No matter how much we try to convince ourselves that we love the four seasons of a British year, we have to be honest; the winter months are pretty grim. Sure, the festive season is fun, and it’s an excuse to hibernate by the fire by a while, but we tend to find ourselves waiting for the hotter months to arrive. The Great British Summer is a wonderful institution, and we’ll all be secretly delighted when a tabloid declares us to be officially hotter than Spain in a display of misplaced jingoistic pride.
Now the sun is threatening to make its annual appearance, which is good news for all concerned (especially that neighbour that insists in parading around without a shirt on, even though you’d really wish he didn’t). However, with the summer heat comes certain risks, and we all need to ensure that we remain sufficiently hydrated.
Anybody that lives in a city knows just how scorching temperatures can be, with travellers on the London Underground in particular placing themselves at risk of they travel without sufficient water supplies. HydrateM8’s water bottle range is a worthy investment for anybody forced to travel in these tin-can heat traps, or indeed a keep-fit enthusiast that wishes to continue their intense cardio workouts during a heatwave.
Let’s not be sticks in the mud, however, especially as we have encountered enough of those during the rainy season. Water-based activities can be hugely enjoyable throughout the summer as anybody who has fond childhood memories of paddling pools will testify, and swimming remains one of the finest all-body workouts that we can treat ourselves to, as well as cooling us off on a sweltering day. Alternatively, if you feel like getting out in nature, why not investigate some outdoor swimming activities at your local beaches and lakes?
Then, of course, we have the barbeque season. It’s a rite of passage for Brits to unpack their tongs and fire pit the moment the first rays of sun emerge, and no doubt this year will be no exception. It’s tempting to wash down your grilled meats with a selection of brews and get a pleasant buzz on in the sun, but don’t leave yourself at risk of dehydration. If you start to feel nauseous, irritable, dizzy or delirious it may not be the host’s cooking that’s to blame, but instead an absence of clear fluids. Try to alternate water rounds with the beer and Pimms that will be flowing and you’ll be able to enjoy your day until long after the sun has set. Tap water is more than fine, so there’s no need to re-mortgage your home in an attempt at financing enough bottled water to keep your guests comfortable. Just so you know, whilst the tantalizing aroma of charcoal grilled meats is irresistible, charcoal plays a part in dehydration!
No matter where you are, it’s sound advice to avoid adding ice to your water during the summer. Tempting though it may be on the grounds of increased refreshment, cold water contracts your stomach muscles and thus restricts the amount of fluid that you are taking in. Keep your H2O at room temperature to stay healthy. Try to resist the siren song of sports energy drinks, too; they may be useful after a strenuous physical workout to replace lost energy but they are also laden with sugars and other carbs. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with simple tap water, and if you get bored with it, pop in some sliced fruit!
Fortunately, at the time of writing, there are no hosepipe bans in place in the UK so you’ll be able to keep your garden every bit as hydrated as yourself. We’ll all be using water considerably more in the coming months though, so please make sure that you do so responsibly and wisely, avoiding unnecessary waste. Stick to these simple policies and we’ll all be having fun in the sun for the next few months.
