I look forward to the sultry heat of the summer all year long, and when it arrives I rejoice. However, if I haven’t been paying attention, the heat can at times make me feel sluggish and listless. Fortunately the top energy thief is not hard to track down! It is dehydration.
Dehydration zaps our energy faster than almost anything else, so if you start to feel sluggish, headachy, or dizzy, it very likely is a sign that your body is crying out for water. The solution is simple: Stay Hydrated!! Here are some easy ways to make sure your body always has all of the liquid it needs...
Dehydration zaps our energy faster than almost anything else, so if you start to feel sluggish, headachy, or dizzy, it very likely is a sign that your body is crying out for water. The solution is simple: Stay Hydrated!! Here are some easy ways to make sure your body always has all of the liquid it needs...
#1 Water! Water! Water!
Aim for 8-10 cups of water per day. Tea (even some herbal), coffee, soda, and alcohol are all dehydrating, so water is really your go-to solution.
Find plain water boring? Add lemon or lime juice along with a few drops of stevia and you will have a refreshing, sweetened beverage which is also alkalizing for your body… a win-win!
Thirst is a sign that your body is already dehydrated so sip water throughout the day to avoid stressing your system.
#2 Add water-dense foods.
Some examples would include watermelon, cucumber, celery, cantaloupe, peaches, strawberries, and carrots.
#3 Chia seeds.
Because chia seeds absorb approximately 10 times their weight in water, they are a wonderful way to help regulate body fluid levels and retain electrolytes, both key in the battle against dehydration. For long workouts in high heat and humidity, chia seeds are a handy way to prolong hydration.
#4 Stay away from commercial sports drinks.
When active outdoors stay away from sports drinks which are very high in sugar and usually come with many artificial additives. Instead keep your electrolytes up with coconut water or try one of the homemade sports drinks listed below.
Aim for 8-10 cups of water per day. Tea (even some herbal), coffee, soda, and alcohol are all dehydrating, so water is really your go-to solution.
Find plain water boring? Add lemon or lime juice along with a few drops of stevia and you will have a refreshing, sweetened beverage which is also alkalizing for your body… a win-win!
Thirst is a sign that your body is already dehydrated so sip water throughout the day to avoid stressing your system.
#2 Add water-dense foods.
Some examples would include watermelon, cucumber, celery, cantaloupe, peaches, strawberries, and carrots.
#3 Chia seeds.
Because chia seeds absorb approximately 10 times their weight in water, they are a wonderful way to help regulate body fluid levels and retain electrolytes, both key in the battle against dehydration. For long workouts in high heat and humidity, chia seeds are a handy way to prolong hydration.
#4 Stay away from commercial sports drinks.
When active outdoors stay away from sports drinks which are very high in sugar and usually come with many artificial additives. Instead keep your electrolytes up with coconut water or try one of the homemade sports drinks listed below.
Three Homemade Sports Drinks
These are a much healthier option for your body than any of the artificial, mass-produced drinks.
The first recipe comes from Lauren at Empowered Sustenance and you may be interested in checking out the benefits she listed for each of the ingredients here on her page.
Tulsi Twist
8 cups filtered water
6 teaspoons loose tulsi tea or 6 tea bags
3 Tbs. raw honey (or more to taste)
Big pinch of unrefined salt such as Celtic or Himalayan
15 drops trace minerals (approximately), optional but recommended
From Empowered Sustenance
Citrus Zing
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1½ to 2 cups water, depending on how strong you want the flavor
1/8 teaspoon of sea salt
approx. 2 tablespoons raw honey, to taste
Toss everything into a food blender and blend until the honey is dissolved, or blend it by hand using a whisk. Pour over ice and enjoy.
**Lightly adapted from Everyday Roots
Herbal Cooler
The first recipe comes from Lauren at Empowered Sustenance and you may be interested in checking out the benefits she listed for each of the ingredients here on her page.
Tulsi Twist
8 cups filtered water
6 teaspoons loose tulsi tea or 6 tea bags
3 Tbs. raw honey (or more to taste)
Big pinch of unrefined salt such as Celtic or Himalayan
15 drops trace minerals (approximately), optional but recommended
From Empowered Sustenance
Citrus Zing
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1½ to 2 cups water, depending on how strong you want the flavor
1/8 teaspoon of sea salt
approx. 2 tablespoons raw honey, to taste
Toss everything into a food blender and blend until the honey is dissolved, or blend it by hand using a whisk. Pour over ice and enjoy.
**Lightly adapted from Everyday Roots
Herbal Cooler
- 4 cups herbal tea (Citrus flavored or a zinger style tea would work well)
- 2 - 4 tablespoons raw honey or maple syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon Celtic or Himalayan salt
- a few drops of trace minerals (optional)
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