12 Tips for Staying Healthy & Hydrated During the Holidays!
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Staying healthy during the holidays can be a challenge! Even though it's a time of joy and celebration, we sometimes find ourselves out of our normal daily routines and indulging in activities that can take a toll on our health. Prioritizing self-care, maintaining physical well-being, and managing stress can really make a huge difference during this season.
Most of us are aware of what we need to do to stay healthy, but a little nudge never hurts! Forget partridges and pear trees — the KSP team put together 12 gifts of our own this year: simple tips to help optimize your hydration and keep you healthy this holiday season.
Start your day with H2O
Starting your day with water ramps up your hydration from the minute you wake up! According to Medical News Today, starting your day off with a glass of water can aid weight loss, enhance mental performance, boost mood, and improve skin, kidney, urinary tract, and cardiovascular health.
Limit caffeine and alcohol
Both caffeine and alcohol can contribute to dehydration. If you're consuming beverages with these substances, balance them with additional water intake. One good rule of thumb at parties and celebrations is to alternate water with alcoholic beverages. If you enjoy coffee or hot tea in the morning, try decaffeinated options, or try one of our KSP hot recipes. A KSP team favorite is just KSPtabs in hot or warm water!
Monitor your urine color
It might be a little embarrassing to say, but take a look at your urine. Aim for a pale yellow color, which is a good indicator of proper hydration — dark yellow or amber urine may suggest dehydration. To learn more about the importance of hydration for your kidney health, read our blog on hydration and your kidneys.
Set hydration goals
Goals help you stay on track! We recommend setting a daily water intake goal based on factors like your age, weight, and activity level. A good rule of thumb is to drink half your body weight in ounces each day — for example, if you're 150 pounds, aim for 75 fluid ounces of water per day. Try to meet or exceed this goal, especially during the holidays.
Hydrate before, during, and after exercise
If you're engaging in physical activities or exercise during the holiday season, be sure to hydrate adequately before, during, and after. Proper hydration pre- and post-workout will help you get the most out of your efforts and keep you healthy.
Eat hydrating foods
Many fruits and vegetables have high water content. Incorporate hydrating foods into your holiday meals, such as watermelon, cucumber, oranges, and celery.
Carry a water bottle
Keep a reusable water bottle with you to make it easy to stay hydrated throughout the day, whether you're at home, in the car, or at a holiday gathering. KSP team favorites are the Yeti Rambler and the Stanley Tumbler.
Set reminders
Use phone alerts or other reminders to prompt you to drink water regularly. It's easy to forget to hydrate, especially during this busy time of year!
Pay attention to thirst
Listen to your body's signals. If you feel thirsty, it's a sign that you need to drink more fluids.
Infuse water with flavor
Adding flavor to your water makes it much more fun and interesting to drink. Adding lemon, cucumber, mint, or basil truly takes your water to the next level. For more ideas, see our blog on pairing KSPtabs with fruit.
Limit sugary drinks
Reduce your consumption of sugary beverages, as they can contribute to dehydration and excessive calorie intake. A 2016 study published by the NIH found that sugary soft-drink-like beverages can actually worsen dehydration and contribute to kidney injury.
Add electrolytes to your water
This is where KSP shines! Our tabs add essential electrolytes to your water, taste great, and are easy to travel with — just drop a tab into any glass of water and you're done. During the holidays, we recommend 2–3 tabs daily for optimal hydration and kidney support. Curious how it works? See the science behind KSPtabs.
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