2 Creative Ways To Stay Hydrated in the Third Trimester
Pregnancy is one of the most precious and unique periods of any woman’s journey. To create and then cradle a whole new life is one of the greatest gifts that nature bequeaths us. That's why it’s so important to ensure that while you are pregnant, you are in the best physical condition possible. Of course, I’m not suggesting you go out and sign up for your local 10k (though if you do, you have my complete respect!). I am saying that as you carry this new life into the world, you need to make sure you are taking care of yourself. During your pregnancy, your baby gets all of its nutrients from you. I know you’ve probably heard this before, but it bears repeating. Your baby gets all of its nutrients from you. So, of course, you’ll want to ensure you’re giving everything you can to your baby. Not only does that mean eating healthily, but also making sure you drink enough water. Water is fundamental to the human experience. It's foundational to the core animus of how our bodies work that sometimes we forget how profoundly our hydration affects us in our day-to-day lives. For that reason, I decided to make this incredible guide on why keeping hydrated is so essential, as well as some fun tips to keep yourself relaxed, hydrated, and thriving!
Why Is Hydration So Important?
For some of my older readers who have heard me time and again extol the virtues of keeping yourself well hydrated, this might seem like old hat. But for those who aren’t sure what effects keeping hydrated can have on the body. Let's dig in! Drinking water is one of the most important things one can do for their body. Look at it this way, you can go about eight days without eating, but only three days without water. Though that may be a semi-facile analogy, it bears great importance. Hydration affects every part of your body. Keeping well hydrated has increased your cognition, energy levels, mood, sleep quality, and many other important factors affecting your daily life. Hydration also positively impacts the way your body processes food. This is passed onto your baby as you process the nutrients you consume more efficiently. Give your child the best, most refined version of whatever you eat. For more information, check out this amazing article on the effects of dehydration during pregnancy. But for now, let's move on and talk about some fun ways to stay hydrated!
Ice Chips!
Now that we’ve spoken briefly about why hydration is so important to the body. Let us focus on the how. We all live busy lives. And for some, it can be hard to guzzle down 12 glasses of water a day. So what's a handy way we can use to supplement that? This entry is a bit of a cheat, but it has worked wonders for me. Consider filling a glass with ice chips! Ice chips are an amazing tool for hydration, as they give you the same feeling as eating a snack. But instead, they keep you cool and hydrated! This is a beautiful solution for those who like to munch away on something as they work. They fulfill the same oral sensation and give you the rich hydration your body craves!
A Gallon A Day!
The fantastic thing about water is that you can't drink too much of it. Our bodies love water and will utilize almost every ounce we drink. With that in mind, let's talk about one of the most foolproof methods of keeping yourself hydrated. I’m talking about drinking a gallon of water per day. This is one of the best solutions for anyone who wants to stay hydrated. To get started, buy any kind of reusable gallon jug, or just one of the plastic gallons you can get at any supermarket. Next, grab a marker. Make a line a fifth down the jug and let's call that morning. Then measure out another fifth down from your previous line. Make a new mark and label it noon. Continue this process down the jug, adding afternoon, evening, and night. Use these marks as your hydration goals for each time of day. This is a great way to get your gallon in because it gives you a clear target for where you want to end up. And also gives you an easy way to track how much water you've drank throughout the day. Now, if you can't quite make it to a gallon, that’s ok, the main thing to remember is that this is a goal and you may need to work up to it. But once you do you’re sure to notice its effect!
Staying hydrated is of the utmost importance when trying to stay healthy. Add pregnancy into the mix and it becomes crucial. You’re caring for two now, and your body needs all the support it can get. Keeping yourself hydrated is one of the most essential pillars of that support. Implementing either of these strategies can greatly impact your quality of life. Not just for you, but for your baby as well!