The summer months in Arizona are long and draining on our bodies. The truth is, most people do not drink enough water when it’s hot out. Eating the wrong foods that are high in sodium and fat can also lead to dehydration. Here are some tips for keeping water and energy levels up for the rest of summer.
Dehydration leads to Decreased Energy
Water doesn’t just quench your thirst; it is crucial for keeping energy levels up. Water plays important roles in keeping the body healthy. When your body lacks the proper amounts, some metabolic processes may be affected, which leads to fatigue and headaches.
Water plays a major role in the digestive system.
Think of the digestive system as your internal plumbing. When your plumbing is backed up, you feel bloated and sluggish. Water is like lubrication for your internal organs. It helps moves toxins out of the body by flushing toxins through the GI and urinary tract.
Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables is the best way to naturally detox. These types of food have natural antioxidants that bind to free radical toxins and neutralize them. Drinking lots of water will help you flush those free radicals out.
Dehydration slows down cognitive function and causes headaches.
No one has much energy when they have a headache or a migraine. The key to preventing headaches and concentration impairment is to drink water before you feel thirsty. Your body is usually already depleted by the time you feel the urge to drink come on. It’s best to aim for 8-10 sips of water every hour to be sure you are properly hydrated in the hot summer months.
Water helps with weight loss.
Putting on a few extra pounds may have been easy to hide in the winter months when everyone is covered up with sweaters. But in the summer, those few extra pounds can really tire you out.
According to a 2010 study published in Obesity, dieters who drank half a liter of water approximately 30 minutes before eating a meal lost close to 44 percent more weight over a timeframe of twelve weeks. This shows that drinking water 30 minutes before a meal can trick your mind into thinking your less hungry than you actually are.
Other Energy Boosting Tips
In addition to drinking more water, here are a few more tips to staying light and energized throughout the summer.
1. Eat smaller meals throughout the day as opposed to three larger ones.
Feeding your body smaller portions of food frequently throughout the day is great for your energy levels. Eating every two hours means you always have food in your system to give you energy.
In addition, your digestive system will thank you. It takes more work for your GI tract to break down larger portions of food. If you constantly feel sluggish after meals, you might be eating too much and overtaxing your digestive system.
2. Try a natural body cleanse
There is no better way to reenergize than by getting toxins out and resetting your system, so to speak. Even a three day cleanse should help restore energy levels. Start each morning with a full glass of water. It may also help you drop some inches and feel more confident in your swim suit!
3. Swap out your morning cup of coffee
It may seem counterproductive to omit caffeine from your diet first thing in the morning when you are trying to wake up. But according to a 2013 study, drinking coffee first thing in the morning depletes energy levels.
The best way to energize in the morning is by fuelling your body correctly. Try drinking a glass of purified water first thing in the morning, following up a bowl of outcall or whole-grain cereal.
4. Keep a journal to record your eating habits
Your diet may be the reason you feel so sluggish this summer. Keep a journal of the foods you eat and the way they make you feel after eating them. Also be sure to write down the time of day you ate the meal and when it made you feel sluggish. Some people may feel the affects right away while others may feel it a few hours after eating the food. Each person processes food differently.
5. Take your B Vitamins Daily
B vitamins are involved in energy production. You can get your daily dosage of B vitamins by taking a multivitamin which also has other vitamins crucial for proper body function.