How to Stay Hydrated in Winter 

There is a simple reason why most readers would probably never have given a second thought to the title of this article. This is because staying hydrated in the summer is more important. Hot weather makes us sweat, and there is no denying that it is in hot weather that the human body is most at risk of dehydration. However, this is not to say that cold weather does not throw a curveball for those wishing to maintain an optimal hydration level all year long. 

Ultimately, the best advice for hydration in winter might be considered the most general. That is to create a hydration plan that works on a daily basis, and which ensures the correct amount of fluid intake every single day. Once that has been established, you can tweak it appropriately for either hot weather or cold. 

Synergy Science, providers of innovative hydration products, advise that there are many ways to do this, not least by making use of products that provide more efficient hydration. Hydrogen water, for example, is infused with molecular hydrogen, a smaller molecule than H2O and therefore one which can be more easily absorbed by the body. For optimal hydration then, turning to products like this could be the answer. 

Staying Hydrated in Cold Weather 

Having stressed therefore that the first thing to do is to establish a solid hydration plan, how can you tweak it for the wintertime? To do that, it is important to understand what hydration challenges cold weather presents. Here are a few: 

Skin Dehydration 

Have you ever had chapped lips or dry skin after a spell in the cold? Right there you can find the dehydrating effects of the cold. By absorbing water out of the skin and into the atmosphere, in dry, cold weather (and, when it’s very cold, it is always a dry cold) your body can lose water.

Unreliable Thirst Response 

In cold weather, your thirst response (which relies on the experience of heat as well as dehydration) is lessened. You will not feel as thirsty, which is a danger when it comes to ensuring you stay hydrated. At any time, you are already dehydrated by the time you feel thirsty. In the cold, that effect is only amplified. 

High Energy Expenditure 

Cold weather doesn’t always mean you won’t sweat. In the cold, your body will expend more energy staying warm, and when you add heavy clothing to that mix, you could even be sweating as a result. It is perhaps a matter of debate whether strolling along in light clothes in the heat or trudging along in a heavy jacket in the cold expends more energy, but there is no denying that winter has the potential to dehydrate you in this way as well. 

How to Stay Hydrated in Winter 

Try Warm Drinks 

Gulping down a mass of cold liquid when it is already cold is probably not the optimal way to hydrate in winter. Consider some warm and hydrating beverages instead. 

Eat Hydrating Foods 

Eating, on the other hand, is not difficult to do in the winter. By eating fluid-filled foods like many fruits, oatmeal, or celery, you can have a welcome winter meal and up your fluid intake at the same time. 

Layer Your Clothing 

To tackle the aforementioned problem of sweating during winter, consider layering your clothing with a mind to increasing the overall ventilation. These pockets of air can keep you warm without being stifling and causing you to sweat. 

There is no way around it, hydration is a challenge in winter almost as much as it is in summer. And it’s best to enter the colder months prepared.

Rene Riley