Water Systems
The amount of water you should aim to consume a day depends on a variety of factors. Your weight, the climate, and your activity level all play a role in what is the “ideal” daily amount. Many say to aim for at least 8 8-oz. glasses, but ask yourself, when the last time you achieved that. Though it may seem excessive, the body really does need this much water in order to stay hydrated and function properly. Here are five quick and easy ways for staying hydrated in the summer.
Invest in a Good Water Bottle
Just as it is easy to mindlessly graze on snacks all day when they’re sitting on your desk, it is equally doable to hydrate your body when water is an arm’s reach away. Make it an unconscious act by bringing the bottle wherever you go, too. Heading out to run errands? Your water bottle should ride shotgun. Spending an hour pulling weeds in the backyard? You should have a bottle of water next to you. A top-quality bottle should be insulated to keep your water cool, with a convenient sip system so you can drink while on the move and keep up with your summer hydration.
Install a Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water System
Instead of relying on expensive bottled water service or crossing your fingers that your tap water is safe, invest in a reverse osmosis (RO) drinking water system, and you’ll enjoy purified water for a relatively inexpensive cost. Think about this: you can refill a 20-ounce water bottle 4,266 times for a grand total of $1 at national public water prices ($1.50 per 1,000 gallons). When you compare that to the cost of a typical 20-oz. bottle of water from the grocery store (about $1), it becomes clear that the purified tap in your home can save you a ton of money. And without the need for plastic bottles, it’s much better for the environment.
Eat Foods that Hydrate Your System
One of the easiest ways to stay hydrated is to add sufficient water intake by eating foods that are high in water content. Keep in mind that you don’t have to drink 60 or more ounces of water per day; you simply have to consume the required amount, and that can come from foods, too. Fruit, vegetables, dairy products like yogurt and milk, and other whole foods often contain significant amounts of water. Foods high in water include cucumbers, tomatoes, watermelon, grapes, and strawberries, all which are in season during the summer months—making them perfect for staying hydrated in the summer.
Add a Cup of Tea to Your Nighttime Routine
Herbal teas, especially those with chamomile, lavender, peppermint, magnolia bark, valerian root, or lemon balm can safely and effectively calm you down at night and promote better sleep. And by adding a cup of soothing tea to your pre-bed ritual, you’ll add 8-10 ounces of water to your daily totals. Add that up for a full year, and that’s about 28 gallons of water you’ll add to your system to help flush out impurities, feed cellular activity, stay hydrated, and balance out mood.
Drink a Full Glass of Water Before Meals
Right before meals, take a few minutes to down a full glass of cool water. This serves two important purposes. First, you’ll find that you will likely consume fewer calories during your meal after drinking a glass of water. Second, you’ll make sure to add at least eight ounces of water to your evening totals to stay hydrated. It may not seem like much, but missing your daily hydration target by just a few cups of water can make a significant impact on your overall energy level, health, wellness, and mood.
Consuming enough water, especially for staying hydrated in the summer, is incredibly important for keeping you and your family healthy. For more information about in-home water filtration that can help deliver purified water at affordable prices, contact De Anza Water Conditioning today.
