Stay Hydrated to Stay Mentally Sharp
Trying to avoid the midday slump or help your brain stay focused through the ups and downs of each day? It’s easy to grab a cup of coffee or hit the vending machine for a sugar rush when your brain needs a boost, but these only give you a short-lived burst of energy. And neither one may help you truly focus and get back on track, especially once the crash from sugar or caffeine hits.
Instead, the better choice may be to prioritize hydration. Staying hydrated can keep you focused and ready to take care of business no matter what surprises pop up in your day.
How Dehydration Affects the Brain
We’ve all felt that midafternoon crash where exhaustion starts to creep in or have had days where we don’t seem to be functioning as well as we could. The brain feels foggy and it’s hard to concentrate. You might be surprised to know that studies show that you only need to be 1-2% dehydrated to experience a 5% decrease in cognitive function. In other words, our thinking can slow with even the slightest bit of dehydration. So, grabbing a glass of water and rehydrating can help clear any brain fog.
Proper hydration can help with mental clarity and improve your mood, energy and attention. You can sharpen focus, improve memory retention and even reduce headaches.
The human brain is approximately 75% water, so it makes sense that hydration is so important to keeping your brain performing at its best. Mixing in electrolytes each day will add to those benefits, helping your body and brain stay hydrated and enabling crucial signals between your brain and body that enable nerve and muscle function.
3 Tips for Healthy Hydration
Use these three quick tips to make sure you’re getting the fluids and electrolytes you need for optimal brain performance.
1. Create a hydration routine.
Regular fluid intake is crucial to maintaining your hydration and its impact on brain function. Start your day with a glass of water and commit to drinking throughout the day. Life can get busy, so fill a reusable bottle and take it with you to work, the gym and wherever you go. Grab some Ultima Replenisher® stickpacks to keep in your bag for a boost of electrolytes and delicious plant-based flavors that add a revitalizing kick to your water.
2. Monitor your urine.
Eight glasses of water a day may be a popular standard, but the truth is everyone has different needs. One of the easiest ways to know if you’re hydrated is by checking the color of your urine. Pale yellow usually indicates you are well hydrated, but darker urine can be a reminder that you need more fluids.
3. Be mindful of ingredients.
Fortified waters and sports drinks can supply important vitamins and electrolytes, but they might also include sugar, dyes and caffeine that can contribute to dehydration or even digestive distress. Check labels to be sure the drinks you choose don’t have junk ingredients that can slow you down.
Hydrating with Ultima Replenisher® electrolyte drinks is a great way to give your brain the boost it needs without the sugars and artificial ingredients that other drinks might add. You get a balance of the six key electrolytes your body needs, plus our plant-based colors and flavors help make hydrating something you look forward to every day!
