Staying hydrated while swimming in a pool is a bigger challenge than you might think. Swimming is actually great exercise, but the combination of physical exertion combined with being out in the hot sun can dehydrate you faster than you realize. So what is there to do? Luckily, hydration can be fun. Here are four tips for staying hydrated swimming in a pool.
Keep The Cooler Full And Close
One of the best tips for staying hydrated while you swim on those warm, Idaho summer days is to keep your cooler full and close by. Make sure you know what drinks your swimmers enjoy and keep your cooler fully stashed and full of ice, so the drinks are cold and appealing. Juices, coconut water, and electrolyte drinks can be especially hydrating since they also replenish electrolytes.
Steer Clear Of Certain Beverages
If your goal is hydration while you swim in your pool, you’ll want to be sure to steer clear of drinks that can have a dehydrating effect instead of a hydrating effect. We’re thinking of drinks that are high in caffeine like some sodas and energy drinks and also alcoholic beverages. Both caffeine and alcohol can have a mild diuretic effect which just means that they help your body to remove hydration instead of holding onto it. And that’s not the goal.
Make Staying Hydrated Fun
For kids and adults alike, staying hydrated is a lot easier when you make it fun and simple. You can plan ahead by setting up an easy build-your-own special drink station for those long swim days. You can pre-slice fruit or even freeze it to put into glasses of water, sparkling juice, or lemon-lime soda. Invest in some fancy pool-safe cups (no glass, please) to make your hydrating experience more fun and interesting. If your hydration station is ready to go and delicious, dehydration won’t be a problem.
Hydrate In Different Ways
Staying hydrated doesn’t mean you have to drink all the time. In fact, there are a lot of foods that help you stay hydrated, and you might not even realize it. One really great way to stay hydrated is to eat lots of juicy fruit. Watermelon is a great example of a food that actually helps keep hydration levels up. That’s probably one reason it tastes so good in the hot sun.
Popsicles and ice cream are also great foods to help rehydrate after all the swimming and splashing in the pool. Designate an area around your pool where you and your friends and family can easily hop out, enjoy a cold hydrating treat like a popsicle or ice cream cup, and then hop back in. It doesn’t have to be complicated, and staying hydrated will make your swimming experience so much sweeter.
Ready to take on the summer and stay hydrated in your very own pool? If you’re not yet a pool owner, we’d like to help you become one. Our team at Mastercraft Pool & Spa has the Idaho experts on pool design and installation. No job is too big or too small for our team. So contact us to get started today, and pretty soon you’ll be eating watermelon by your very own swimming pool.