There are all sorts of occasions when you need to rehydrate quickly. Lots of things can cause us to overlook our simplest physical needs. Such as the demands and regimented schedules of an office job, hard physical labour on a hot day, pushing through boundaries in a workout routine or sickness. Sweating through a fever can leave you drained and in need of hydration, as can vomiting and diarrhea. As you’re not as mentally alert or physically able when you’re that unwell, it’s dangerously easy to get into a seriously dehydrated state. This article looks at how to hydrate when you really need to.

You Might Need More Than Water

When you really need to rehydrate, water alone may not be enough. The basic definition of dehydration is losing fluid from your body faster than you can replace it. This is accurate. But doesn’t touch on another important problem: electrolytes. Your body keeps important minerals dissolved in its fluid supplies. These are known as electrolytes and they help your body maintain the fluid balance in your cells, regulate your mood and transmit impulses along your nerves! As you dehydrate you also lose electrolytes, and if you just drink water to rehydrate without replacing them, you might find yourself in trouble. In the best case it’ll take you longer to get back to peak performance. At worst you’ll enter a state called water intoxication.

When you need to rehydrate urgently, it’s important to make sure you’re keeping your electrolyte levels balanced as well. If you’re in urgent need of rehydration, water might not be your best option. Unless you’re also going to eat and top up your body’s reserves. A banana is a good choice as they have lots of potassium.

What About Sports Drinks?

One option for urgent rehydration are isotonic sports drinks. The word isotonic refers to the balance of nutrients and minerals in the cells of your body – drinks with this label will also refresh your electrolyte levels. They’re not always the best choice though: they’re often very high in calories. If you need a boost when you’re feeling ill, they could be a good option, but if you’re exercising to control your weight, they’re counterproductive.

Try A Rehydration Sachet

A rehydration sachet could be the answer you’re looking for. These products, along with rehydration tablets dissolve quickly in water, and provide all of those missing minerals, to quickly rehydrate you in every important way. They also have a neutral flavour, which make them easier on a sensitive stomach, as well as a lack of the glucose or chemical additions in sports drinks. It’s well worth keeping some of these in your medicine cabinet or gym bag for you when you need to rehydrate in a hurry.