The average adult is made up of 55 to 60% water—that’s over half! No wonder it’s so easy to feel dehydrated in the heat of the summer! Since we’re made up of so much water, it’s important to make sure we’re drinking enough water throughout the day. (Spoiler alert: you probably aren’t!)
In the intense heat we experience in the middle of summer, it’s important to drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration and overheating of the body. Keeping your body temperature regulated as much as possible in the heat is also important to staying healthy in the summer! Drinking plenty of water can also help prevent or treat headaches and boost both brain function and physical performance. As a bonus, reaching your daily water intake is a great way to boost your metabolism and ensure you lose weight and keep it off, especially when your body is mistaking hunger for thirst!
When it comes to how much water to drink each day, some recommend using the 8×8 rule (8, 8 ounce glasses of water per day). Sixty-four ounces is definitely better than nothing and is a good rule of thumb, but most experts actually advise a more specialized approach — and it’s easy to calculate! All you have to do is take your body weight and multiply it by 0.67 (or ⅔). The number you’re left with is the number of ounces of water you should drink in a given day!
Hitting this mark for water intake is important for your overall health any time of year, but it’s especially important during the hotter seasons because dehydration develops so quickly. Usually there are some pretty telling signs that it’s time to reach for some water; the most common symptoms of dehydration include: fatigue, dry mouth, increased thirst, dry skin, dizziness, headache, lightheadedness, excessive thirst, rapid heart rate and blood pressure, and lack of sweat. If you or someone you’re with experiences these symptoms, get some water and a place to cool off! If the symptoms worsen, seek medical attention right away.
While there’s no substitute for regular, high-quality, H2O, there are some fun carbonated and flavored options available at Nature’s Wonders for you to try to supplement your water consumption! Next time you’re in Branson or Harrison, stop by and see what we have to offer!
