When cold winter weather arrives, it’s still important to stay hydrated. The season’s dry air means you should be mindful of your fluid intake. And your moisturizing routine. And the humidity levels in your home. In this post we show you all the ways to successfully stay hydrated in winter. It’s attainable and healthy. Don’t think of it as another chore, but instead as soothing self-care.
Comfort food. Soup season. Cozy time. Hibernation mode. Dry, cold air and dark, gray days. Cold and flu season. All the ups and downs of the season in a nutshell, right? One constant of winter is the importance of staying hydrated. Sure, you’re not sweating out tons of fluids under the hot summer sun, but winter air is extra-dry — it’s no friend to your skin and overall health. Adequate hydration is key to winter wellness.
Just as your mom (or a friend with mom-like energy!) may check in on you by asking if you’re drinking enough water, we’re here with similar advice: stay hydrated in winter! Read on to learn about the importance of staying hydrated in winter and the best ways to do it.
Why It’s Important To Stay Hydrated in Winter
Yes, even in winter your body needs lots of fluids to function its best. Year-round, benefits of staying hydrated include: enhanced physical and mental function, more energy, fewer headaches and false hunger cues, less irritability and anxiety, better focus, and sharper memory.
Winter Dehydration Facts
A shift toward cooler temps brings with it unique reasons to stay hydrated in winter. Colder air tends to have lower humidity, and forced air heating dries out the air even more. This increases risk of airway irritation and nosebleeds, and makes for a more painful sore throat. It takes a toll on your skin, too. Parched skin has a hard time soaking up moisture — picture a dry lake bed in the desert; rainfall runs off instead of soaking in. And even though you may sweat less in winter, it evaporates much faster from your body in low-humidity environments. So if you’re not mindful of your fluid intake and other measures to stay hydrated in winter, you can suffer from mild to moderate dehydration and its secondary effects.
Cold and flu season compounds the importance of staying hydrated in winter. What’s one of the first things any healthcare provider recommends when illness strikes? Fluids, fluids, fluids. That’s because a fever, which is a common symptom of flu, COVID-19, and other respiratory illnesses, draws water and electrolytes out of your body as you sweat. And when your sinuses and respiratory tract are congested, upping your fluid intake helps thin the mucus.
How To Stay Hydrated in Winter
Take a holistic approach to hydration. Yes, drink lots of fluids and eat foods with plenty of liquid, but also be sure to moisturize your skin and keep your sinuses from drying out. This three-pronged approach — hydration, moisturization, and humidification — boosts your health across the board.
Hydrate
Hydration news flash #1: Thirst is a late indicator of dehydration. Early signs include headache and lack of focus. So keep a healthy beverage within reach at all times and sip it on the regular in order to stay hydrated in winter.
Hydration news flash #2: Water is great, but it isn’t always the best choice. A little bit of electrolytes — which you won’t find in plain water — go a long way in maintaining proper fluid balances to keep all your body systems in optimal working order. Find electrolytes in citrus-infused water and tea, fruit, soup, and cold-pressed juices, not sugary drinks. And when the goal is to hydrate, avoid alcohol.
So how much fluid do you need each day in order to stay hydrated in winter? Men require about 15.5 cups while women require about 11.5. Does this mean you must chug water all day? Nope! There are lots of different ways to get adequate fluids to keep you hydrated.
Best Beverages To Stay Hydrated in Winter:
With tons of variety, these options keep hydration from being a boring endeavor.
Hot Tea With a Twist
What would winter be without the cherished ritual of sipping a hot beverage? When you make it an herbal tea with a tiny bit of honey and a slice of lemon, you get the electrolyte balance your body needs. And a hot beverage isn’t just warming, it’s also therapeutic for a sore throat and congestion. Drink up!
Cold-Pressed Juices and Shots
Thistle has you covered for this one. Our cold-pressed juices and shots keep your fluid intake interesting and offer plenty of electrolytes. Get important antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals of a pile of fruits and veggies in one beverage. With electrolyte-rich coconut water, Refreshing Greens is a great hydrating option on our juice menu. Be sure to give them all a try and find your favorites.
