In the summer we see longer days, higher temperatures, and lots of guests – both new and old! One important thing that we always remind our guests, no matter how seasoned, is the importance of staying hydrated throughout your rafting trip. This includes not only your time on the water, but also your time prior to and after rafting.
Water makes up over half of your body weight, so every single part of your body requires water to function. When you are exerting yourself rafting, you sweat. When you sweat, you lose this internal moisture! So, in order to maintain proper health (and activity levels), make sure you drink enough water to keep up. How much should you drink? That depends on lots of factors, but usually 6-8 glasses per day is enough. However, for an exact answer, consult your doctor
Want to know more about the symptoms of dehydration and how to combat them? Keep reading!
Some symptoms of dehydration include (but are not limited to):
- Thirst (or, at some point, lack of thirst)
- Dry mouth
- Sleepiness/fatigue
- Confusion
- Headache
- Dizziness
If you notice that you have any of these symptoms, you could be dehydrated. These symptoms can also be signs of other things – so do be reasonable!
We have often heard that old say “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” – and that is the attitude we take too! So, prior to your trip, try to squeeze in an extra glass of water here or there – small amounts do add up! In addition to making you more prepared for your trip, staying hydrated has lots of peripheral effects on the rest of the body. These may become more apparent as you drink a bit more every day!
Additionally, while you are on the raft, bring a water bottle! When appropriate (or as suggested by your guide), take regular drinks from your water bottle to stay caught up. You can also consider using sports drinks that have electrolytes added in to help replace nutrients lost in sweat.
Looking for more information about staying hydrated? Check out this page:
http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/prevention-wellness/food-nutrition/nutrients/hydration-why-its-so-important.html
