This year I was extra nervous for summer to arrive. Of course I was excited too but holy moly, I was going to stay home with four kiddos-- entertain them, feed them & stay on top the laundry (just kidding, the laundry is never ending).
Being that it was our first year in our new home, staying in and having fun at home has been the norm lately. We still hit up our favorite spots like the zoo, park and random evening walks around our neighborhood. It's been such a fun time at home creating memories and making it our own.
These past weeks have been extremely hot! I don't know what you think but heat is no joke! It's crazy how the temperatures can rise so quickly. That's why staying hydrated is super important and there are so many benefits that come with drinking water. Although I am on top of my kids drinking water, sometimes I forget to drink that extra glass myself (ya feel me?). Don't get me wrong though , I love water and I don't necessarily have to get fancy with fruits and all that, though I do like to do that sometimes.
I was so surprised when I was reading all the different ways to stay hydrated in an article titled From fizzy to flavored, hydrate with water - UCHealth Today -- they talk about all hydration, giving some great tips like drink water in the am because your body wakes up super thirsty after detoxifying all night. They also share the different forms of water you can drink for hydration. I honestly didn't know that carbonated water was a good source of water, of course not in excess because carbonation can promote enamel erosion.
To get my kids to drink water is pretty simple, all I have to do is literally hand them their bottles and they take care of the rest.
How do you know if you are giving your kids enough water? I'm constantly asking my kids throughout the day if they already drank water but sometimes I can forget. It's nice to know that you can always have health care services at your fingertips-- from urgent care, primary care & even virtual visits. UCHealth has you covered when you can't access your primary care physician (or pediatrician).
Water is super important for our health, not only does it boost our energy, it also helps with digestion and skin hydration.
How to help your kids stay hydrated
- offer water with all meals
- keep a water bottle near them at all times
- set a timer for water breaks
- have them pick their favorite fruit or veggie to infuse their water
- make a DIY sticker board-- every time they empty their bottle add a sticker
- give them small rewards like: park day, picnic in your backyard, game night, crafts etc.
How to stay help yourself drink more water
- drink a glass of water first thing in the morning
- get yourself a nice water bottle that you like-- for me, if it's pretty, it gets my attention
- fill up your bottle & keep it next to you
- infuse your water -- get creative, add cucumbers, blueberries, mint etc.
- set timers & water breaks
- reduce the amount of caffeine intake
Remember the trick is to enjoy it and not make it seem like it's one more thing you have to do. Also, if you ever suspect that you are dehydrated or that your kids are dehydrated, please seek medical attention fast! Make sure you are aware of your option of when and where to go.
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