One thing we don’t think enough on while swimming is hydration. Those who swim for a sport might, but the rest of us take a laid back approach to it. The issue is that hydration is vital to enjoying a pool. Both when you’re in it, but afterwards as well. Poor hydration is what makes us feel so worn down after a swim. We‘re not only talking about not drinking enough either. We also mean drinking the wrong things. We will look at some good things to drink and bad ones to avoid.
Good Drinks:
Water: Water is always the right answer. It’s simple hydration you can find anywhere. It rehydrates and nourishes you while you’re active. It also helps in other ways as well. Don’t drink pool water through. Pool water has chlorine which tastes terrible and makes you sick if you drink it.
Sports Drinks: There is a reason Gatorade markets to athletes. Sports drinks have electrolytes, potassium, and sodium. All things our body use to energize us. Many of these things leave our body when we sweat. Sports drinks helps replenish the supply. This way you don’t get wore out while swimming or afterwards.
Bad Drinks:
Energy Drinks: Energy drinks like Red Bull and Monster come packed with caffeine and sugar. It will give you a nice boost of energy. It will also bring you down from that boost of energy. Energy drinks cause temporary energy and longer energy drains. So you might get some energy for the pool, but be useless for the rest of the day. Not a great balance. It’s also not good to feel drained while swimming.
Alcohol: What’s better than a cold beer on a hot summer day? Not much, unless you’re swimming. Beer does a few things that make it a good drink to avoid near the water. For one, it lowers your body temperature, increasing your chances of hypothermia. It also impairs your judgement. This includes judging distance, depth, and ability. Too much alcohol can even leave you disoriented in the water. So leave the six pack for dry land.
This is also good information for outside the pool. Hydration is a key part of our everyday life. We wanted to make sure you followed it in our pools. Don’t have a pool yet? No problem, Artesian Pools have the hook up. Contact the Pool Builders in Daytona Beach you’re friends and neighbors trust. We’ll be happy to help.
