“The Hydration Handbook”
I’m J Smiles, comedian, Alzheimer’s and Dementia activist, and family caregiver. You may know me from Parenting Up™, where we’re a family of caregivers taking care of our family members together. Welcome to P.U.B. the Parenting Up Blog.
Did you know that this year, we had the hottest day on record? Yes! Of all the years they’ve been tracking temperatures, this year was the hottest. With that in mind, I hope you have been staying hydrated. And the more you sweat, the more you should drink. It is recommended that we consume around 64oz of water a day. But if you’re not the biggest fan of water, it doesn't have to be that much. Just be reasonable and mindful of what your body needs. And you can spice it up! Add fruit to your water to help make it flavorful and more appealing to consume. As long as you are staying hydrated. If not, a multitude of issues can arise from dehydration like thirst, dry mouth, and less urine. A mild form of dehydration can cause problems with blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature. And severe dehydration can cause weakness or confusion. In the most extreme cases, it can lead to kidney damage, brain damage, and even death. So, you may think that not drinking water is something miniscule and won’t have much impact on you, but it indeed can be life altering. I do want to mention that drinking too much water can have damaging effects as well. Don’t do that! But listen to your body and listen well. Only you know what your body can take in every aspect. Don’t ignore any signs. Stay hydrated and stay well.
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🎧Full audio podcast episode for this blog post: The Hydration Handbook
