Staying Hydrated is Important to Your Health
Staying properly hydrated is one of the simplest yet most powerful ways to support your health. Water fuels nearly every function in the body—from regulating temperature to transporting nutrients—and its importance increases dramatically when you’re physically active. During exercise, your body loses water through sweating as it works to cool itself down. If you don’t replace those lost fluids, you may begin to experience fatigue, reduced endurance, and decreased energy levels much sooner than expected.
Hydration is vital not only for performance but also for safety. When the body becomes dehydrated, its temperature regulation system struggles, greatly increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Many people assume they are hydrated if they aren’t thirsty, but thirst is actually a late-stage signal. By the time you feel thirsty, your body may already be experiencing mild dehydration.
Early signs of dehydration can include dizziness, muscle cramps, nausea, headache, and overall fatigue. Learning to recognize these symptoms—and preventing them before they arise—is key. Maintaining consistent fluid intake before, during, and after exercise helps keep your body running efficiently and prevents dangerous drops in hydration.
Quality water matters just as much as quantity. Hydration is most effective when the water you’re drinking is clean, safe, and free from chemicals like chlorine, sediment, and heavy metals. If you live in Los Angeles, San Diego, or anywhere across Southern California, a Whole House Water Filtration System from Superior Water ensures that the water you drink, cook with, and shower in is high quality and great-tasting. When your water is clean and refreshing, staying hydrated becomes easier and more enjoyable.
To help you stay on track, here are the hydration guidelines recommended by the American College of Sports Medicine:
- Drink about 17 ounces of water 2–3 hours before exercise.
- Drink 8–10 ounces 10–20 minutes before your workout.
- Drink 8–10 ounces every 15 minutes during exercise.
Sipping gradually throughout your workout can be just as effective. - If your workout lasts more than an hour, consider a sports drink to replace electrolytes.
- Continue drinking water after your workout to replenish any remaining fluid loss.
Proper hydration keeps your body energized, reduces your risk of injury, and supports overall health. Make clean water a priority—and make hydration a daily habit.
