23 June is National Hydration Day, a day that was created to remind us to replace fluids lost during the heat of battle.
The human body is made up of more than 60 per cent water, and maintaining that balance while training is a challenge. During the summer months it is even more important to stay hydrated, as becoming dehydrated or overheated can lead to heat stroke and possible death.
One way to ensure you do not become dehydrated is to make sure you are properly hydrated even before starting your workout. If you are under-hydrated before you start, it will be hard to catch up once the sweating starts.
Make sure you drink plenty of fluids throughout your workout session. These can include sports drinks which contain electrolytes (magnesium, calcium, sodium and potassium) to replenish the essential minerals lost through perspiration.
After the workout, you need to continue with fluid replenishing, as your body will still be needing it.
National Hydration Day was founded by the SafeTGard Corporation to honour football coach Victor Hawkins (1 September 1964 – 23 June 2012) who invented a mouth guard that releases electrolytes, thus ensuring his players stayed hydrated during games and practices. The day also honours his contributions made to athlete health, safety and success.
The day was founded to increase awareness of the importance of proper hydration to athletes everywhere. The day was approved by the Registrar at National Day Calendar in 2016.
To celebrate today, remember to stay hydrated – whether you are an athlete or not.
Use #NationalHydrationDay to post on social media.
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