Moving in Central Texas during the spring and summer is no joke. It can get hot under the big Texas sun, and lack of rain doesn’t make things any better. If you’re among the majority of movers that schedule a relocation during the summer one of the most important things to remember is you need to stay hydrated.
Since it’s Ice Tea Day and summer temperatures are on the rise we’re sharing how professional movers like us take steps to ensure our crew stays well hydrated during any move.
Why Dehydration Happens
Before discussing ways to stay hydrated, it’s worth taking a moment to discuss how dehydration happens in the first place. Water plays a vital role in just about every bodily function – we are 70% water after all. When we sweat out more water than we’re taking in and/or not drinking enough water it can throw everything out of whack and lead to dehydration.
It doesn’t take much to become dehydrated. When we overheat, which is easy to do during a summer move, we sweat to help regulate our rising body temperature. When we sweat we lose water and electrolytes (sodium and potassium) become imbalanced. If we don’t replace what we sweat out dehydration sets in.
Signs you’re dehydrated include:
- You stop sweating and overheat – this happens because you don’t have water reserves to create sweat.
- Fatigue
- Feeling lightheaded or dizzy, especially right after standing up
- Muscle cramps and/or spasms
- Heart palpitations
- No elasticity in your skin
- Dark yellow urine
- Dry mouth
- Swollen tongue
If you start to show signs of dehydration stop what you’re doing and start drinking fluids pronto. Severe dehydration can cause numerous health problems and easily land you in the hospital. To avoid a dehydration mishap all together follow the advice below for a smooth move.
Square Cow Movers’ Tips for Staying Hydrated During Summer Moves
Up the Sodium Levels of Liquids
It may sound strange, but a trick that the guys at Square Cow Movers use is putting salt in their Gatorade and water. For those that sweat a lot it’s a sure fire way of preventing dehydration. You can also add a few teaspoons of sugar to water.
Have a Huge Supply of Water, Juice and Sports Drinks on Hand
Prepare the day before the move by getting a good supply of water. We’re talking gallons, not just a few bottles. Have cups or bottles on standby as well. Sports drinks should also be swigged throughout the move because they help you replace the electrolytes that are lost when you sweat. Electrolytes help muscles properly function, which is a must for a move.
Drink Way More Than Normal
On a regular day, people need to drink at least 64oz to replenish water that’s lost. During the day of a move when you’re sweating and hauling boxes this number needs to be ramped way up. It’s safe to say you’ll want to just about double what you normally drink to stay properly hydrated.
Don’t Skip the Morning Coffee
There’s a myth out there that coffee leads to dehydration, but it’s just that – a myth. Recent studies have actually shown that caffeine doesn’t affect hydration levels and coffee actually helps keep the body hydrated almost as well as water.
Take Breaks
Plan for short breaks throughout the day. This will help you bring the body temperatures down and allow time for you to focus on rehydrating. Remember, if you or someone else gets sick it will be a much bigger setback than taking 5 or 10 minutes here and there to rest.
Designate an Air-Conditioned or Shaded Spot for Breaks
Sitting out in the hot sun can make dehydration worse. It’s best to have an air-conditioned area where movers can cool down, but at the very least there needs to be a shady spot outside.
Snack on Fruits
Fruits contain a lot of water, which makes them one of the best things to snack on during a move.
Take It Easy and Continue to Drink After the Move
At the end of the day you need to continue to stay hydrated by drinking a lot of water and sports drinks. Kick back and relax so your body can recover from the day’s work.
Want a surefire way to avoid dehydration on moving day? Give Square Cow Movers a call and let our professionals do the sweating and rehydrating for you!
Image Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Glass-half-full.jpeg
Original Source: https://squarecowmovers.com/ways-to-stay-hydrated-during-a-summer-move/