What about getting dehydrated throughout the winter? Are you kidding me? Who among us gets dehydrated during the colder months? It must only be possible to become dehydrated when it is extremely hot outside or when one is engaging in a particularly strenuous form of physical activity, right?
If you assumed, like I did, that there is no possibility that you could ever become dehydrated during the frigid winter months, you would be extremely mistaken! If you did think that, you shouldn’t feel guilty about it because the majority of people have the same thinking!
The issue is not that we do not become dehydrated during the winter months; rather, the issue is that very few people recognise the signs of dehydration during the winter, which can be very dangerous.
Why Many of Us Do Not Recognize That We Are Dehydrated During the Winter
When we start to become dehydrated during the warm summer months, our bodies trigger a thirst response, and the majority of the time, this is what brings to our attention the fact that we need to drink water or another type of fluid in order to replace the fluids that have been lost from our bodies.
The body does not respond in the same manner during the cold winter months; the brain reacts differently in colder temperatures, and does not elicit a thirst response. Because of this, many people do not realise that they are becoming dehydrated until it is too late.
“Fluid balance in our bodies often relies on the stimulation of thirst, resulting in voluntary fluid intake,” says Robert Kenefick, associate professor of kinesiology at the University of New Hampshire. Kenefick’s research was published in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. “Fluid balance in our bodies often relies on the stimulation of thirst,” says Kenefick. “The kidneys are also responsible for conserving or excreting water.” Hormones that regulate fluid levels, such as plasma argentine vasopressin (AVP), are responsible for mediating this process.
[Research conducted on the effects of cold weather at the University of New Hampshire]
According to Kenfick, vasoconstriction occurs when it is chilly outside; as a result, the body restricts the flow of blood to the body’s extremities in an effort to reduce the amount of heat that is lost (which is why our fingers, nose and toes get so cold in the winter). Because of this, the blood volume at the core of the body increases, and as a result, the brain is unable to recognise a decrease in blood volume and therefore is unable to secrete the AVP hormone. This results in the kidneys producing less urine than normal. This results in an imbalance of fluids and a loss of hydration.
Because our bodies add moisture to the air during inhalation, we are able to observe our own breath during exhalation. This indicates that we are losing a significant amount of body fluid, and we need to drink water to replenish it so that we can maintain a healthy level of hydration throughout our bodies.
One of the issues is that when conditions are dry or the altitude is high, a person’s sweat rapidly transforms into vapour rather than accumulating on the skin. This is one of the reasons why certain skiers frequently appear as though they are steaming when they come off the slopes. The evaporation of their sweat has already occurred, and it gives the impression that there is steam present.
How to Keep Yourself Hydrated During the Colder Months
Whether it is summer or winter, you should always make sure to stay hydrated by drinking water. If your body is dehydrated, it will not perform as well as it should. Be on the lookout for symptoms of dehydration such as fatigue, dizziness, an elevated heart rate, urine that is a dark yellow colour, aching and stiff joints, dry eyes and mucous membranes.
If it is too cold to drink water, consider drinking tea or water that has been heated to boiling with a squeeze of lemon or a teabag added. Drinking water regularly in the winter is just as important as it is in the summer. Tea made from green leaves is both energising and beneficial to one’s health.
If you work somewhere that has a water cooler that provides ice-cold, room temperature, and hot water options, you will definitely consume more water during the colder months as well as the warmer months.
