Spring is here! It is the perfect time of the year to start doing more outdoor exercises and activities. Whether you want to go for a jog around grounds or soak up some sun while reading on the lawn, there is one important thing you should keep in mind: staying hydrated!
Many students live by coffee or other forms of caffeine to keep them going throughout the day and especially late nights at the library, and while this is ok in moderation, caffeine can lead to negative effects. Livestong.com says, “Because caffeine is a diuretic, it can promote dehydration and negatively impact performance, especially in hot weather.”
You do not need to lay off on your Carmel macchiato fix, but remember to try and offset the negative caffeine effects by drinking lots of water. Mayo Clinic says that eight 8 ounce glasses of water (or as I call it: the 8×8) is the recommended daily intake, which can not only keep you healthy but can also be conducive to weight loss (CNN nutritionist ).
“But water is sooo boring” you say? This may be true but there are many ways to get your 8 x 8 without getting super sick of water. Something new I have tried is Metromint mint water. Metromint isn’t like other flavored waters that add sweeteners or other preservatives; it is all natural and really refreshing! And since the bottles are 16.9 ounce you can knock out two of your 8 x 8 reps with one bottle!
If you like to have a little more sugar in your drinks but still are looking to stay hydrated, another thing you can try is adding flavored packets of flavoring that you can sprinkle into a water bottle, such as crystal clear or propel. Just remember to watch your caffeine intake to stay healthy and hydrated!
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UVA chapter.