It is common knowledge that drinking plenty of water is essential for keeping healthy. It is easy to associate dehydration with hot weather but did you know that dehydration can also affect you in colder climates as well? So whether you plan on a two-week vacation in the sun or a skiing trip to the Swiss Alps this year, it is imperative to keep an eye on your water intake to stay as hydrated as possible. The following article will explain some key facts to ensure that you keep on top of that all-important water intake during your holiday.
We strongly recommend that you carry a European Health Insurance Card with you at all times during your holiday in case you fall ill as a result of the effects of dehydration. A European Health Insurance Card gives you access to state-provided healthcare at a reduced cost or even for free in some cases on the same basis as a citizen from the same country.
It is unadvisable to drink alcohol, especially in large quantities. However, if you are drinking alcohol while on holiday, particularly in hot climates, try drinking bottles of water in between rounds. Drinking alcohol dehydrates your body so it is imperative to have a bottle of water handy to consume after you have stopped drinking for the day to minimise the effects of the next day hangover
Being dehydrated will result in you feeling fatigued. However, drinking plenty of water can help you to overcome feeling fatigued. This is because the majority of your blood is made up of water. Therefore, if your body is not taking in enough water, the blood in your body will thicken and your heart will have to work that much harder to pump it around your body. This results in more of your body’s energy being used up in the process leading to you feeling tired. This can be detrimental to your holiday experience so make sure to keep yourself constantly hydrated.
Dehydration can also make you feel bloated. This happens when you are dehydrated because your body holds onto the water it has left in its system as it does not know where its next supply of water will come from. By drinking plenty of water, your body will not feel the need to store water which results in you losing the excess water weight and the feeling of being bloated.
As explained previously, holidays in cold environments can potentially make you susceptible to dehydration. When exercising in cold temperatures, we lose water simply through breathing in the form of condensation. This is why hydration should be taken just as seriously when we are on holiday in areas with these kinds of temperatures so always make sure to keep an eye on your water intake.
You can apply for a European Health Insurance Card online. Each online application lets you apply for yourself, a partner and up to four dependent children under the age of eighteen.
