It’s easier for me to stay hydrated during the summer when it’s 80 degrees and I’m out in it a lot. Less easy are these winter days when I may not even get outside at all because it’s so cold and dreary. I tend to choose hot drinks rather than cold, which would be okay except they often have caffeine which dries me out more. December brings holiday drinks that may have alcohol in them, another drying factor, and then I wonder why my lips and hands are so dry all the time?

One of my husband’s exercise coaches gave him a good tip which I try to use myself. She matches any non-water drinks with an equal amount of water. If she has a soda, she has a glass of water to wash it down. If she has a cup of coffee, she follows it up with water. I am not able to follow this as closely as she does, but it has increased my awareness of what I am drinking. I also make sure that we both have a glass of water with every meal, even breakfast. If I wait until I’m thirsty, it’s just too late.

An article on the Cleveland Clinic Healthy Essentials website mentions that being dehydrated can make me feel fatigued, dizzy, cranky or anxious, things I can minimize simply by drinking enough water. Being a CarePartner can be tough and it’s important for me to do whatever I can to make sure my body is working properly so I can overcome those challenges. It seems like drinking plenty of water could be an easy solution to some of the difficulties I might face.

To see the entire article on hydration and seniors, click here Drink up.