During hot weather it is essential to stay hydrated. That doesn’t mean having to drink pints and pints of water, little and often works much better. Always carry water with you wherever you go.
Check on the elderly. The thirst mechanism is lost as you get older and they will forget to drink enough, often enough. Ensure that they drink water not just tea. Elderly people can dehydrate quickly, this causes disorientation and erratic behaviour and can cause falls, so please check on any Elders around you.
Although the temptation is to have lots of really cold drinks, too much cold food and drink can aggravate your stomach and upset your digestive system, and can also increase inflammation in the body.
Here are some easy and cheap ways to stay hydrated:
· Avoid caffeine and alcohol - both dehydrate.
· Drink WATER – little and often, preferably at room temperature.
· If someone has got a bit too dehydrated and water doesn’t seem to be helping, give them COCONUT WATER it’s more hydrating than water and balances electrolytes. (Available from most supermarkets and healthfood stores).
· CUCUMBER WATER – this is a great hydrator and electrolyte balancer, it’s also cooling and refreshing. (Cut ends of cucumber, cut in half, place in large just of water for 3 hours, then it’s ready to drink).
· Eat moisture rich foods such as juicy fruits – WATER MELON is one of the best hydrators, it’s cooling, refreshing and delicious too! STRAWBERRIES are great too and packed with Vitamin C.
· Eat moisture rich foods that are cooling such as CUCUMBERS, did you know that a cucumber provides vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, folic acid, vitamin C, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium and zinc – awesome! Other moisture rich foods include; TOMATOES, CELERY, WATERCRESS, Salad leaves, RADISHES, ASPARAGUS.
· Add a little SEA SALT to your food to replace salts sweated out through the skin (losing too much salt creates electrolyte imbalance).
· HERBS that are hydrating that can be added to salads, or make teas are:
· Add fresh Mint to your glass/bottle of water; it livens up plain water by giving it a delicate, refreshing flavour. (Mint and Strawberry in your water is delicious!).
· Chamomile – also soothes agitation causes by dehydration/hot weather. Elderflower is good too. Linden flower makes a lovely cooling tea and my favourite of all in hot weather is Hibiscus flower. You can drink these as cooled teas rather than drinking hot tea.
Remember to wear a hat and sunglasses and put some sunscreen on, and stay in the shade more than in the sun.
Happy Summer y’all!
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