For your chiropractic treatment plan, proper hydration is recommended to help you gain the best results of your treatment plan. The proper water intake can promote healing, better muscle function, and better joint movement which are all needed in a chiropractic treatment plan. Ask one of our providers today about your hydration plan!
