Staying Well Hydrated at the Beach
It has been an unusually hot and humid summer so far, and the hottest days are yet to come. When visiting us here in Myrtle Beach, it’s important to make sure you stay well hydrated, especially at the beach. Dehydration, especially given the extreme heat we’ve been experiencing, can become a dangerous medical emergency faster than many people realize. Here are our top tips for keeping hydrated at the beach.
1. Avoid being in direct sunlight for extended periods of time. Direct sunlight increases sweating to help your body cool itself down. The sweating is water loss and contributes to dehydration.
2. Don’t drink alcohol during the hottest part of the day from 10 AM to 4 PM. Alcohol pulls water from the body and can increase risk for dehydration. If you do drink alcohol, have two glasses of fresh, cool water for every one alcoholic beverage to ensure you keep your body hydrated.
3. Avoid caffeinated beverages. Caffeine, like alcohol, pulls water from the body. While a cold soda or iced coffee drink sounds refreshing for the beach, it actually significantly increases your dehydration risk.
4. Drink plenty of fresh, cool water. The key is to drink water consistently through the day and not just when you feel thirsty. When you feel thirsty, mild dehydration has already begun. If you’re looking for an alternative refresher, try coconut water. Avoid sports drinks with high levels of sodium and containing high fructose corn syrup.
5. Snack on fruits and veggies with a high water content. Essentially, any juicy kind of produce is good but some especially good choices are watermelon, grapefruit, oranges, strawberries, tomatoes and cucumber.
Staying well hydrated at the beach ensures you can enjoy your beach time vacation without being sickened with dehydration. The super hot summer we’ve had here in Myrtle Beach increases the risk for dehydration so use these tips to help you keep your hydration levels up.