Warmer and sunnier days are quickly approaching, which means your child will probably be running around outside all day. However, while it’s good that they’re getting exercise, you obviously want to make sure they’re also getting enough hydration. Here’s how you can go about keeping your child hydrated as spring approaches.

The Importance of Keeping Your Child Hydrated

Hydration is important for keeping your body and mind healthy, especially in the spring when we lose water more quickly due to increased heat and sweat. This is especially true for keeping your child hydrated.

Providing plenty of water throughout the day not only helps them stay alert and focused, but also reduces their risk of heat exhaustion, headaches caused by dehydration, kidney stones, joint pain, fatigue, decreased performance in sports activities and overall poor concentration. 

Furthermore, it can prevent unpleasant gastrointestinal issues that can arise from a lack of proper hydration. All of these ailments can easily be avoided with doses of fresh H2O throughout the day. So be sure to keep your kids healthy and hydrated to ensure optimal well being!

Signs of Dehydration

Having a well-hydrated child is essential for keeping them healthy and happy. Unfortunately, keeping your child hydrated is not always easy to monitor. Knowing the signs of dehydration can help you identify when dehydration has occurred so that necessary precautions, such as increased fluids to fight off dehydration, can be taken. 

Signs of dehydration in children include: 

• dry mouth and tongue
• sunken eyes
• minimal or nonexistent tears when crying
• decreased urine output
• fatigue
• irritability

By keeping an eye out for these signs and making sure your child drinks enough water daily (especially during hot weather), you can ensure your child remains hydrated throughout the day.

Avoiding Unhealthy Drinks

We all want to keep our children hydrated and healthy, but sometimes it can be hard to avoid unhealthy drinks. 

Sugary beverages, like sodas, can lead to a number of health issues, including weight gain, diabetes and cavities. Instead of keeping sodas and juices in the house, substitute healthier options such as plain water with some lemon or lime juice added for flavor. 

If your children prefer something sweet, look for drinks that are made with natural sugars found in fruits — they taste better and provide extra vitamins and minerals. Offering these drinks at mealtime or during snacks will help ensure your children’s hydration without compromising their health.

How Much Water Should I Drink a Day?

When it comes to monitoring your water intake, the general rule of thumb is to drink upwards of 8 cups of water per day (sometimes less works depending on who you are!), according to Mayo Clinic.

However, the exact amount varies depending on your individual body size, sex, and activity level. For instance, those with larger bodies and people who are more active will naturally require more water than those who have smaller bodies and have less activity throughout their day. 

To meet each individual’s needs for the day, it is important to pay attention to the signs your body gives you when it comes to staying hydrated. As previously noted, some signs of dehydration include a dry mouth or feeling thirsty throughout the day! Consider signaling yourself to sip on some water when these signs show up during your day — you might be surprised by how much better you feel afterwards!

Drinking Water for Sports

Staying hydrated is critical for athletes (and everyone, really), whether you’re top of your game or just a weekend warrior. Not only does drinking water allow for optimum performance and recovery, it also makes sure your body has the fuel it needs to effectively navigate through physical activities and competitions. 

To stay on top of your game, athletes should drink enough water throughout the day to provide their bodies with the essential electrolytes needed to stay healthy. Additionally, ensuring that you have easy access to plenty of cold water during workouts and games will guarantee that you have the hydration refueling station needed to keep burning energy instead of crashing. So what are you waiting for? Start chugging down some H2O so you can stay in the zone!

Ensuring Healthy Habits Beyond Hydration

Having a healthy lifestyle and keeping your child hydrated is so important for their overall well-being and can help protect them from diseases and other ailments. Establishing healthy habits can be challenging, but with the right attitude and resources, we are able to make positive changes in our lives that will benefit us for years to come.

A good starting point if you’re looking to prioritize your health is identifying areas that need attention and setting achievable goals — whether it’s exercising regularly or eating more fruits and vegetables. Having support from family, friends, or even online communities can provide an extra boost of motivation along the journey. These practices create sustainable patterns for living a healthier life, enabling us to feel more refreshed as well as energized — both mentally and physically.

Keeping Your Child Hydrated While at LuHi

At LuHi, our diverse programs and activities will keep your child engaged all throughout the day! Admists all of the running around that your child will be doing at camp, our staff prioritizes drinking water throughout the day, as well as ensuring campers have frequent access to refill stations throughout our campus. We also recommend that campers drink plenty of water when they return home for the evenings, ensuring their body is getting the rest and replenishment they need to play hard in the days to come!

To learn more about our offerings, take a look at our website and contact us today for more information!