Stay well. Stay hydrated.

It is important in these times of a new virus our body has never seen (Covid-19) to prepare our bodies to be ill and recover well (to a certain extent, this is also true every cold and flu season). Drinking enough water is key. The HEAT AND HUMIDITY of summer in Wisconsin is challenging to this task! This is especially true for me on the most humid days, which doesn't surprise me. Dampness outside, dampness inside. My body just doesn't crave water when it's damp out. I have also noticed an increase of clients the last couple weeks with an increase in complaints that are often attributed to dehydration:

  • Thirst
  • Dry or sticky mouth
  • Not urinating much
  • Darker yellow urine
  • Headache
  • Muscle cramps
  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness
  • Constipation
  • Rapid heartbeat

Water is part of every cell in the body, it is essential for healthy cell function and staying well! Did you know that once you feel thirsty, you are actually already partially dehydrated? If you notice your pee is turning darker yellow make sure to get extra water in soon!

This Spring while home with the kids and their continuous complaints with the above symptoms, I got sick of asking the same questions of them and having the same answers, so I just started sing songy chanting (My daughter says I can't take a picture about how she feels about this song, just "insert eye roll").

Most important.
Stay hydrated.
Drink little sips,
All day long.

Staying hydrated helps us prevent and recover from illness by moistening membranes and replacing lost fluids. Moist mucus membranes help act as a barrier to bacteria, dust, and pollens. Water and electrolyte drinks can replace fluids lost from fever, rapid breathing, coughing, sneezing, sweating, diarrhea and vomiting that occur during illness. Staying well hydrated when you are sick also helps to thin out thick mucus.

Those of you who work without air conditioning in the summer heat, whether it's indoors or outdoors at your job or around your yard, know that water sometimes isn't enough to stay hydrated. Heavy sweat, from summer heat or fever can throw off our electrolyte balance. Follow some of the tips below and try out the natural electrolyte drink recipe.

Tips to keep you hydrated on the most hot and humid days or during a fever illness:

  • Set a timer and drink a certain number of ounces water
  • Eat watermelon, cantaloupe and other melons
  • Eat cucumber or add slices of cucumber to your water
  • Add a couple fresh mint leaves to your water
  • Brew some raspberry or lemon zinger tea and chill it

I was inspired by this blog post a few years ago, and have adapted this hydrating drink into our hot day routines (and fever illness recovery). Let me know the combination you love.

Natural Electrolyte Drink

Ingredients:

  • 1 quart plain water or tea (we sometimes like to use Celestial Seasonings Raspberry Zinger)
  • 1/8 -1/4 tsp salt (I usually use REAL/pink salt or Celtic Sea Salt)
  • 1/2 tsp trace mineral drops
  • 1/4 cup lemon or lime or cherry juice concentrate
  • 1-2 TBSP maple syrup or honey
  • Add a few berries, citrus slices, watermelon or mint leaves if desired

Instructions:

  1. If using honey, you might want to mix it with a small amount of hot water so it dissolves completely. Add ingredients all together and mix or shake well.

  2. Drink up. In TCM we encourage room temperature drinks so as to to interfere with the digestive energy, so usually the mix just goes right in my glass or if I used honey mix with warm water to make this drink, I might add a couple ice cubes. I know many of you may want to add a couple ice cubes or cool it in the refrigerator. Just be mindful to not have too many cold foods or drinks as they can weaken your digestive fire.

  3. This recipe will last in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, but usually this won't last more than one hot afternoon at my house. So we make as we need it.

This is an example of the ingredients I might use for the electrolyte drink. I use ingredients I have on hand. If I have fresh lemons or limes, I use those. If I don't I might use concentrates- lemon, lime or tart cherry. Sometimes I prefer honey, sometimes maple syrup and occasionally a smaller measurement of either plus a few drops of stevia drops (I like lemon or berry. You can get them at Mother Nature Foods or another natural food store.



Stay well. Stay hydrated.
-Sarah



Inspired Balance, LLC
Sarah Aiken-Felling, MAOM, LAc
715-831-8998
www.inspiredbalance.com