13 Simple Ways to Stay Hydrated This Summer

Looking for simple ways to stay hydrated this summer that may or may not be water?

Yes, I have looked for simple ways to stay hydrated. And asked.

Since I workout and then work and play outdoors in the heat of summer with the kids, I’m always looking for new and different ways to rehydrate. You see, even if you’re playing in the swimming pool, you need to find a way to rehydrate.

And whether you’re sitting pool side or working out in the hot sun, staying hydrated is the key to maintaining good health. As your body sweats, it loses moisture and nutrients that you need to be replacing…or rehydrating. It’s so so so important.

So, in this post:

I will uncover 13 Tips for simple ways to stay hydrated.
I’ll discuss how to hydrate fast to maintain your health.
Plus, I’ll list some hydrating drinks besides water for you to enjoy this summer.

Listen to the Podcast Episode Here:

Why You Need to Stay Hydrated

I’m going to tell you a very short story. I was young but I remember this so vividly. It involves a very special person in my life.

My Grandpa.

See, Grandpa was helping out at a community event. He was actually inside a livestock trailer with a load of baby pigs. Greasing them up with Crisco for kids like me to chase around and catch.

And it was HOT in that trailer. Long story short…He overheated and collapsed. Luckily, there were lots of people around to call an ambulance and help him.

He was in the hospital for several days hooked up to IV fluids. But he was going to be ok.

Grandpa said he began to feel hot, then dizzy and then just blacked out. But what he really was needing in there with him was fluids he didn’t have. He wanted this to be a lesson to everyone to carry water along in times like these. To stay hydrated.

As I’ve grown up, I’ve carried this lesson with me. And I’m going to share the tips I’ve learned over the years with you, so keep reading!

But Sometimes I Get Tired of Plain Ol’ Water

Oh, me too! You are not the only one.

There are some really good other ways to hydrate yourself. Let’s discover how to stay hydrated without drinking water…at least just plain water!

Disclaimer: What works for some may not work for others. While these simple ways to stay hydrated are safe, please consult with a doctor if you must.

Switchel

This is an interesting concoction that you either like or you don’t. It’s an old-time mix that was used for rehydration on a hot day and acid reflux.

Switchel contains the following ingredients:

2 Quarts Water
2 Tsp. Ground Ginger
1/2 Cup Honey
1/2 Cup apple cider vinegar

Add all ingredients into a bowl and mix together well. You can drink it immediately.

Not only does this drink rehydrate you, but it also helps maintain gut health!

Beverages with Vitamin B

Some drinks are enhanced with Vitamin B and are good for hydration. My favorites include:

SOBE Lifewater
Vitamin Water
Sparkling Ice Water

These are drinks that I can pick up at any convenience store when we are traveling or in town for errands. But the next one, you’ll have to go to the grocery store to pick up.

Coconut Water

A natural option for water, it also has a sweet and nutty flavor. Some people will even tell you that coconut water is a better way to hydrate faster than water.

It’s packed with nutrients and health benefits that makes it a #1 choice for drink on a hot day.

Gatorade or Powerade

We often keep cases of this Gatorade on hand at our house. The electrolytes in both Gatorade or Powerade replace nutrients and fluid lost when sweating in the heat.

Even when you’re swimming in the water or sitting in the shade, you need to be sipping and replacing nutrients. I like gatorade for other things, too.

When I was nursing babies, the electrolytes from Gatorade helped me keep my milk in check. Plus, they have low-calorie options for those of you who are watching out for those as well.

Fruit Infused Water

If you have loads of fruit and/or veggies, you can infuse the juices into the water. This flavors the water making it more tasty.

Here are some of my favorite flavors:

Kiwi
Strawberry
Peach
Lemon
Cucumber
Melon

Mix and match some of these. And you’ll be getting nutrients from the fruit plus the taste!

Pickle Juice

Love pickles? You might want to try drinking the juice to rehydrate.

I have not tried this one, but it was a popular answer in one of my polls in a social media group of active, hardworking Ruralites. So, I know it works great.

Essential Oil Infused Waters

Here’s another popular answer: Water enhanced with essential oils!

Grapefruit
Lemon
Orange

Squirt

If you’re looking for a carbonated pop-like fizzy drink, Squirt is a great option as a thirst quencher.

Although I’m not a huge proponent of drinking pop on a hot day, some people near and dear to me require pop daily. So, if you have people like this in your life, Squirt is something you can keep on hand for them instead of another kind of pop that could do more damage.

It’s caffeine free, low calorie and tastes like pop. You can also purchase packets to add to water.

Skim Milk

Be sure it’s skim. Fatty beverages do not rehydrate you.

But skim milk is a good option because it does contain nutrients, such as:

Calcium
Vitamins
Protein

If you’re not into drinking anything…snack on this.

Snacking on Veggies and Fruit

Believe it or not, veggies and fruit contain water! So, when you snack on these, you inject water into your system with it:

Carrots
Cucumbers
Apples
Strawberries

Pretty much any fruits and veggies contain water. So, just choose what you want.

Green Tea

If you’re in need of something caffeine enhanced, try green tea. It’s naturally hydrating and gives you a little kick in the pants, too.

This is my choice in the mornings. I always have a cup of tea to get me started on the right foot.

Two Tips for Staying Hydrated

I told you before that I’ve carried some important lessons with me over the years about hydration. And from those lessons, there are two tips I’d like to share with you.

Carry a capped bottle of water (or beverage) at all times.
Drinking water before bed time.

Let me discuss those two tips a little bit more separately next.

Carry a Bottle With You

Yes, I carry a 32 oz bottle of water or tea with me ALL THE TIME. It’s my #1 accessory to date. And now, my daughters have bottles of water to carry with them as well.

How much water should you drink in hot weather?

Well, I try to fill my 32 ounce bottle up 4 times. This equals a gallon of water! You can easily drink this much throughout the day a little at a time.

Here’s another way to get the water in and stay hydrated through the night.

Drinking Water Before Bed

I learned this tip when I was pregnant. Also, people in the military will tell you to do this, too.

Drink about a quart or two of water right before bed. This helps you to keep hydrated through the night.

The importance of staying hydrated is forgotten about time and time again. My Grandpa forgot. And because of his story, I won’t be forgetting. I don’t want you to forget either.

Click here to read about some awesome business lessons I learned from Grandpa

What does it feel like to be dehydrated?

You really don’t want to know. And I don’t want you to know. So, that’s why I wanted to share 13 simple ways to stay hydrated.

Now, you can choose one or several of these to try. Plan ahead for when you have to be out in the heat.

Have some fun in the sun. Work hard out there. But please remember to keep your body hydrated.