Everyone knows that staying hydrated is important for personal health and safety. Whether you are playing sports, hiking, camping, hunting, or any physical activity – it is essential that you maintain proper hydration.
But how much water are you supposed to drink? Well that depends on the amount of physical exercise, your environment, and specific health conditions. The Institute of Medicine has determined that the adequate intake for men is roughly 13 cups – and for women 9 cups – of fluid per day. You should always account for the type of activities you’ll be doing as well as variable such as temperature.
Staying safely hydrated is more than simply drinking enough water. Make sure to supplement your water with electrolytes if it is especially hot or your activities are strenuous. Also, if you are in the outdoors, it is important to properly filter and sometimes boil any water from natural streams or rivers. This prevents parasites and illness that can lead to serious health complications and even death.
Many athletes and outdoors enthusiasts choose not to carry water with them because the bottles are not ergonomic, or they don’t fit well inside or on their pack. This is unwise. There are multiple hydration options that have been specifically designed for athletes and outdoorsmen. At Outersports.com you can find many options for both water filtration and functional hydration bottles and packs to fit your specific needs.