May is officially here, signifying summer activities are right around the corner! This time of year our family spends more time outdoors than inside. Whether it is an afternoon walking at the zoo, a long day of hiking through the woods, a weekend camping under the stars, or a day just spent lazing around on a warm summer day outside– we seem to be always on the go. We are definitely outdoor enthusiasts!
Unfortunately, along with the fun outdoor activities comes the danger of the summer heat, thus it is very essential to find ways to stay hydrated while away from home. One thing is for certain, it is a bad idea to be deep within the woods, on a boat far from shore or traveling anywhere else remote without having the proper measures of quenching your thirst! Excess heat exposure can lead to dehydration, which in return is able to cause conditions like muscle cramps, headaches or more serious situations needing medical attention such as heat stroke. Sometimes we need a friendly reminder how important it is to be equipped with the appropriate gear during outdoor excursions! With that being said, I would like to share with you five tips to help prevent dehydration when enjoying the great outdoors.
5 tips to help prevent dehydration for outdoor enthusiasts.
Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug
This mug is an outdoor enthusiast must have! For anyone who spends a lot of time outdoors you have probably already heard of Zojirushi’s Vacuum Mugs? I recently had the chance to test out the product myself and have to say I am mighty impressed with the overall design, durability, and performance of the Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug.
Zojirushi Corporation has been making vacuum bottles for 90 years. The company also produces high-quality and attractive other indoor and outdoor products like easy-to-use rice cookers, elegant beverage dispensers, breadmakers, skillets, and other various items. But Zojirushi is probably most recognized for its variety of popular stainless steel vacuum bottles, because they are able to keep beverages hot or cold for an insanely amount of hours!
Claims are just claims, so I wanted to see this mug in action! I performed two series of testing. The first test I filled the mug with hot water, measured the temperature, and left it alone for six hours. The second time I performed the same test, but using ice cold water. As you can see from the pictures below the temperatures barely moved in both tests in 6 hours. In fact, in the cold temperature test the water was slightly colder than the reading I took in the beginning. When I opened the stainless steel insulated mug there where ice cubes still floating on top after 6 hours. In the hot water experiment the temperature went down approximately 20 degrees, but the water still was piping hot. The tests indicate the mug is extremely well insulated and all hype about it keeping liquids hot or cold for long periods of time is factual. It is a mug definitely worth bragging about!
The sleek no leak compact design makes this stainless steel mug ideal for packing and traveling. Nothing is worse than packing a mug full of tea, coffee, juice, or soup to find it has leaked all over your important gear. I am sure you can agree? No worries about that happening with the Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug! The tightly fitted flip lid keeps contents hot and secure inside while the safety lock prevents accidental opening. I shook the mug repeatedly, turned it upside down, and left it on its side for an hour. Not one drop leaked out.
The Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug is an awesome travel companion and great for keeping you hydrated outdoors. It comes in two sizes (12 oz and 16 oz) and is available in several aesthetically pleasing colors; Smoky Blue, Champagne Gold, Black, Lavender Pink, and Stainless. The mug’s wide mouth makes it easy to clean and fill. Plus, the SlickSteel finish interior is corrosion resistant and repels stains, which will help your mug stay looking newer longer. It is on the pricey side (listing price $42.00), but you are getting what you pay for…a quality built mug.
Go natural
Instead of downing sugar heavy sports beverages or fruit juices, try replenishing your electrolytes levels naturally with coconut water. Coconut water is rich in potassium and magnesium, fat and cholesterol free and low in calories. Don’t like the taste of coconut water? Bring along a banana and plenty of water instead!
Wear appropriate clothing
Dress for the occasion! If it’s a hot, humid day prevent overheating by wearing light-weight, light-colored clothing to stay cool. Choose fabrics that breathe such as cotton, linen, and other natural fibers. Those types of fabrics are known to wick away the moisture while keeping the body cool.
Don’t wait until you get thirsty to drink!
By the time you start feeling thirsty you are probably already on your way of becoming dehydrated. According to the American College of Sports Medicine, active individuals should drink at least 16- 20 ounces of fluid one to two hours before an outdoor activity to prevent dehydration. After that, they suggest you should ingest 6 to 12 ounces of fluid about every 10 to 15 minutes that you are outside. Once you have finished the activity you should drink more to replace what you have lost. Depending upon the activity, you ought to consume approximately 2 to 3 additional cups.
The best way to test if you are properly hydrated is to check your urine. If it’s clear or pale yellow you are likely hydrated enough. Darker color urine is a good indicator you need to drink more.
Recognize your limitations
There is no need to try and be a superhero in 90 degree weather! Do not over exert yourself. Take a break if you begin to feel too hot or tired and wait until you cool down to resume any activity.
The best bet is to avoid being in the sun when it is the strongest (10am to 4pm) and reschedule any strenuous outdoor activity (biking, hiking, climbing, ect…) for a day that is cooler. If you can’t reschedule than be sure to wear a hat and use a good high-factor sunscreen to prevent getting sunburn. When the skin becomes exposed to too much of the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays, it is at risk of burning. Sunburn raises the body temperature which can lead to dehydration!
So, those are my tips on how to stay hydrated outdoors! How do you plan on beating dehydration this summer? Do you already own a Zojirushi’s Vacuum Mug? If you do how do you like it? If not would you be interested in purchasing the product?
Zojirushi Vacuum Mug: Rafflecopter Giveaway
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Zojirushi. The opinions and text are all mine.
