Stay Energized and Hydrated This Winter With These Simple Energy Boosting Tricks
From milk to music, these energy boosting tricks will keep you hydrated, focused and full of energy
The holiday season should be merry and bright, but if fatigue and brain fog are dragging you down, cold-weather dehydration could be the culprit. Research by the Baylor College of Medicine reveals that winter’s blood-vessel constriction dulls our thirst response by 40 percent, leaving many unknowingly dehydrated. This sneaky water loss can sap your energy, muddle your thinking and even raise stress levels. Luckily, staying hydrated doesn’t have to be complicated. With a few simple, science-backed tricks, you can boost hydration, regain energy and savor the season’s joys without missing a beat. Here’s how to feel your best this winter!
Start your day with dairy
Love drinking a glass of milk or sipping a milk-based smoothie in the morning? Good for you! In a British study, skim and whole milk proved better at boosting hydration than water or a sports drink. Researchers explain the lactose protein and fat in milk delay stomach emptying, so you stay hydrated for a longer period of time. Plus, the sodium in milk enhances fluid retention. Can’t do dairy? Opt for orange juice. In the same study, it enhanced hydration better than plain water did.
Hang your (wet) stockings
Turning up the thermostat chases away winter chills, but humidity levels of heated indoor air can be lower than the Sahara Desert. That’s a problem since Chinese research suggests spending 30 minutes in dry indoor air can sap fluid levels to significantly lower energy and mental clarity. Easy ways to up your home’s air humidity: Dry laundry indoors or set a slow cooker full of water on simmer without the lid. Tip: Add cinnamon sticks, cloves and citrus slices to the water for a festive scent.
Go for a gumdrop
Or crunch on a candy cane. Enjoying these classic holiday confections does more than satisfy your sweet tooth: A University of Texas Southwestern study suggests it also deters dehydration by triggering the desire to drink. The reason, according to researchers: A small dose of sugar increases the production of FGF21, a hormone produced by the liver. The hormone then travels to a brain region where it stimulates your thirst response.
Cue up carols
Findings in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society reveal listening to music with 60 to 80 beats per minute (think “The Christmas Song” by Nat King Cole or “Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy” by Bing Crosby and David Bowie) at bedtime can help you fall asleep faster and sleep more deeply in as little as two days. That’s key since Penn State scientists found people who got ample shut-eye were up to 59 percent less likely to suffer from dehydration than those who skimped on sleep. Experts explain that sleep optimizes the body’s levels of a hormone known as vasopressin that safeguards against fluid losses.
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