When & How to Hydrate Your Body

The 5 Best Times To Hydrate During the Day

There’s nothing like water to help you stay active and refreshed after a heavy workout or running after the kids. If you’re wondering how and when to hydrate, a few handy tips can help you make the most of your daily water intake.

When you hydrate at the right time, you stand to reap some of the best health benefits associated with drinking water. You can sip it anytime of the day, of course, but loading up on this essence of life during certain activities really gives your body that extra fuel.

How to Hydrate for Maximum Benefit

1. After waking up

Trying to muster energy to get the kids dressed, fed and dropped to school? While all you may want is your dose of caffeine, it’s essential to drink two glasses of water after waking up. Not only does it hydrate your body after a good night’s sleep, but it also triggers your internal organs to begin their cleansing functions. You’ll feel more awake and refreshed too.

2. Before a Workout

Hydrating before a good workout will keep you from drying out and feeling thirsty. Sip around 12 ounces before you start your session and keep sipping during the exercise as per the intensity of the activity. If you decide on running in cool weather, consume a 16-ounce bottle per hour. And if the temperature rises, drink around two-four bottles. If you don’t drink enough water, you will understand what hydration is (and just how much your body needs it) the hard way!

3. Before a Meal

After you cook a delicious meal for your family, take a breather and drink a glass of water 30 minutes before you start eating. This will aid digestion and keep you feeling a little full – a terrific idea if you have a tendency to overeat. Try to get your husband and children to do the same. The sooner they get into the habit of drinking water, the better. What’s more, this is one hydration tip that’s super-easy to follow.

Before a Workout

4. Before Sleeping

Health experts often debate whether drinking water at bedtime actually helps your health. Well, if you’re thirsty or haven’t fulfilled your quota of water for the day, you sure can complete it at night. Plus, your body can start detoxifying itself. An uncomfortable side effect may be waking up to go to the loo. If you want to avoid that, try to drink water around one or two hours before going to bed.

5. When Taking Medicines

This is one hydration advice that many skip on account of not feeling thirsty enough. While it may seem cool to pop pills without water, it is unhealthy! Water helps your kidneys flush out medicines so they go down smoothly. Do ensure you never take medicines with liquids other than water. Only water is safe with medicines as it doesn’t contain anything that can negatively affect how medicines are absorbed.

Our bodies are made up of about 60 percent of water. Without this life-giving substance, our organs, tissues and cells wouldn’t be able to function properly. Figure out when to hydrate and follow a set pattern to cut down trips to the doctor and instances of calling in sick at work!

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