For more about all the goodness found in Thistle’s juices and shots, check out these other posts:
10 Immunity-Boosting Foods In Our Juices & Shots | Green Juice: Spring In A Glass | Thistle’s Favorite Juice Hacks
Spruced-Up Water
Like herbal tea, when you add a slice of lemon or a few berries to your water you get the right balance of electrolytes with a subtle flavor boost to boot. It’s a win-win, and it’s an especially good option for those who tend to opt for unhealthy sugary drinks instead of water and other unsweetened beverages. If you want to get extra fancy with your electrolyte consumption to stay hydrated in winter, try some of these recipes.
Surprising Sources of Hydration:
Drinking fluids aren’t the only way to stay hydrated in the winter. Switch it up and stay hydrated in winter by eating them, too. Seek out foods with a high-moisture content. Fruit and soup are two of our faves.
Fruit
Regularly eating seasonal fruits like citrus will help you stay hydrated in winter (and prevent kidney stones, one complication of dehydration). Oranges and other citrus fruits are full of juice and electrolytes and lots of other good stuff to keep you healthy: vitamin C, antioxidants, and fiber.
Soup
Hot soup is a wintertime mainstay, and for good reason. Be sure to frequently consume its brothy and electrolyte-rich goodness in order to stay hydrated in winter. Might we suggest the soups on Thistle’s menu? Imagine: ready-to-eat spring minestrone, Thai carrot squash soup, chili verde, and sweet potato corn chowder delivered straight to your door.
Moisturize
Your skin is your body’s largest organ. While it definitely benefits from increased fluid intake, skin often needs targeted care in order to stay hydrated in winter. Dry air and frequent hand-washing can wreak havoc if you don’t moisturize. When your skin gets so dry that it cracks and bleeds (especially on your hands), that makes you more susceptible to irritation and infection.
Here are some tips for making the most of your moisturizing routine:
Cool It Down
As therapeutic as a hot shower may feel on a cold winter day, high water temps tend to dry out your skin. Help skin stay hydrated in winter by turning it down a few degrees.
Lose the Lotions, Cue Up the Creams
The most nourishing and moisturizing products come in cream form. They do a better job than lotion penetrating the skin, locking in moisture, and don’t evaporate as quickly. So for those extra dry spots like feet, hands, elbows, etc., opt for cream. And don’t forget lip balm!
Apply ASAP
As soon as you get out of the shower or bath, apply moisturizer wherever needed while your skin is still slightly damp. When warm and wet, your skin is more amenable to absorption and you’ll be able to lock in more moisture.
Humidify
Winter air is dry, often to a hostile degree. Flu viruses live longer in the air and on surfaces and recovery rates from COVID-19 appear to be lower in low-humidity environments. This same environment makes for dry skin, chapped lips, and stuffy noses. Dry air may even increase stress levels. Clearly, it’s important to stay hydrated in winter, but it’s a challenge. The solution? Humidify the air to a relative humidity of 30-60%.
If your HVAC system includes a whole-house humidifier, set it to 30-60% and follow the maintenance schedule for cleaning the filter. This will help fight winter dehydration. Your skin, nasal passages (you may also want to give nasal spray a try), and other sensitive tissues in your body will thank you. If you don’t have a whole-house humidifier, use a portable cool-mist model in your bedroom at night. Distilled water and regular cleaning will keep it grime-free.
Don’t be fooled into thinking you can’t get dehydrated in winter. Now’s the time to get plenty of fluids (you can’t go wrong with Thistle’s cold-pressed juices and shots!), take care of your dry skin, and use a humidifier. When you take the appropriate steps to stay hydrated in winter, you’ll feel your best and be less susceptible to illness. Hibernate in health, show cold and flu season who’s boss, and stay healthy and hydrated this winter.
