(BPT) – Staying hydrated is a necessity, but sometimes it’s difficult to tell when your body needs water, especially during warmer months. Experts say on average men need 15 cups (3.6 liters) and women need 11 cups (2.6 liters) of water per day. Our bodies are about 60 percent water, and just losing 1.5 percent can be the tipping point for mild dehydration. Culligan International, a world leader in the treatment of water, is offering tips to keep you and your people well hydrated.
1. Bring water on the go. Going to work, the park, the pool or the library? Wherever you are headed, always bring a reusable water bottle. This goes for your people too. Have each member of your household choose their own water bottle and label it with their name. Allowing young children to pick a favorite water bottle provides added incentive to take frequent water breaks. Set the water bottles in a high-traffic area or close to the door so you don’t forget them when leaving home. And refill, refill, refill whenever empty.
2. Drink good water. Not all water is created equal. Filling your reusable bottle with filtered water can ensure it not only tastes better, but is also better for you. Home filtration or reverse osmosis (RO) systems work to reduce contaminants that may be in your tap water. While installing such a system used to require a dedicated faucet that meant drilling a hole in your counter or losing a soap dispenser, the Culligan ClearLink PRO alleviates this need. ClearLink PRO is a wireless control system that delivers filtered water from your main faucet with the touch of a button. The wireless button can be placed virtually anywhere, making access to great-tasting water easier and less conspicuous than ever.
3. Establish hydration routine. If you have trouble remembering to drink water, establish a drinking routine. Start your day with a glass of water, followed by a glass at and between each meal and a glass before bed. Or, drink a small glass of water at the beginning of each hour. Establishing a drinking routine is an easy way to ensure that you reach the recommended water intake each day.
4. Increase intake with workouts. A good rule of thumb is to drink water before, during and after a workout. According to the Mayo Clinic, if you exercise or engage in any activity that makes you sweat, you need to drink extra water to compensate for fluid loss. An extra 1.4 to 2.5 cups (.33 to .60 liters) of water should suffice for short bouts of exercise, but intense exercise lasting more than an hour requires more fluid intake. How much depends on how much you sweat and the duration and type of exercise. And don’t rely on water fountains; be sure to bring your reusable water bottle to workout sessions.
5. Load up on fruits and veggies. Fruits and vegetables are high in water content and an excellent way to complement water intake and stay hydrated. Watermelon, cantaloupe and strawberries are among fruits with the highest water content. For vegetables, it’s cucumbers, iceberg lettuce, celery, tomatoes and zucchini. Before eating, be sure to rinse produce under filtered water to safely clean and maintain the health benefits. Fruits and veggies are also easy to serve at home and eat on the go.
For more information about water filtration solutions, visit www.heyculligan.com.
