6 Essential Tips to Stay Hydrated While Traveling

 

Hydrating properly is crucial, even more so when traveling. It’s often overlooked, but it plays a key role in our overall health and well-being. Water helps our bodies perform all sorts of important tasks. Without enough of it, our health and mood can suffer, which might spoil our travel experience. 

In a survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 43% of adults reported drinking less than four cups of water a day, which is less than half the generally recommended amount. So, let’s look at some effective tips to keep us hydrated while traveling.

#1 Always Carry a Reusable Water Bottle

You should always carry a bottle. Not just any bottle, of course: a reusable one. Water stations are popping up in parks, airports, and city centers. They’re good for two reasons:

• Environmental Impact: By using reusable water bottles, we can cut down on plastic waste. More than 1 million plastic bottles are bought every minute worldwide. Fight the waste!
• Cost-effectiveness: Filling up a bottle is usually cheaper than buying bottled water. This saves money for more travel fun!

#2 Opting for Boxed Water

Have you thought about boxed water? It’s an innovative newcomer shaking up the hydration game, offering a fresh and sustainable alternative to the common plastic bottles we are all so familiar with. The rising awareness of environmental concerns has pushed for alternatives that reduce our carbon footprint, thus ushering in the age of boxed water.

• Sustainability: What makes it sustainable and better for the environment? The secret lies in the container. Unlike bottles, which often end up in landfills, the package of boxed water is made out of cardboard – a material that is highly recyclable, with a recycling rate of 90% in the United States.
• Eco-friendly: The use of recyclable cardboard to package water drastically reduces the amount of waste produced, making boxed water a genuinely eco-friendly alternative. In fact, 76.3% of boxes and cardboard containers end up being recycled, compared to only 9% percent of plastic bottles.
• Availability: Concerned about where to acquire this sustainable hydration partner? No need to worry. Boxed water is increasing in visibility, and you can typically find it at local retailers. If it’s not available locally, online platforms like Amazon have got you covered.

#3 Eating Hydrating Foods

Food can help too. Many fruits and veggies are packed full of water. Delight yourself with these hydrating food examples:

• Watermelon: More than 90% water. Sweet gourmet hydration!
• Cucumbers: Also over 90% water. Crunchy freshness!
• Grapes: Tiny globes of hydration. Around 80% water.

They’re delicious, easy to pack, and perfect for travel!

#4 Avoiding Dehydrating Beverages

You should be careful with the beverages. Alcohol and caffeine are tricky. 

While they may seem to quench our thirst initially, they have diuretic properties, causing our bodies to lose liquids at a faster rate. As an alarming fact, habitual caffeine intake can lead to mild to severe dehydration, and alcohol is also a well-known factor contributing to dehydration.

Remember, chronic mild dehydration can lead to health problems, including constipation, kidney stones, and an imbalance in your electrolyte levels, potentially impacting your overall health.

Instead, healthier drinks can help you maintain optimal hydration levels. Herbal tea and coconut water are excellent choices. They contain electrolytes and have been recognized for their natural hydration benefits.

• Herbal tea: Few people realize the benefits of herbal tea. Certain types, like chamomile or mint tea, can increase your water intake and soothe your body and mind.
• Coconut water: Called “Nature’s Gatorade”, coconut water is a natural electrolyte-rich drink that provides similar benefits to sports drinks but without the added refined sugars and artificial flavorings.

#5 Staying Mindful of Climate and Activity Level

Climate and physical activities greatly influence how much water your body needs to function optimally.

• Extreme climates: If you face a hot, dry, and arid environment or engage in outdoor activities under the sweltering sun, your body is bound to lose more water than usual through sweating. Don’t let this catch you off-guard, and make sure to drink enough liquids to stay hydrated.
• High altitude: Are you visiting a high-altitude destination? These places can also speed up water loss, as they tend to have lower air pressure and lower humidity levels. In turn, this triggers faster rates of fluid loss through perspiration and respiration.
• Increased activity: Participating in sports or other physically demanding activities during your travels also ups the ante on your water intake. Engaging in such activities can increase your body’s water loss through sweat and higher metabolic rates.

#6 Using Hydration Apps or Reminders

Try hydration apps or simply set reminders on your phone to drink water regularly. A little technological aid can help you maintain a healthy hydration level during your journey.

Final Thoughts

Traveling is fun but remember to keep hydrated. It affects our health and mood and improves our overall travel experience. No matter where your journey takes you, don’t forget your hydration needs