When cold winter weather arrives, it’s still important to stay hydrated. The season’s dry air means you should be mindful of your fluid intake. And your moisturizing routine. And the humidity levels in your home. In this post we show you all the ways to successfully stay hydrated in winter. It’s attainable and healthy. Don’t think of it as another chore, but instead as soothing self-care.
Comfort food. Soup season. Cozy time. Hibernation mode. Dry, cold air and dark, gray days. Cold and flu season. All the ups and downs of the season in a nutshell, right? One constant of winter is the importance of staying hydrated. Sure, you’re not sweating out tons of fluids under the hot summer sun, but winter air is extra-dry — it’s no friend to your skin and overall health. Adequate hydration is key to winter wellness.
Just as your mom (or a friend with mom-like energy!) may check in on you by asking if you’re drinking enough water, we’re here with similar advice: stay hydrated in winter! Read on to learn about the importance of staying hydrated in winter and the best ways to do it.
Why It’s Important To Stay Hydrated in Winter
Yes, even in winter your body needs lots of fluids to function its best. Year-round, benefits of staying hydrated include: enhanced physical and mental function, more energy, fewer headaches and false hunger cues, less irritability and anxiety, better focus, and sharper memory.
Winter Dehydration Facts
A shift toward cooler temps brings with it unique reasons to stay hydrated in winter. Colder air tends to have lower humidity, and forced air heating dries out the air even more. This increases risk of airway irritation and nosebleeds, and makes for a more painful sore throat. It takes a toll on your skin, too. Parched skin has a hard time soaking up moisture — picture a dry lake bed in the desert; rainfall runs off instead of soaking in. And even though you may sweat less in winter, it evaporates much faster from your body in low-humidity environments. So if you’re not mindful of your fluid intake and other measures to stay hydrated in winter, you can suffer from mild to moderate dehydration and its secondary effects.
Cold and flu season compounds the importance of staying hydrated in winter. What’s one of the first things any healthcare provider recommends when illness strikes? Fluids, fluids, fluids. That’s because a fever, which is a common symptom of flu, COVID-19, and other respiratory illnesses, draws water and electrolytes out of your body as you sweat. And when your sinuses and respiratory tract are congested, upping your fluid intake helps thin the mucus.
How To Stay Hydrated in Winter
Take a holistic approach to hydration. Yes, drink lots of fluids and eat foods with plenty of liquid, but also be sure to moisturize your skin and keep your sinuses from drying out. This three-pronged approach — hydration, moisturization, and humidification — boosts your health across the board.
Hydrate
Hydration news flash #1: Thirst is a late indicator of dehydration. Early signs include headache and lack of focus. So keep a healthy beverage within reach at all times and sip it on the regular in order to stay hydrated in winter.
Hydration news flash #2: Water is great, but it isn’t always the best choice. A little bit of electrolytes — which you won’t find in plain water — go a long way in maintaining proper fluid balances to keep all your body systems in optimal working order. Find electrolytes in citrus-infused water and tea, fruit, soup, and cold-pressed juices, not sugary drinks. And when the goal is to hydrate, avoid alcohol.
So how much fluid do you need each day in order to stay hydrated in winter? Men require about 15.5 cups while women require about 11.5. Does this mean you must chug water all day? Nope! There are lots of different ways to get adequate fluids to keep you hydrated.
Best Beverages To Stay Hydrated in Winter:
With tons of variety, these options keep hydration from being a boring endeavor.
Hot Tea With a Twist
What would winter be without the cherished ritual of sipping a hot beverage? When you make it an herbal tea with a tiny bit of honey and a slice of lemon, you get the electrolyte balance your body needs. And a hot beverage isn’t just warming, it’s also therapeutic for a sore throat and congestion. Drink up!
Cold-Pressed Juices and Shots
Thistle has you covered for this one. Our cold-pressed juices and shots keep your fluid intake interesting and offer plenty of electrolytes. Get important antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals of a pile of fruits and veggies in one beverage. With electrolyte-rich coconut water, Refreshing Greens is a great hydrating option on our juice menu. Be sure to give them all a try and find your favorites.
