Travel Dehydration: 5+ Ways to Consume More Water

February 22, 2021

“It is better to travel well than to arrive.” -Buddha

A true travel junkie would understand this feeling. If you too are one of those who are as excited for the travel part of it- train journeys, flights, road trips and layovers, as much you are to explore the final destination, you would relate to this. But are you travelling well? If you enjoy the aforementioned things, you must plan for them just as intricately as you plan your travel itinerary. But often we miss out on little things that are really important.

Hydration is one such thing. It is like breathing, we only realize it in its absence. It is crucial to keep your water drinking habits in check especially during travel, as it is something easily forgettable. Most people feel it is only necessary to drink water when you feel extreme thirst, but it is not so. Travellers are at high risk of getting dehydrated due to all the activeness travel demands. Hence, it is necessary to integrate hydration boosting habits while travelling. Since buying single-use drinking water bottles at every stop is not an ideal 21^st-century habit, you need to plan your travel hydration to avoid buying them. Here are some simple ways you can keep your body hydrated during travel:

1. Carry a Re-usable Water Bottle

Carrying a reusable bottle is the new normal. Gone are the days when you would leave a trail of plastic bottles behind you as you travel. Carrying a bottle also reminds you to stay hydrated and to keep refilling the bottle. It keeps you conscious of how much water you have consumed. There are water refill stations available at public places everywhere for convenience. It is the smart hydration option while travelling.

2. Eat Your Water

While travelling, it might not always be possible to have drinking water at your disposal all the time. There may be situations where you may be in shortage of drinking water. It is, therefore, better to not depend on water altogether for your hydration needs. Be smart with your food choices, eat fruits and fresh vegetables like spinach, cucumber, tomatoes, etc. Include such foods with high water content while travelling to keep your overall hydration in check.

3. Flavour Your Water

Do you also feel like what’s the big deal with drinking water? It’s an uninteresting task. Take a break from drinking regular water and flavor your water. You can flavour your water with cucumber, mint, ginger, lemon, etc. to give it a twist. Flavouring your water with fresh herbs, fruits, and vegetables also adds nutrients to your water and replenishes your body with essential salts and electrolytes. It also makes you feel refreshed and gives you that boost you need during travel. 

4. Install a Tracker/ Reminder App

Even if you don’t track your water drinking habits or feel the need for a reminder to drink water you should download these helpful apps for the duration of your travel. Even if you are someone who has their hydration game in check, you still should consider having this while travel. People tend to drink less water during travel as they are too engaged and excited during this time. You might not realize how hydrated you might be, so it is a good idea to have an app that pings you at intervals to remind you of the essentials while you are enjoying. 

5. Drink Before You Order

One of the most exciting parts of travel is trying out local cuisines. A major part of your travel will be spent eating out at eateries. It is therefore a good strategy to always drink water before you order food. This technique will make sure you don’t forget to drink water. It is also a good practice to drink water before or after a meal as it improves digestion. Plus, it’s free of cost.

6. Drink Native Drinks

Just like local food, every place offers local drinks too, which travellers often overlook. Go beyond exploring local alcohols, and explore non-alcoholic native drinks which are hydrating unlike the achoholic ones. Some examples are the Matcha tea from Japan, Vietnamese egg soda, egg cream from New York, and chai from India. Keep sipping on these drinks while you travel and you get a taste of the culture while being hydrated.

Travel is a carefree time where you do not want to be burdened by any responsibilities. But it is important to keep your health in check to avoid any health-related hindrances in your travel. And dehydration is the most common problem tourists face as the sudden change in climate could affect your water drinking habits. It is therefore important to be aware of this habit.

Author’s Bio: Lexi Edwards is an academic writer at Global Assignment Help. She is an expert in science and a travel junkie. She enjoys reading and writing lifestyle blogs in her free time.