Healthy Living Strategies Kuel Category Expert: Diana Devi
“Summertime and the livin’ is easy” in the all time number one song.
One of my favorite childhood memories of summer is making homemade peach ice cream with my Mom. It was in July and always very hot, at least 95 degrees. We would peel the peaches and prepare the ice cream mixture. I would pour the rock salt over the ice and listen to the ice cream maker as it hummed while churning away. With anticipation, I knew it was going to taste so good, my mouth watered. I remember taking that first bite, the coolness of the ice cream, and the tangy sweet taste of the peaches. It was divine. And, I was always thirsty after I had eaten my ice cream …It did not impact or deter from the experience but was something that I remember. Now I know why. I will explain later.
“Many of us have great memories of summer.”
Many of us have great memories of summer. Things that we love to do: time at the lake or cabin, tasty food, family time and relaxing. It is a time that we do things that are special. It is also a time to take care of ourselves in simple ways.
Hydration Keeps Our Skin Beautiful
The place to start caring for ourselves is hydrating to keep our skin beautiful!. Lots of us are having fun outside, at the lake, the beach or the cabin. Our skin is exposed to the sun, out of doors, and maybe even wind. When we perspire, we are losing moisture in the form of sweat. We all know warm weather and exposure to the sun can take its toll on your skin, especially dehydrating it.
Being Dehydrated Affects Your Mood, Making You Feel Depressed
It can also cause:
- cloudy thinking and or dizziness
- pain or muscle cramps
- headaches
- mistaking thirst for hunger
- and the worst offender …. WRINKLES.
Yes WRINKLES. Being dehydrated shows up immediately on your face and neck in the form of wrinkles and as a side bonus, dark circles under your eyes.
In the summer, we are spending more time in direct sunlight and we are more physically active. We also eat foods that can dehydrate us; or, perhaps enjoy a little liquid libation ( any form of alcohol.) There’s nothing wrong with any of these, but we need to support our bodies while we are having our fun!
The Roadmap For Hydration:
“Think about what are you eating and drinking.”
Use this roadmap so you can feel good all day while you are in the summertime fun, and the day after you have been out in the sun. Think about what are you eating and drinking. Food and drink can dehydrate, as well as, hydrate. Who knew you could eat something that would hydrate you? Consider how much you are drinking and WHAT you are drinking.
Drinks That Dehydrate:
- coffee
- tea
- alcohol
- sugary drinks
Drinks That Hydrate:
- water
- herbal tea
- homemade flavored waters
- coconut water
Foods That Dehydrate:
- salty food
- sugary foods, such as ice cream
- food with artificial flavorings
- heavily processed foods ( such as meats and chips)
Foods That Hydrate:
- watermelon
- strawberries
- cantaloupe
- cucumbers
- berries in general
Hydrate For Planned Activities
If you are doing something that requires physical activity, add 16 oz of water (or acceptable alternative ) for every 30 minutes of activity. If you are going to be in direct sunlight or perspiring a lot add another 16oz or more of hydration.
How many dehydrators have you had today? Implement the concept of replenishment. For example, you can have that cup of coffee, but replenish your fluids by adding a two to one ratio of water to coffee. Drink two cups of water for every cup of coffee.
How do you know how much water to drink? The accepted recommendation is to drink at least four or five 16 ounces servings of water per day. This is for a normal day with not a lot of physical activity, no exposure to the sun, and a minimal number of dehydrators!
Take into account your activity for the day. If I know I am going to be doing something that can dehydrate me, I make sure I have extra water so that I will not get thirsty.
Make Naturally Flavored Waters
I love to make flavored waters. I have 16 oz glass bottles that I fill with water, adding a sprig of mint and a couple of thin slices of cucumber, then refrigerate. Every couple of days, I make up a batch of four or five. Before I leave for the day, I grab one or two of these to take with me. I can switch these up with different herbs and fruits and I NEVER get bored drinking water.
The last and most important piece is to check in with your body. It sounds strange, but pay attention to how you are feeling. Many people will feel light headed, or have a headache when they are dehydrated. And, of course your mirror is always a good indicator. If your skin looks more wrinkled, if you have turkey neck, start drinking more hydrating fluids and eating more hydrating foods.
Summer is a great time of year. We want to look and feel our best. Part of that is banishing those wrinkles by staying hydrated. So, “bottoms up” with hydrating fluids and foods!!
Until next time Be Bold. Be Beautiful. Be Ageless!
* Of course eating a balance diet consisting of all the basic food groups such of fruits vegetable and protein etc is important.
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About the Author:
Diana is an empowerment coach for women over 50, building on her 30 years of experience as a clinical pharmacist and as an Argentine tango dancer. Diana’s goal is to help her clients become a W.H.I.P. “A Woman, who is Hot, Intelligent and in her Prime at EVERY age. When Diana is not working with clients or on the dance floor she is training her cats, CleoCatra ( an Egyptian Mau) and D’Artagnan (a Savannah) while patiently waiting for the day she can travel around the world to dance tango again. You can checkout Diana on her website: An Ageless Life.
