When you think about the risks of dehydration, you likely think about ensuring that you stay hydrated when it’s hot outside. However, hydration is critical to consider year-round because your body needs water to function properly. Learn the importance of hydration for your health as well as tips and tricks for staying hydrated in the winter.

The Impact of Dehydration on Overall Health

Hydration is crucial to your body’s overall health. Not only is it necessary when you are outdoors in warm weather to prevent conditions like heat stroke, but it is also important for the everyday functionality of your body. Our bodies are 60% water, meaning that keeping our bodies hydrated can have detrimental effects to our health.

Staying hydrated can help with critical functions such as regulating our body temperature, keeping our joints lubricated, delivering nutrients, and keeping our organs functional. When we are dehydrated, some of these functions become compromised. It is generally assumed that humans can only survive for three days without water, which further emphasizes the importance of staying hydrated. Without adequate water intake, we can suffer from symptoms such as muscle cramps, dry skin, and headaches.

Tips for Staying Hydrated

It can be difficult to stay hydrated when it’s cold out. Our bodies don’t crave water when it's cold out the same way that they do when it's hot out. However, it is vital to take responsibility for your hydration in the winter to ensure you stay healthy. Here are some tips for staying hydrated this winter:

• Drink warm liquids: Although you may not crave an ice-cold glass of water in the winter, drinking warm beverages such as tea can help you increase your daily water intake and warm you up!
• Purchase a big water bottle: carrying around a large water bottle can help you stay hydrated on the go, and help you track your daily water intake.
• Consume foods with high water content: In the winter, consuming soups with lots of broth can help you increase your water intake with no extra effort. Just make sure you are careful with the sodium content.
• Add flavor to your water: Adding electrolyte packets or water flavor packets can help make water more enticing and help you reach your water intake goals.
• Be mindful of alcohol intake: Alcohol causes dehydration. If you are drinking alcohol, ensure you are balancing alcohol intake with extra water intake.
• Listen to your body: your body will tell you when it needs water by making you thirsty. Staying ahead of the curve and increasing your daily water intake can help reduce daily quenches for thirst.

Visit AFC Urgent Care For Preventative Healthcare Services on a Walk-In Basis

Staying hydrated is critical for an abundance of reasons. Not only can we suffer from unpleasant symptoms due to dehydration, but staying hydrated can also delay illness recovery. At AFC Urgent Care, our board-certified healthcare professionals can provide a variety of preventative healthcare services, such as evaluating your hydration habits. Simply walk into our clinic, or schedule an appointment online.

At AFC Urgent Care Braintree, we believe in preventing illness as much as possible. That is why we offer a variety of preventative healthcare services when it’s convenient for you. We accept most medical insurance plans and offer low-cost care options for patients paying out of pocket. Don’t put your health on the back burner this winter. Visit AFC Urgent Care Braintree today. For additional information about our clinic, please contact us directly by calling 781-848-2273.