Did you know that we lose as much water from our bodies in the winter as we do in summer? We tend to think about drinking lots of water during physical activity when the weather is hot and we are sweating profusely, but during the winter? We couldn’t possibly sweat enough to lose that much moisture in such cold weather! The reality is, many people are low on fluids during the winter because of the cold.
Why is this? Well, for one, central heating in our homes dehydrates the air. Even with humidifiers, the air may be drier than during the more humid days of summer. This can lead to dry skin, chapped lips, nosebleeds and even mild headaches. And, while we may not be perspiring when we are outside in the cold weather, we still lose vapor through our breath (you can see it!)
Our bodies also need more water in the winter in order to function properly. This is because in cold weather, we need to eat more to maintain our body heat (hence, some of that winter weight gain!) To aid in digestion, more water is needed to keep things moving smoothly through our system.
With all this dryness, we need to rehydrate for our overall health. Our mucous membranes, which need to stay moist, serve as a defense system for our body. If these membranes dry out, germs are able to cross this protective barrier causing infection and illness.
What can you do to combat dehydration during the winter months? Here are a few tips.
- Make sure you are drinking adequate water throughout the day. By the time you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated. Drink one or two glasses of water first thing when you get up in the morning.
- Strive to drink half your body weight in ounces throughout the day (if you did the first tip, you already have 16 ounces in you!) Another general rule of thumb is to drink eight 8 ounce glasses throughout the day (64 ounces in total.)
- If you don’t like the idea of a cold drink during the winter, drink a hot glass of water flavored with lemon or mint. You’ll rehydrate and warm up at the same time!
- Also, keep your skin hydrated from the outside by applying lotion liberally during this time of year. The best time to do this is right after stepping out of the shower when your skin is still moist. The lotion serves as a barrier that prevents moisture from escaping through the skin.
- If you don’t have one already, invest in a humidifier. These are especially helpful when used in the bedroom. You’ll wake up feeling much more refreshed and ready to face the new day.
Yours in Health,
Evey
Evey Schweig is a certified Holistic Health Coach, wife and mother of two. She is a staunch advocate of eating healthy nutritious whole foods to improve one's health, and achieve a healthier more energy-filled, pain-free life! Working one-on-one with her clients, she serves as a personal guide towards helping her clients succeed in these goals.