Drink Water. With Electrolytes.
Do you notice in the summer that you can feel more wiped out after a sweaty yoga class or run outside than in the winter months? You may be good about drinking water so you don’t consider that your fatigue can be from dehdration but it can be!
When we sweat (and we sweat more in the summer), we lose not only water but also essential electrolytes like sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium. Electrolytes maintain the fluid balance in the body and are necessary for muscle function, blood pressure, pH and energy in the body. If you are only drinking plain water, you may actually dilute your electrolytes even further, making you more at risk of dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.Without sufficient electrolytes, our bodies can’t properly hold on to the water you’re drinking and we simply pee it out. I have a lot of clients in this boat. And me too in the past before I learned what hydration really means. You can drink a lot of water, but can’t hold onto the hydration. :(
One of the most common signs of low or imbalanced electrolytes is fatigue or low energy. Other signs can include: muscle cramps or spasms, headaches, dizziness, brain fog or difficulty concentrating.
If you eat a primarily whole food diet (which I recommend), you probably have a low sodium diet as sodium is readily and overly available in processed foods and only in foods if we deliberately add them if we eat clean. Low carb or KETO diets are also usually low in sodium, so if you fall into this category, you are also likely low in electrolytes.
If you are an active person like me, doing intense yoga, hot yoga, or outdoor workouts, aim to add electrolytes to at least one of your water bottles per day.There are loads of electrolytes you can buy. (I like this one best). There are also some easy natural ways to support your bodies fluid balance:
Add a pinch of sea salt and a squeeze of lemon to your water
Enjoy coconut water (look for unsweetened varieties)
Eat mineral-rich foods like leafy greens, avocados, bananas, nuts, and seeds
Consider natural electrolyte powders without added sugars or artificial ingredients