Most of us like travelling when we are on vacation, and for many of us this is generally during the summer when the sun is high in the sky and the beaches are calling to us to come and swim, tan, and play beach volleyball.
Whether it is the British sunshine that you intend enjoying or are travelling abroad to warmer, sunnier climes, it is important that you top up on your fluid intake and make sure that you stay hydrated at all times, and this means drinking water, not just having fun in the sun with fizzy drinks and Mai Tais.
Warm weather will drive up your core body temperature, and even more so when you are dehydrated, as you will not be able to sweat if your body is short of water, and sweating is the way that your body control its core temperature.
If you do not hydrate your body regularly it can lead to over-heating and even heatstroke, which can make you feel warm, dizzy and disorientated. Children and the elderly are especially susceptible to heatstroke, as they do not feel the heat or sense that they are getting dehydrated so easily.
How to Stay Hydrated While Travelling
Some easy ways to make sure that you are getting sufficient liquids and staying fully hydrated and healthy in the summer heat include:
- Take bottles of water with you when travelling by car; take a smaller bottle per child and a larger one for each adult;
- Make sure that you drink sufficient water before flying – the air-conditioning during the flight can increase water evaporation from the skin;
- Make sure that if you are drinking alcohol you match each alcoholic drink with a glass of water;
- Always have fresh water available, even when you are relaxing in the garden or doing a few lengths in the pool;
- Remember to take some bottles of water with you in the cooler box when you go to the beach, as you may not be able to get fresh water where you go;
An easy way to monitor your hydration levels is to check the colour of your urine – the lighter your urine the more hydrated you are; the darker your urine the more dehydrated you are. Investing in a water cooler that can provide you with easy access to filtered, chilled drinking water that you can drink at home, in the office or use to fill your water bottles is also a good idea.
