Are you feeling irritable? Or are you feeling heavy-headed and tired all the time? During these months, you may consider these feelings to be mild cases of seasonal affective disorder. But the real cause could be something that is very easy to fix and that is dehydration.
Because you feel less thirsty in winter than in summer, you drink less water, but this habit can harm you. Never ignore it. It often happens that we stop drinking water as soon as winter comes. If you have a habit of drinking less water in winter, it can cause many problems in summer.
Yes, even when the temperature drops, you still need to make sure you’re drinking enough water throughout the day. Dehydration occurs when your body loses more fluid than it takes in, and dehydration can cause a lot of problems in people. Here’s what you need to know if you want to stay happy, healthy and hydrated this summer.
Table of Contents
1. Why is hydration important in winter and summer?
2. 7 Signs of Dehydration
2.1. Extreme thirst
2.2 Dark colored urine
2.3. Sweating
2.4. Fatigue
2.5. Dry mouth
2.6. Dry skin
2.7. Headache
3. How to avoid dehydration?
1. Why is hydration important in winter and summer?
You are actually more likely to become dehydrated during the colder months. Because people don’t feel thirsty when the temperature drops, many people forget to drink enough water. In colder temperatures, bodies have to work harder even under the weight of heavy clothing, and sweat evaporates faster in cold, dry air.
Even mild dehydration in summer can cause difficulty concentrating, poor memory and mood swings. People who chronically drink less water are at increased risk of serious health problems such as kidney disease, kidney stones and diabetes.
2. 7 Signs of Dehydration
Dehydration can manifest differently from person to person, but recognizing the signs will help you know when your body needs more water. Symptoms of dehydration in adults include:
2.1. Extreme thirst
Naturally, if you are thirsty, your body is telling you that it needs water. However, thirst is not always an indication of dehydration. Many people can be dehydrated without feeling thirsty.
2.2. Dark Colored urine
If your urine is dark yellow in color, this is a sign that you are not drinking enough water. . (Note: Persistently clear urine may indicate that you are drinking too much water, which can strip your body of electrolytes.
2.3. Sweating
Sweating or decreased urination. Most people urinate six to ten times a day and sweat during vigorous exercise. If this doesn’t happen to you, it’s probably time to drink more water.
2.4. Fatigue
Your body needs water to function well—whether you’re exercising or working at the office. If you’re feeling sluggish, you may be dehydrated.
2.5. Dry mouth
Dry mouth indicates that your salivary glands are not producing enough saliva.
2.6. Dry skin
Symptoms of dehydrated skin include dark circles under the eyes, itching, dullness, fine lines and wrinkles.
2.7. Headache
A dehydration headache occurs when the brain temporarily shrinks from a lack of fluid, causing pain.
3. How to avoid dehydration?
You might think that dehydration is easy enough to avoid in the heat. Drink more water? But there is more to it than that. Even a person who drinks water continuously throughout the day can still become dehydrated. To reduce the risk of dehydration in winter, here are some tips.
1. Take water with you when you leave the house. Since you can’t rely on feeling thirsty to know if you’re dehydrated, it’s a good idea to keep water on hand throughout the day.
2. Be sure to monitor your water intake. The amount of water you should drink daily varies from person to person.
3. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Maximize your hydration by eating water-rich foods like apples, celery, and cucumbers.
4. Drink healthy drinks. If drinking too cold water doesn’t feel good, opt for normal water to stay healthy.
5. Avoid caffeinated drinks. These drinks can actually cause dehydration.
6. The effects of dehydration can vary from mild to life-threatening. If you or a loved one exhibits any of these symptoms, you should seek emergency contraception.