Fishing on the Net

By Bonnie Nelson

Staying Cool!

As the temperatures in the area heat up we need to pay attention to what our bodies are doing.  Are you feeling cranky when it gets warm?  Maybe it means you are dehydrated.   The body does not like extreme heat.  If the weather is warm and your mood is changing be aware that you may be getting overheated. 

Drink water.  Water might seem like the new “in” thing. Water is essential to your health. Water makes up approximately 60 to 70 percent of the human body by weight, so all of us need to stay hydrated to keep our bodies running smoothly. 

Prolonged exposure to heat can cause everything from mild dehydration to heatstroke. Pay attention to your body, especially if you are sweating heavily or have any fatigue, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea/ vomiting and fainting (http://fitness.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_to_stay_hydrated).
As we get older, the body is able to conserve less water. Your sense of thirst also becomes less acute and your body does not respond to temperatures as well. Infants and children have low body weights and sweating capacity, but they go through a high amount of water and electrolytes.  Here are a few points to consider this summer.
* Never leave children or pets in a parked vehicle.
* Drink more water, even if you’re not particularly thirsty.  Thirst is not an accurate indicator of hydration.
* If working outdoors, take plenty of breaks in the shade and drink sports drinks to replace lost minerals.
* Limit exercise.
* If possible, stay in an air-conditioned building. If you don’t have A/C visit malls, the library or other cool public places.
* Take a cool bath or shower.
* Drink approximately two cups (.5L) of water in the two hours before exercising, then drink an additional 1/2–3/4 cups (118–172 ml) for every 15 minutes of activity.
* Water is the best fluid for staying hydrated during exercise sessions of less than one hour. For longer sessions, carbohydrate solutions can be beneficial.
* Caffeine and alcohol don’t count. In fact they both act as diuretics, meaning you urinate more.
* Packing ready-to-eat fruits in sealable plastic bags can be a great way to restore fluids and vitamins during outdoor activities (http://www.plasticsinfo.org/s_plasticsinfo/ sec_level4_wrap.asp?cid=524&did=2693).
Staying hydrated will help your endurance, help prevent heat problems, assist your body in working efficiently, and help prevent injuries.

Bonnie Nelson is a freelance writer living in Fountain, CO. If you have any comments or questions, email her at waltbon@comcast.net

CONTACT THE WRITER • WALTBON@COMCAST.nET

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