Author: Courtney Swan, Integrative Nutritionist | @realfoodology

My Top 4 Tips for Staying Hydrated this Summer and Beyond

With summer comes higher temps, which means more sweating, leading to an increase in loss of hydration! The body is roughly 60% water and relies heavily on it for many bodily functions. Staying hydrated is crucial to regulating body temperature, keeping organs functioning, delivering nutrients to the cells and it even helps maintain glowy, dewy skin! Maybe best of all, it helps with sleep quality, hormonal balance, maintaining a good mood and brain cognition. When you’re dehydrated, energy slumps, hair becomes brittle, digestion slows and skin looks dull.

Tips for staying hydrated:

• This may sound like a no-brainer but drink water that tastes good to you! You will drink more water if you like the taste of it. Trust me, I struggle with drinking enough water some days but it’s always easier when it tastes crisp and clean! I find myself drinking a lot more water when I drink ZenWTR Alkaline water because I genuinely love the clean taste.  

• Make sure you never leave the house without a bottle of water, this will help you drink more. I am reminded to drink more water when I always have a bottle with me. If you’re exercising or doing some sort of outdoor activity, bring enough water with you! I recommend getting a good hiking backpack and bringing your water along in that. I love the 1 liter (33.8oz) ZenWTR for on-the-go because it’s the ideal size and amount. The full liter is a substantial amount of water, but not so huge so it fits perfectly in my car cupholder and after just 2 bottles I have almost hit my daily water intake goal. I also really love the wide mouth, it feels good to drink from!

• Forget "the 8-cup rule", figure out exactly how much your body needs daily. General rule of thumb is to take your weight, divide it in half and that is the number of ounces you should drink a day. If you are participating in more strenuous activity, your needs will depend on your age, body type, sweat rate, the weather, the activity itself as well as its intensity level and duration. I always advise my clients to drink about half a liter of water per hour of moderate activity in moderate temperatures. You should increase the amount of water you drink as the temperature and intensity of your activity goes up. 

• Make it a habit to drink water first thing in the morning before anything else. We often get dehydrated during the night so replenishing your water stores in the morning will help you with energy to start your day! I recommend leaving a bottle by your bed or in the bathroom or kitchen so you see it first thing when you get up and are getting ready for your day!

You may be wondering what exactly is Alkaline water?! It refers to the pH level of the water. pH level measures how acidic or alkaline a substance is on a scale from 0 to 14. A pH of 1 would be very acidic whereas something with a pH of 13 would be very alkaline. Too much acid in the body can lead to inflammation and drinking alkaline water may help neutralize acid in the body. Studies have shown that drinking alkaline water after a workout may help you hydrate quicker! I am also a fan of the benefits that advocates of alkaline water tout, such as: anti-aging, colon-cleansing, hydration, skin health, detoxifying and supporting the immune system.

Besides the clean, crisp taste, and Alkaline pH, ZenWTR’s benefits go beyond health and hydration. They are the world's first and only beverage made from 100% recycled, certified ocean-bound plastic. Every bottle is made from up to 5 plastic bottles that would have otherwise ended up in our precious oceans. The bottles themselves are also recyclable, including the labels and the caps. Even the ink is a special washable ink that makes them easier to use when recycled! 

I love that this brand is actively helping to prevent ocean pollution and that is why I am celebrating World Oceans Day on June 8 with them!