Hydration As The Seasons Change
Hydration is not a one size fits all approach. Your hydration needs are not only dependent on your age, body weight, and activity level, but they even shift with the seasons.
It’s easy to think of drinking water when it’s hot outside or when you’re involved in an activity.
However, when it starts to get colder, reaching for a cool refreshing drink of water may not be top of mind.
Yet, when the temperature outside drops and the furnace turns on, the indoor air begins to dry out. Warm, dry air increases water loss through your skin and breathing leading to a higher demand for H2O.
What happens in dry indoor air?
Dry furnace air = lower indoor humidity = more moisture lost
Skin: Water evaporates more quickly from your skin → dryness, tightness and chapped lips.
Breathing: Your airways continually humidify the air you breathe, which means you lose a small amount of water with each breath.
Nose & throat: Dryness can cause a scratchy throat or dry nasal passages.
Hydration signals: You may not feel particularly thirsty, so it's easy to overlook your fluid needs.
Caffeine & activity: Coffee, tea, exercise and heated indoor environments can add to your overall fluid requirements.
Practical Tips for Staying Hydrated As The Season Shifts:
Drink consistently throughout the day: small regular sips hydrates more efficiently than large quantities once or twice a day.
Measure how much water you drink in a day- Keep a water bottle on your desk or work area.
Reach for warmer beverages in the cooler months like tea or honey lemon warm water.
Switch from drinking cold water to room temperature water.
These simple practices can make a huge difference in how you feel, your energy levels, focus and productivity. Try one or try them all. And be sure to choose a clean source of drinking water like reverse osmosis, remineralized reverse osmosis or a good quality mineral water.
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