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Water Breaks & Why We Need Them

Summer is almost here, and the weather in the Pac Northwest is awesome!

Now that we’re seeing so many sunny days, I think it’s a brilliant time to remind everyone of the importance of being hydrated. Pun intended.

apples!
Make sure you stay hydrated when the weather looks like this!

The human body is anywhere from 60-75% water, depending on your age.

If you’re thirsty, you’re already partially dehydrated. Dehydration slows us down, both physically and mentally, and drains us of energy.

So how much should you drink every day and when?

The 8 x 8 rule is generally good–drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day. If you’re doing an intense workout, you may need more. Kiddos need less than adults.

1-2 hours before your workout, drink one or two 8-ounce glasses. A glass right when you wake up in the morning is important too.

At its extreme, dehydration can lead to dizziness and fainting and other bad stuff. Not drinking water before AND during workouts, especially on warm days, is a safety hazard.

We know that the structure of school makes it tough for our kids to stay hydrated during the day, so we make sure to take water breaks in our classes.

Hydrated students are more energetic and focused, which makes the whole class run more smoothly. We also like to encourage our students to be aware of their health and well-being, a lifelong skill.

My massage therapist always hands me drink a glass of water after a session. She says that water is like oil in a car, it keeps all the parts (organs) clean, protected, and moving smoothly. She also emphasizes the importance of drinking pure water, not sports drinks, tea, juice, or other fluids.

We ask that parents help their students pack a bottle of water or (like me) a re-usable plastic cup to fill from the tap at the hall.

Happy Summer!

2 replies on “Water Breaks & Why We Need Them”

Thanks for the comment, Sensei Matt! I’ve worked out in places where we don’t get water breaks, and I always end up feeling awful by the end of them. Exercising should feel good, not bad.

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