The College Student’s Guide to Hydration

March 26, 2020

When you read various tips on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle, hydration is one of the most important things to consider. Your body is dependent on water. If you don’t supply it with enough hydration, you’ll feel tired and sleepy all the time. Your skin will become dry, too.

A doctor will easily recognize the symptoms of dehydration. But you shouldn’t get to the point of visiting a doctor because of excessive and continuous fatigue. You should stay hydrated all the time!

Do you drink the commonly recommended eight glasses of water per day? Is that enough for your system?

Let’s start with this detailed hydration guide, so you’ll know how to stay hydrated.

Guide for Students: How to Stay Hydrated

1. Figure Out How Much Water You Need

The rule of eight glasses is not based on facts. It’s a common recommendation. But the truth is that each person has different needs, depending on their sex, fitness activities, and age. The weather makes tons of difference, too. We need more water when the temperatures rise.

According to one study, the adequate daily intake of water is 2.7 liters per day for women, and 3.7 liters per day for men. But since you get water through food as well, the recommendation is to drink 9 glasses (2.2 liters) if you’re a woman and 13 glasses (3 liters) if you’re a man.

This is a recommendation for people with a normal body mass index and a moderate level of daily exercise. If you’re above it, you’ll need more water. If you’re under it, your body needs less. If you exercise a lot, you should increase your water intake.    

2. Have a Glass of Water as Soon as You Wake Up

I know… you want coffee. The scent of fresh coffee in the morning makes you happy. Don’t worry; you can still have your morning cup of coffee. However, you should start the day with a glass of water first.

After a night of sleep, your body is ready to get some hydration.

3. Use an App to Track Your Daily Intake

You can promise yourself to drink more water on a daily basis, but a “note to self” may soon be forgotten. It’s exactly what happens when you promise to yourself that you’ll start an essay on time, but you click resources for academic writing right before the deadline. It’s important to make a commitment and have a reminder about it.

There are multiple apps that help you log the daily intake of water. Choose one, and start tracking each glass of water that you’ll drink. This will help you develop a habit. The app will send reminders when you’re not doing your best. 

4. Take Your Water Along

You spend long hours in the lecture hall. Staying hydrated is important for your focus. Take your anti-bottle with you. Yes; you need an anti-bottle instead of a plastic bottle. This is a refillable package for multiple uses. You can have fresh water with you without causing any damage to the environment.

5. You Need Fruits and Veggies, Too

Have you noticed that athletes drink a colored fluid instead of plain water? That drink contains electrolytes, which are an essential source of hydration for the body. Some of the most important electrolytes include magnesium, calcium, and potassium.

But you don’t have to buy sports drinks. They aren’t necessary, since water is still the essential fluid that you should drink. You don’t have to be meticulous about tracking electrolytes from your diet. As long as you’re getting enough veggies and fruits, you’ll be good. Eating tons of fresh vegetables and fruits is one of the essential hydration methods, right after drinking water. 

Listen to Your Body

Your body has its way to show you that it needs more water. You don’t necessarily have to feel thirst. If you feel tired or sleepy, have a glass of water. It’s an easy thing to do. And if you do feel thirsty, don’t reach out for soda. Drink water; it’s the only fluid that you really need.

Using an app helps you develop a habit. Once you notice that you’re meeting your daily needs without needing its recommendation, you’ll no longer need it.

It’s crazy how students forget one of their basic needs: drinking water. They would rather rely on beer or soda to get their fluids. But those drinks also fill you up with sugar and ingredients that aren’t good for your body. Drink water!
 

BIO: Sandra Larson is trying to raise awareness about healthy lifestyle among students. She noticed that most students neglect the needs of their body. Through her blogs, Sandra inspires them to exercise and eat well.