Many people associate the need to hydrate with hot summer days. However, it’s important to recognise that hydration is essential all year round, not just when temperatures are at their highest. If you’re wondering do you still need to hydrate in winter, read on.
What is hydration and why is it important?
Hydration refers to the replacement of bodily fluids lost through processes such as exhaling, sweating, and eliminating waste. On average, the human body loses around two to three quarts of water every day. Whilst it’s true that many of the foods we eat are composed of water, including fruits, vegetables, and soups, we also need to drink fluids to stay hydrated. Even if your diet is very high in these foods, your water intake won’t be anywhere near high enough. You can’t get adequate water from solid foods.
Staying hydrated is crucial for your health and wellbeing. Not only does it help to regulate body temperature but it keeps your joints lubricated, prevents infections, and keeps organs functioning properly. Drinking enough water also helps to improve sleep quality, cognition and mood.
Staying hydrated is important all year round, even in the cold winter months. Many people assume that dehydration will never occur in December, January, or February, however, this is a dangerous misconception. Keep reading to learn why do you still need to hydrate in the winter.
Why is staying hydrated essential in winter?
Cold-weather dehydration is a real risk in winter. People often put down their water bottles when the temperature drops outside, assuming that they don’t need to drink as much water to stay hydrated. However, this is a mistake. As you crank up your thermostat, you can easily become dehydrated. This is because the heat that’s being pumped into your home or office to keep it warm is very dry. When you’re exposed to this dry heat for a lot of the day, you can quickly lose fluids and become parched.
As well as coping with so much dry heat, your body also needs to cope with all those extra layers of clothing you might wear to keep warm. Bundling up when it’s cold outside can be tempting, however, overdressing can cause you to sweat more. Since you don’t feel cold, you might not realise exactly how much you’re sweating. Of course, sweating means you’re losing water and risk becoming dehydrated.
Your body loses water all day, every day, through perspiration, respiration, urination, and bodily function. Even though the temperature can affect the rate of moisture loss, it still occurs, even when it’s at its lowest. So when it’s cold, icy, or even snowing outside, don’t assume that you can’t become dehydrated. It’s always a risk, whatever the weather.
Signs of dehydration
The signs of dehydration can be sneaky, often only becoming obvious when your body has lost a large amount of water. Severe dehydration can sometimes lead to symptoms such as confusion, rapid heartbeat and breathing, and even fainting. Less serious cases might result in headaches, dry mouth, dry skin, dizziness, tiredness, and difficulty concentrating.
If you’re an athlete, you might start to notice that you’re getting injured more often. This is because dehydration can impact muscle contraction and blood flow. One of the biggest signs that you’re dehydrated is that you’re not going to the toilet as often. If you’re going more than two hours without urinating or your urine is dark in colour, that’s a good indication that you’re not consuming enough water.
How to stay hydrated in cold weather
To stay hydrated in winter, make sure you drink water regularly to replenish fluids, especially after or during periods of physical activity. Even if you don’t feel thirsty, it’s important to keep hydrating. You may want to make a plan for drinking certain amounts of water at various points throughout the day.
Various hydration apps are available that remind you to drink water frequently. They help you to track your daily water intake for better health. It’s a good idea to always have a water bottle with you so that you have easy access to water. If you’re an office manager, consider investing in a water dispenser so that you and your staff have a constant source of freshwater.
Invest in a water dispenser for your office
Now that you know why do you still need to hydrate in the winter, you may be considering investing in a water dispenser for your office. Keeping your staff hydrated is vital if you want them to perform at their best.
Providing them with a constant source of freshwater can help to ward off tiredness, headaches and nausea whilst also improving their concentration. Their productivity is likely to increase as a result, which is great news for your business’s bottom line. Drinking water can also help the body’s defence against viruses, which means that staff are less likely to take time off work due to illness.
Plumbed-in water dispensers in Nottingham, Leicester, and Derby
At Fresh Opportunities, we supply a fantastic range of plumbed in water dispensers in Nottingham, Leicester, and Derby. We offer both floor standing and counter-top models, all built with the latest, most innovative features. Our water dispensers are modern, stylish, and compact, making them ideal for offices of all sizes.
Our experienced team can install your new water dispenser for free and with as little disruption to your business activities as possible. If you’re not sure if a water dispenser is a right investment for your company, why not take advantage of our two-week trial? We allow you to try one of our dispensers free of charge for a fortnight.
Contact us
Hopefully, this has answered the question of, “Do you still need to hydrate in the winter”. To find out more about our range of plumbed-in water dispensers in Nottingham, Leicester or Derby, contact us today. Call 0800 086 2479 to talk to one of our friendly team. Alternatively, send us a message via the website. We can assist you in choosing the ideal water dispenser for your office.