Tips to help you stay hydrated during Ramazan

Thirst is a sign of dehydration. After a couple of days of fasting, thirst becomes a normal feeling, so try to notice other, obvious signs of dehydration: cracked lips, flushed skin, fatigue, increased body temperature etc.

In order to keep yourself hydrated, you need to avoid reaching the point where you feel thirsty and here is how you can do that:

Drinking at least one and a half litres of water is essential.  As water is lost when you sleep, urinate, sweat and even when you breathe, your body becomes dehydrated. To keep yourself hydrated, drink at least seven to eight glasses of water throughout the night.

To flush out toxins from your body and stay active, you must avoid spicy food.

Eat less salt as it induces thirst.

Be careful when picking your daytime clothes during Ramazan. The color of your shirt, the fabric of your pants, and the layers of clothes all play an important role in keeping your body temperature as low as possible.  A loose cotton t-shirt, which allows your sweat to evaporate, is the best option.

Artificial sweeteners such as those in processed juices and flavoured yoghurt should be avoided. Fresh yoghurat, on the other hand, helps quench thirst and makes you feel energised for long durations.

Cold showers help in many ways to rehydrate you during the month of Ramazan. Spend five to 10 minutes under cool water to get an instant feeling of rejuvenation. If you are at work, wet a small towel with ice water and apply the towel to your forehead, the area around your ears, the base of your neck, the upper back and the chest.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 11^th, 2014.

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