For more about all the goodness found in Thistle’s juices and shots, check out these other posts:
10 Immunity-Boosting Foods In Our Juices & Shots | Green Juice: Spring In A Glass | Thistle’s Favorite Juice Hacks
Spruced-Up Water
Like herbal tea, when you add a slice of lemon or a few berries to your water you get the right balance of electrolytes with a subtle flavor boost to boot. It’s a win-win, and it’s an especially good option for those who tend to opt for unhealthy sugary drinks instead of water and other unsweetened beverages. If you want to get extra fancy with your electrolyte consumption to stay hydrated in winter, try some of these recipes.
Surprising Sources of Hydration:
Drinking fluids aren’t the only way to stay hydrated in the winter. Switch it up and stay hydrated in winter by eating them, too. Seek out foods with a high-moisture content. Fruit and soup are two of our faves.
Fruit
Regularly eating seasonal fruits like citrus will help you stay hydrated in winter (and prevent kidney stones, one complication of dehydration). Oranges and other citrus fruits are full of juice and electrolytes and lots of other good stuff to keep you healthy: vitamin C, antioxidants, and fiber.
Soup
Hot soup is a wintertime mainstay, and for good reason. Be sure to frequently consume its brothy and electrolyte-rich goodness in order to stay hydrated in winter. Might we suggest the soups on Thistle’s menu? Imagine: ready-to-eat spring minestrone, Thai carrot squash soup, chili verde, and sweet potato corn chowder delivered straight to your door.
Moisturize
Your skin is your body’s largest organ. While it definitely benefits from increased fluid intake, skin often needs targeted care in order to stay hydrated in winter. Dry air and frequent hand-washing can wreak havoc if you don’t moisturize. When your skin gets so dry that it cracks and bleeds (especially on your hands), that makes you more susceptible to irritation and infection.
Here are some tips for making the most of your moisturizing routine:
Cool It Down
As therapeutic as a hot shower may feel on a cold winter day, high water temps tend to dry out your skin. Help skin stay hydrated in winter by turning it down a few degrees.
Lose the Lotions, Cue Up the Creams
The most nourishing and moisturizing products come in cream form. They do a better job than lotion penetrating the skin, locking in moisture, and don’t evaporate as quickly. So for those extra dry spots like feet, hands, elbows, etc., opt for cream. And don’t forget lip balm!
Apply ASAP
As soon as you get out of the shower or bath, apply moisturizer wherever needed while your skin is still slightly damp. When warm and wet, your skin is more amenable to absorption and you’ll be able to lock in more moisture.
Humidify
Winter air is dry, often to a hostile degree. Flu viruses live longer in the air and on surfaces and recovery rates from COVID-19 appear to be lower in low-humidity environments. This same environment makes for dry skin, chapped lips, and stuffy noses. Dry air may even increase stress levels. Clearly, it’s important to stay hydrated in winter, but it’s a challenge. The solution? Humidify the air to a relative humidity of 30-60%.
If your HVAC system includes a whole-house humidifier, set it to 30-60% and follow the maintenance schedule for cleaning the filter. This will help fight winter dehydration. Your skin, nasal passages (you may also want to give nasal spray a try), and other sensitive tissues in your body will thank you. If you don’t have a whole-house humidifier, use a portable cool-mist model in your bedroom at night. Distilled water and regular cleaning will keep it grime-free.
Don’t be fooled into thinking you can’t get dehydrated in winter. Now’s the time to get plenty of fluids (you can’t go wrong with Thistle’s cold-pressed juices and shots!), take care of your dry skin, and use a humidifier. When you take the appropriate steps to stay hydrated in winter, you’ll feel your best and be less susceptible to illness. Hibernate in health, show cold and flu season who’s boss, and stay healthy and hydrated this winter.
