If the recent spate of unusually hot weather has taught us anything (and I really hope it has), it’s that regularly taking on fluids whilst out and about is incredibly important. I know certain people bang on about this all the time, and often the public shrug it off as a load of unnecessary fussing – but it really is worth giving some thought.
Here’s the thing…
In their haste to get out the front door to have fun and capture those all-important pictures, many folks neglect to pack basic items alongside their camera gear. A coat in case it rains, a tripod to support the camera, spare batteries or memory cards – all of these are par for the course… but especially in spring and summer, I would also add a bottle of water to the list of ‘priority’ items which should be included as standard.
For reference, the rather battered-looking Klean Kanteen you see in the picture above is my go-everywhere 800ml bottle. It’s virtually indestructible – and, oh, the stories it could tell!
We hear many stats, theories and opinions about how much water should be consumed per day, to keep us functioning at an optimal – or even ‘averagely good’ – level. The NHS, for example, recommends 6-8 glasses (2 litres approx.).
Personally, as someone who is pretty active thanks to work, family activities, trail running and home workouts, I aim for around 2-3 litres per day throughout the whole year, not just during the warmer months.
Truth be told, it’s not difficult to ensure you drink 2 litres per day… you just need to give yourself a helping hand and work towards building the habit.
Here are my Top Tips on how to ensure you get your quota:
1. Get a clear bottle with markings on it (or create your own equivalent). These increments will break down the full volume into manageable amounts throughout the course of a day and give you mini targets to aim for as you go about your business.
2. If you’re more tech-driven, there are plenty of apps that can help you keep on track. At the very least, try setting water break reminders throughout the day – little and often is the key.
3. Start slowly and ease into this new routine. Going from barely anything to downing a whole two litres is quite a jump and will make you feel full very quickly!
4. Not everyone likes drinking plain water. If this sounds like you, try adding flavouring to make it more palatable (squash, mint leaves, lemon, whatever floats your boat).
5. To help you get into the habit, ensure you always have water to hand. Don’t give yourself excuses not to drink. Whenever I head out and about, I always carry a refillable bottle. I also keep several recyclable plastic bottles of water in the car at all times, just in case I forget my main bottle.
6. Water doesn’t only come from drinks! There’s plenty in fruits and vegetables, soups, ice lollies and more besides – so keep your favourite foods in mind, too.
7. This is more of a practical tip – but always ensure you keep your water away from electronics or anything you wouldn’t want damaged if there’s a leak! Put your bottle in a drybag and/or keep it on the outside of your backpack.
Staying well hydrated has so many benefits, as a quick Google search will tell you. But being an active sort, it’s worth noting that as well as keeping your brain alert (concentration, clear decision-making etc), drinking plenty of fluid also helps keep our joints lubricated and our body temperature at bay.
Clearly I’m not a certified medical bod, and so I’ve not included any hard science in this post. But if fancy finding out a bit more about why staying hydrated is so important, there’s an interesting, quick read from the NHS here which is worth a look.
