Staying Hydrated
In our dry desert climate hydration is important all year, but especially so in the summer months. You should drink at least eight twelve ounce glasses of fluid a day, depending on how much you are sweating. Whether to drink it room temperature, chilled or iced, is a personal preference. There is no scientific literature that shows any benefit of one over the other.
Avoid caffeine and alcohol. They are natural diuretics. They make you urinate all the fluid you are trying to take in. Alcohol is especially dangerous poolside. Every summer there are deaths from people drinking too much alcohol, passing out by the pool and cooking in the sun.
Peek at your pee. You should be urinating four to five times a day and it should be light colored. If it is dark or cloudy, you need to increase your fluid intake.
Watching the world go round. If you get light headed or dizzy when you bend over or stand up, it may be a sign of dehydration. If it doesn't improve after increasing your fluid intake, see your doctor.
You can get your fluid in the form of water, iced tea, juices, lemonade, sports drinks, cold soups or water foods like melons. If you are replacing large volumes of fluid, you need to also take salt in the form of sports drinks or tablets.
