Staying hydrated is easier said than done, and that’s especially true when traveling. If you’re not careful, you could soon find yourself dehydrated. And should that happen, it’ll kill your good time while also taking a toll on your health.
All of this leads to an important question: what’s the best way to stay hydrated when traveling?
While there’s no right or wrong answer, there are a variety of steps you can take to stay on top of things.
Contents
1. TAKE WATER WHEREVER YOU GO
This is the most basic thing you can do. Regardless of where you’re going for the day — from a hike to the beach — take plenty of water with you. Once you get into the habit of doing so, it’ll soon become second nature.
Tip: you still need to stay hydrated when it’s cooler outside. Don’t assume that cold weather protects you against dehydration. You can sweat in cold weather just the same as hot weather.
2. DON’T BE AFRAID TO REST
When traveling, many people don’t want to take breaks. You’re always on the go because you want to make the most of your time. While there’s nothing wrong with that, it’s critical that you rest every now and again. It’ll help you maintain your mind and body.
Tip: schedule rests throughout your day, when possible, to ensure that you don’t skip over this. For example, if you’re going to spend the day at the beach, block off an hour or so to return to your room so you can hydrate and get some rest. It can do wonders for your health and mental well-being.
3. FIND SHADE AWAY FROM THE SUN
If at all possible, seek shade when you’re resting. When you can’t make your way indoors, find a tree that provides ample shade. The last thing you want to do is set yourself up in the direct sunlight.
Tip: take this into consideration as you schedule your day. For instance, if you’ll be at the beach all day, how will you find shade? Will you rent an umbrella? Are there any public areas that offer the shade you’ll need?
4. AVOID CAFFEINE & ALCOHOL
A drink is a drink, right? Well, not when it comes to staying hydrated. The more caffeine and/or alcohol you drink, the greater chance there is that you’ll become dehydrated.
So, if you know you’re going to be in the sun — which puts stress on your body — avoid these types of beverages. You’ll be glad that you did when the sun starts beating down on you.
Tip: if you need to drink caffeine or alcohol for any reason, do your best to counteract it with plenty of water. For example, if you have a cup of coffee before your day begins, follow it up with a glass of water or another hydrating beverage.
5. WATER ISN’T THE ONLY WAY TO STAY HYDRATED
Drinking water is the most common way of staying hydrated, but it’s far from your only option.
Do you like sports drinks? How about juice that comes directly from fruit, such as oranges?
Get creative with the way that you stay hydrated. The more options you find — both food and drinks — the easier it becomes to feel your best at all times.
Tip: make a list of any foods and drinks you can consume to stay hydrated. This will allow you to turn to those that are most appealing to you when the time comes.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Staying hydrated when you’re in your comfort zone is generally an easy task. In fact, depending on where you are, you may even have access to advanced technology.
But things can get a bit more complicated when you’re on the go.
You don’t have the water softeners in San Diego that have become so popular, or the water filtration systems that have made Cary, NC the best city in the U.S. for water quality. Instead, you need to get creative to ensure that you have regular access to clean water.
The next time you find yourself planning a trip, consider the benefits of staying hydrated. By implementing one or more of the tips above, you shouldn’t run into too many challenges with this.
Do you have any other tips for staying hydrated when traveling? Have you ever fallen short to the point of it causing you harm?
