Keeping Refreshed As A Fresher: Tips To Stay Hydrated At Uni

It’s the time of year when thousands of young people are heading off to start their university career. It all kicks off with a bang with freshers’ week, which is designed to help new students break the ice as they try new activities together and attend social events. This can be a fun experience, but also a rather exhausting one!

Some students may throw themselves into their new life with great energy, but if they don’t manage their health and hydration carefully enough, it can impact their experience and even lead to a longer bout of illness. Here are some tips for staying well hydrated at uni.

Start your day with a glass of water

Replenishing your fluids soon after you wake up will help you to start your day on the right foot. Our bodies are made up of around 60 per cent water, and we lose fluids constantly as we breathe and perspire. We need to be adequately hydrated for our brain to function optimally, so a glass of water will set you up for better focus and concentration in lectures.

Good hydration also means that your muscles and major organs will be functioning on top form, giving you the stamina and energy to tackle the rigours of student life, whether that’s hitting the gym or staying up late to meet an essay deadline. It will also help to keep your mood stable and positive. 

Carry a reusable water bottle

Get into the habit of carrying a reusable water bottle with you during the day so you can top up at regular intervals. This is better than waiting until you are really thirsty and drinking a large amount of water at once because your body can’t process a sudden influx effectively, and most likely it will just prompt a trip to the loo.

If you dislike the taste of plain water, add a few drops of fruit juice or lightly muddled herbs to give it some flavour. This will be better for your health (and also your bank balance) than buying drinks that may contain high levels of sugar, sweetener, and artificial flavours and preservatives.

Stock up on rehydration tablets

There will probably be times when despite your best efforts, you will need more than a glass of water to rehydrate quickly. Rehydration tablets can be added to water and will replenish lost electrolytes (minerals such as sodium, magnesium and potassium), and will help your body to rehydrate faster. 

Keep an eye on your alcohol consumption 

Having the odd alcoholic drink or two is all part of the fresher experience for many students. However, alcohol is a diuretic, meaning that it will increase urine production, and this can soon lead to dehydration. Try to drink water or a soft drink between each alcoholic drink to avoid waking up with the hangover from hell. 

Manage caffeine intake

It can be tempting to drink lots of tea or coffee to give you a caffeine hit as you power through those assignments, but caffeine also has a diuretic effect on the body and you will end up more tired and dehydrated. Try to drink no more than three or four cups of tea or coffee per day. 

Beware of freshers flu

The dreaded freshers’ flu can be difficult to avoid, as thousands of people from across the country descend in one place and socialise enthusiastically. It’s obviously not possible or desirable to completely isolate yourself, but taking reasonable precautions can help you to minimise the risk or recover quicker should you catch a dose.

The symptoms of flu include a high temperature, a sore throat, a cough, aching muscles, and fatigue. The Covid pandemic has made us all more aware of the actions we can take to reduce the spread of viral infections, such as frequent hand washing. 

Carry a bottle of anti-bacterial gel with you so that you can clean your hands easily without having to locate a washroom. Regularly clean your accommodation, paying particular attention to kitchens and bathrooms. Wipe down surfaces with antibacterial spray and wash towels and cloths regularly. 

If you do catch a dose, in most cases a couple of days’ rest and plenty of hot drinks and wholesome food will set you on the right path to recovery. If your symptoms persist for more than seven days, contact a doctor.