Tim Kinlen, NASM Certified Personal Trainer says most people get tired around 2 or 3pm in the afternoon and feel their energy level get low.
“The main reason for this mid-afternoon slump is that they are dehydrated. By drinking water throughout the morning and afternoon, it will keep you awake and more focused,” says Kinlen. “Try drinking 96 ounces daily with half of that before 2pm.”
When traveling, our chances of dehydrating are even greater. Although as exciting as it is, traveling is one of the most taxing activities on our bodies from altitude, stress and jet lag, to swollen muscles and joints and dehydration.
Factors like temperature, sweating, altitude and exercise can significantly increase the amount of water we lose each day, so it is especially important to hydrate pre, during and post travel. And even though we are all at risk of dehydration, the people most vulnerable are infants, elderly adults, and athletes. They are either not able to properly express their thirst sensation or not able to detect it and do something in time.
How can you tell when you’re dehydrated?
If you are thirsty, it means your cells are already dehydrated. A dry mouth is the last outward sign of dehydration. According to Watercure.com, thirst does not develop until body fluids are depleted well bellow levels required for optimal functioning.
Effects of Mild Dehydration:
– Decreased coordination
– Fatigue
– Dry skin
– Decreased urine output
– Dry mucous membranes in the mouth and nose
– Blood pressure changes and impairment of judgment
UCD (Unintentional Chronic Dehydration):
– Stress
– Headache
– Back pain
– Allergies
– Asthma
– High blood pressure
– Many degenerative health problems
Hydration Tips: The Plane! The Plane!
Licensed Aesthetician and specialist at Encino Health & Wellness, Mary M. Scott (who I highly, highly recommend and who also loves traveling to Mexico) shares her recommendations on staying hydrated while traveling:
- Drink water in the terminal before your flight in order to remain hydrated.
- Take healthy snacks with you to keep you at an alkaline level. (It is best to pack your own snacks and food for your trip. Or you can find some of the following items in the terminal The airplane food has zero nutritional value.)
Dried Figs, Raisins, Dates, Blackcurrant, Grapes, Papaya, Kiwi, Berries, Apples, Pears, Hazelnuts, Almonds, Chestnuts, and Brazil nuts. Coconut, Sour Cherries, Tomatoes, Oranges , Cherries, Pineapple, Peaches, Avocados, Grapefruit, Mangoes, Strawberries, Papayas, Lemons, Watermelon, Limes, Vegetable Juices, Parsley, Raw Spinach, Broccoli, Celery, Garlic, Barley Grass, Carrots, Green Beans, Lima Beans, Beets, Lettuce, Zucchini, Squash, Asparagus, Rhubarb, Fresh Corn, Mushrooms, Onions, Cabbage, Peas, Cauliflower, Turnip, Beetroot, Potato, Olives, Soybeans, Tofu, Amaranth, Lentils, Sweetcorn, Wild Rice, Quinoa, Millet, Buckwheat
- Drink plenty of water on an empty stomach and after you eat. Your body will be at its best if you keep it at an alkaline state. This is to avoid jet lag and dehydration in flight.
- Hydrate the skin with water from a spray bottle. There are Evian facial spray travel size bottles available that are wonderful! It will keep your skin hydrated and fresh. It is also a great ‘PICK ME UP’. (note: I found another travel size facial spray with aloe, herbs and rosewater, but there are probably dozens.)
- Eliminate coffee, tea, alcohol and juice in trade for water. Save it for when you land.
Silvie Celiz, Holistic Health, Nutrition Consultant and Co-founder of HLife Media says, “Dehydration causes DNA malfunction as well as toxic build up inside our cells, and can accelerate the aging process. Drinking pure water not only hydrates our cells but also helps to bring nutrients in and sustains the cells’ electrical power. Since we are exposed to a whole new variety of toxins when we travel, it is important to keep hydrated because this is a tool to help remove toxins from the cells.”
You can see her colorfully creative watermelon and cherry concoction for hydration called ‘Rojo Rejuv’.
Last note – forget about taking that flimsy plastic water bottle with you to the airport that you’re just going to be asked to throw away before going through airport security. Instead, take a sturdy, environmentally friendly water bottle, one that you can reuse and that will go the mile(s) with you.