Stay Hydrated in The Hudson Valley Summer

The outdoor summer activities in the Upstate New York area are about to come into full swing. But are you taking the proper steps to be hydrated when the heat comes along?

You can save time, money, and possibly mitigate your risk for disease by tapping into Culligan® filtered water. Keep in mind that not all outdoor public resources are reliable, and the heat also brings risk to those not properly hydrated.

Whether you’re on the Newburgh Waterfront Trail, Downing Park or Delano-Hitch Park, you’re spending time outside. The average person spends 1-2 hours per day outside in the summer months. The hottest months on record — July and August — are fast approaching. People use this to take advantage of the Hudson Valley’s many beautiful areas, such as parks, lakes and campgrounds.

Public Water Source Issues in Newburgh

summertime hydration tips

Many public drinking water sources suffer from a lack of cleaning and maintenance, and Newburgh and the surrounding areas are no exception. depending on outdoor temperature, dispense lukewarm water that lacks the thirst-quenching qualities of fresh water from an indoor tap or refrigerator.

Moist surfaces like the ones present on drinking fountains are common sources of microbial contamination. While there is debate whether these deficiencies and their origination are due to a large scope of systemic issues or point-of-use, concerns about quality and contamination have led to the decline of public water fountain use and the rise of bottled alternatives – in particular, when active outdoors, because it is portable and perceived as safe.

If your immune system is not compromised, there’s not a major risk in catching a disease from intermittent sips from an outdoor public fountain. But it’s likely not as low as bringing filtered water from a bottle or your personal tap. And wouldn’t you rather be drinking pure, clean water anyway?

Summertime Hydration Tips for Upstate New York Residents

  • When camping, use water purification tablets, boil from a fresh-flowing source, or bring a jug of Culligan® filtered water from home.
  • Don’t ever drink from a stagnant water source.
  • When performing vigorous physical activity such as running, trail hiking or bicycling, bring a hand-held bottle of filtered water from home.
  • Bring a lightweight wastepack that has been wear-tested for minimal bounce and comfort on runs and hikes.
  • Avoid high-glycemic (GI) foods such as high-sugar sports drinks or energy bars. Consuming an unnecessary amount of sugar can cause you to become fatigued more quickly.
  • Along with taking frequent breaks for yourself — especially while exercising — watch out for others. If you see someone getting weak or dizzy, this could be a sign of heat stroke.
  • If you’re going to the beach, bringing a beverage cooler is just as important as bringing a towel or sunscreen.
  • If you are a vacationer or camper indulging in an adult beverage, drink responsibly – and drink plenty of fresh, pure water. Alcohol is a diuretic and dehydrates your system. Mixing a cup of H2O between adult beverages can ease the bite of a mean next-day cocktail flu!

Comments