Electrolytes: The Key To Powering Through The Festive Season
The festive season is in full swing and it’s a time of joy, celebration and maybe a little overindulgence. It’s also a really busy time of the year, often involving extra chores such as gift shopping, decorating and cooking, and a few late nights. This can be enjoyable of course, but it can also take its toll on your energy levels.
Here’s a look at how maintaining adequate hydration and electrolyte levels can help you to power through the festive season and make sure that you are at your best.
The link between hydration and electrolyte levels
Electrolytes are minerals such as sodium, calcium, magnesium and potassium, and they play a key role in regulating the fluid balance in the body, as well as helping to maintain energy levels and muscle function. When we sweat, urinate or consume dehydrating drinks such as alcohol and coffee, we lose electrolytes that are present in the body’s fluids.
Most of us are probably familiar with the effects of dehydration after a heavy night or a long busy day: it can lead to fatigue, irritability, a thumping headache, dry mouth and sometimes even muscle cramps or dizzy spells. The obvious remedy is to drink water, but this will not help to restore your electrolyte balance very fast.
Therefore adding a simple electrolyte tablet to your water will help to speed up the rehydration process and help you to avoid a lengthy energy crash.
How to use electrolytes effectively over the festive season
Safeguard against hangovers
Most of us like to have a drink or two to enhance social interaction and relax into the holiday spirit. When you’re having a great night out, it can be easy to lose track of time and have one more drink than you meant to…or maybe even several. This can lead to the dreaded hangover, meaning that the next day is wasted just when you have a million things to do.
To avoid this unwelcome scenario, take precautions to ensure that you are well hydrated and not drinking on an empty stomach as the night begins. Try to alternate alcoholic drinks with water, and remember to top up with a rehydration tablet before you go to bed.
Combat holiday stress
December can be fun, but it can also be a stressful time of the year as well, with extra pressures to socialise, strain on finances and hosting duties. Having less time for relaxation and leisure than usual means that you may drink less water, because your normal routines are disrupted. Stress hormones can also make you more prone to dehydration.
Therefore staying well hydrated will help you to keep on top of your stress levels, helping you to stay calm and emotionally balanced whatever your schedule. It will also help to boost energy levels and mental clarity, so you will be more able to cope with any unexpected events or the inevitable hitches that occur even with the best laid plans.
Support your body through sudden dietary changes
Often we temporarily change our eating habits during December, consuming more salty and sugary foods during meals out and party nibbles. This can soon lead to water retention and blood sugar spikes, which can cause dehydration and tiredness. Plans can change at the last minute as you might have a spontaneous invitation, further disrupting your usual diet.
Often we travel more at this time of year, visiting friends or staying with relatives. This can make it more challenging to maintain your usual eating and drinking routine. Ensuring that you stay well hydrated will help your body to cope better with the changes, and guard against fatigue and headaches.
The festive season is meant to be enjoyed, and it would be a shame if depleted electrolyte levels are letting you down. The remedy is simply a matter of incorporating tablets into your daily routine, helping you to maintain your stamina and energy levels right through until the new year.
