You always know when summer has arrived in South Florida. One day it is warm, and the next day your steering wheel is too hot to touch and a five-minute errand feels like cardio. In this type of heat, hydration is not something to think about later. It has to be part of the daily plan.
Water bottles have become their own little summer accessory, and there are plenty of options that can keep it stylish and fun. It can be as simple as finding a bottle you enjoy using and keeping it with you as you sip throughout the day. Owala bottles are popular for their built-in straw and sip-or-chug design. Stanley cups are still a favorite for the car and errands, while Hydro Flask and YETI bottles keep drinks cold for hours.
When it comes to hydrating, plain water is still the best place to start, but it doesn’t have to be boring. Add lemon, lime, cucumber, mint, berries, or orange slices for a hint of flavor. Keep a cold pitcher in the fridge so it is easy to pour a glass on the way in or out. Somehow, water with a few slices of fruit or herbs feels more refreshing, almost like something you would sip at a spa, even if it took almost no effort.
Electrolytes can help on the super-hot days, especially after a workout, a beach day, a long walk, or even a busy afternoon of errands in 95-degree weather. There are plenty of no-sugar powders, tablets, and drinks available now. You can also make a simple version at home by adding a squeeze of lemon or lime and a tiny pinch of salt to your water bottle. Add a little honey if you want it a bit sweeter.
Pure coconut water is another easy summer staple. It tastes tropical, feels beachy, and gives you something different when you are tired of plain old water. And for those getting their palm trees trimmed during hurricane season, think twice before letting all those coconuts get hauled away. If they are safe to use, a few backyard coconuts can become a refreshing, hydrating thirst quencher grown right in your own backyard. It does not get much more South Florida than that!
Certain foods help with hydration too. Watermelon, cucumber, strawberries, oranges, cantaloupe, celery, tomatoes, lettuce, zucchini, and bell peppers all add extra fluids without much effort. The Mayo Clinic notes that about 20% of the fluids we take in each day usually come from food, which makes summer fruits and vegetables an easy win. Keep sliced watermelon in the fridge, throw cucumber into a salad, or grab a handful of cold grapes when even turning on the oven feels unreasonable.
This summer, staying hydrated is all about being prepared. Fill the bottle, chill the watermelon, keep something cold within reach, and try to stay one step ahead of the kind of heat that makes you question every outdoor plan you ever made!