Staying Hydrated on the Go: Tips and Tricks for Using Your Metal Cup

Humans need water more than they need food. The body needs water to carry out many biochemical reactions. It helps maintain body temperature and blood circulation while stabilizing the heart and cushioning the joints. 

When the body lacks the necessary amount of water, it enters a state of dehydration. This dehydration can lead to more than just feeling thirsty. It can cause muscle cramps, fatigue, lightheadedness, constipation, and loss of appetite, significantly impacting your daily life. 

Each person’s water needs vary, so there is no formula for determining how much water a person should consume daily. However, there are easy ways to incorporate more water into any person’s daily routine. Once people know the importance of staying hydrated, they should use these tips to achieve that goal. 

What is the Fastest Way to Hydrate? 

The fastest way to hydrate is to drink more water every day. Water contains no sugar or calories, so a person can drink it without worrying they are harming the body in other ways. Nevertheless, some people lose more salt in their sweat than others. They frequently get muscle cramps or find their eyes sting when they sweat. 

Water may not be enough to rehydrate these men and women. They need to replace the electrolytes lost in the sweat. Sports drink manufacturers often offer packets to add to water to replenish electrolytes. Add a packet to the hydration bottle to replace the lost electrolytes and remain hydrated. 

Add Flavor to Plain Water

Many people don’t drink more water because it lacks taste. Adding natural flavors takes little time and effort. Chopped mint leaves or basil will give the water a savory flavor, while cucumber is a refreshing treat. 

Take bits of fruit or herbs left over from other dishes and freeze them in ice cubes. Add one or two ice cubes to a drink for a quick and delicious way to cool down and rehydrate the body. Lemon, lime, and orange are great flavors to add to water. A person can also mix things up by adding berries, pineapple, or melon to the water in the hydration bottle. 

Avoid Drinks That Dehydrate

Certain drinks dehydrate people rather than hydrate them. Coffee is one drink that people should consume in moderation. Sugary sodas, lemonade, and sweet tea work against hydration. The same holds for alcoholic beverages and energy drinks. The sugar, sodium, and other ingredients pull water from the tissues in the body. It’s okay to drink these beverages in moderation, but make up for the dehydrating effect by increasing water consumption. A hydration bottle helps with this. 

Replace Fluids Lost in Sweat

People know they need to drink water when exercising. However, they may consume less than they should. According to the American Council on Exercise, people need to spread out their water during a workout. 

The organization recommends drinking 17 to 20 ounces of water a few hours before exercising. Approximately 30 minutes before exercising, drink an additional eight ounces. While exercising, drink seven to ten ounces for every 20 minutes of physical activity. Follow up with another eight-ounce glass of water within 30 minutes of finishing the activity. Doing so helps prevent dehydration.

Set Hydration Reminders

When busy, people can easily forget to drink water. Many people today use hydration apps to remind them to do so. Men and women who own an Apple watch may want to try Waterllama. The app is free, although a person might want to pay the $8 lifetime fee for extra features. 

This app allows users to track all fluid consumption, including alcohol. Users can pick their favorite beverages so they spend less time logging their consumption. They only receive an alert if they don’t log their fluid consumption, and the app features character art. As a person logs their fluid intake, the art fills in. 

The app takes it a step further. When a person logs their fluid consumption, it shares information about the percentage of hydration received from the beverage and tracks the user’s hydration level throughout the day. However, some bottles also come with hydration markings, and many people today prefer to have the visual reminder in front of them. 

Know the Signs of Dehydration

Every person needs to know the signs of dehydration to act quickly if their body doesn’t have enough water. Sweating isn’t the only reason a person may become dehydrated, either. Vomiting, diarrhea, and certain diuretic medications can bring about this condition. 

Young children, older adults, individuals with kidney disease, and people with diabetes remain more prone to dehydration. However, anyone who is excessively thirsty or has a dry mouth may be dehydrated. Dry skin and tiredness are other signs of this common condition. When dehydrated, a person might feel dizzy and have a headache. They may also need to urinate less. 

Rehydrating the Body

When a person is dehydrated, they need to take in fluids. The body begins absorbing water in five minutes, with peak absorption taking up to 60 minutes. However, other factors also affect the time needed to rehydrate the body. These factors include the liquid consumed, the level of dehydration, and the cause of dehydration. 

Dehydration can make a person ill, and drinking water from a dirty cup may do the same. How might a person ensure they have clean water to drink? Properly cleaning the hydration bottle reduces the risk of consuming dirty water.

Cleaning a Hydration Bottle

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when cleaning a hydration bottle. Many companies today make bottles that go in the dishwasher, but this is not the case with all. Use dish soap and a bottle brush designed to get in any nooks and crannies in the bottle.

 Vinegar is another option when cleaning water bottles if dish soap isn’t available. It will remove any unpleasant odors, but leave the bottle open to rid it of the vinegar smell before refilling the hydration bottle with water. If the hydration bottle is stained or has build-up, use baking soda to clean it. To disinfect the bottle, use bleach. Follow up with a thorough cleaning before using the hydration bottle for beverages. 

Remaining hydrated is crucial to optimal human health. Use these tips to increase water consumption while making it more enjoyable. A visually appealing hydration bottle also helps encourage people to consume more of this beverage. Choose an attractive bottle today and see how it helps anyone achieve hydration goals.