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All things Siesta Key. Stories, news, and event information about Sarasota, Florida's beautiful beach.
Tips for Staying Hydrated on the Beaches of Siesta Key
Drinking water is one of the most important things you can do to keep your body happy, healthy, and hydrated. Generally speaking, women should be drinking 2-3 liters of water every day, while men may need 3-4 liters of water to stay hydrated. When spending an extended period of time in the hot sun on the beach, it is necessary to exceed these averages in order to avoid dehydration. In Siesta Key, the average temperature ranges from lows in the 50s from December through February to highs in the 80s and 90s from April through October. During the busy season and summer months, you should be prepared for sunny beach days in 80-degree weather, meaning your beach bag should be full of items to keep you cool and help you stay hydrated. Your friends here at Best Western Siesta Key are sharing a few tips on how to make sure that you, your family, and your friends drink enough water and avoid dehydration during your sunny Florida beach vacation.
What You Should Bring to the Beach to Stay Cool & Hydrated
Bottles of Ice Water
The most obvious tip for staying hydrated on the beach is to drink water! Make sure your beach bag is insulated, or bring a cooler to store your water bottles, so they don’t get hot. Another tip is to freeze a few bottles of plain water before hitting the beach and bringing them along as ice packs that are sure to thaw out by the end of the afternoon. This way, you can keep your drinks and snacks cool without having to dump out a bucket of ice water on your way home or back to Best Western Siesta Key.
Alternatives to Plain Water
Although fresh, plain, cold water is the best option for staying hydrated at the beach, there are some other really great options that also provide a little flavor. If plain water isn’t your favorite beach beverage, toss some cucumbers, berries, watermelon, or citrus into your water to give it a healthy dose of flavor. Or, pick up some coconut water or an electrolyte-infused beverage that doesn’t contain too much sodium, which can also contribute to dehydration.
Fresh Fruit and Veggies
Snacking on fresh fruit and veggies that are water-based is a brilliant and delicious way to replenish your body with the water it has lost, as well as add more nutrients and vitamins into your system. Strawberries, blueberries, watermelon, oranges, pineapples, celery sticks, tomatoes, and cucumbers are a few of our favorite back snacks. Bring some ranch dressing, peanut butter, or fruit dip to make these snacks a little sweeter and more enjoyable to eat while on vacation.
Avoid Caffeine and Alcohol
Soda, iced tea, hard seltzers, and beer all sound refreshing while spending an afternoon enjoying the beach. However, especially during the hottest part of the day, caffeine and alcohol pull water from your body. To avoid dehydration while still enjoying your favorite beachy beverage, be sure to drink enough water to offset the dehydrating side effects.
Beach Umbrella
While in the sun to warm your skin and build a nice summer tan is something we all look forward to at the beach, it is always a good idea to seek out some shade throughout the afternoon. Being prepared with a beach umbrella is the most convenient and comfortable way to ensure you can escape the direct sun and allow your body to cool down.
Cooling Towel
When the body sweats, it extracts water to cool itself down, which is a big contributor to dehydration. Bringing a “cooling towel” or “chilly pad” is another way to help keep your body temperature regular when spending a day on the beach. In addition to not depleting your body’s water supply, placing a cooling towel around your neck is sure to feel amazing.
Jump in the Water
We believe that there is no better feeling than jumping into the water after lying in the sun on Siesta Key. The water in the Gulf of Mexico is not only physically beautiful and peaceful to admire, but the subtle waves and refreshing temperature, without feeling too cold, is the best way to relax and keep your body feeling cool and rejuvenated. Throw a small pool float in your beach bag so you can sit back in the water and truly let yourself chill out and unwind.
There is nothing worse than experiencing dehydration while vacationing in Siesta Key! Some severe cases of dehydration can even make you sick or require a trip to the hospital for extra fluids. Taking advantage of all that Siesta Key and Sarasota offers is sure to be a lot more fun and easier when you are properly hydrated and feeling your best. So, take our advice and drink a lot of water. Then, re-energize with a wonderful night’s rest here at Best Western Siesta Key.