Can you train yourself to stay hydrated? A few tips from Ania Kiełbasińska
The statistics leave no doubt: when it comes to water, Polish people do not drink enough. One in ten does not drink it at all, and 80 per cent drink too little. You can get into the habit of staying properly hydrated. It is training like any other, improving overall well-being, appearance and the body’s performance. How do you begin?
Anna Kiełbsińska, the Polish track and field athlete whose commentary accompanied the athletics events at the Olympic Games in France, talks about the importance of water for our bodies. ‘I always carry plenty of water, or water and herbal infusions. I used to carry isotonic drinks, but as a retired athlete I no longer drink them. I have this habit of reaching for water throughout the day,’ she says.
Ania Kiełbasińska's routine
Anna Kiełbasińska reaches for a glass of warm water in the morning. Water at the right temperature stimulates the whole body, starting with the digestive system, gives us energy and supports metabolism. To begin with: 300 ml. She drinks the most in the morning and gradually reduces the amount so that she can enjoy peaceful, uninterrupted sleep. When does drinking regularly become a habit?
‘Like everything else in life, we can get used to staying properly hydrated. Before leaving home, I make herbal infusions and fill bottles with water. I always have several with me. I used to drink isotonic drinks, but now, as a former athlete, I try to avoid them because of the sugar.’
Mistakes we make every day
Many of us think that once summer is over, we no longer need to drink as much water as we do in hot weather. Nothing could be further from the truth! ‘Our bodies work in the same way at every time of year. We need to remember that heating dries out the air indoors. On top of that, one moment it is warm and the next it is cold; we sweat under thick clothes, and our bodies struggle to adjust. We start feeling unwell and blame it all on the weather. But often we have simply stopped drinking the right amount of fluids, and that is the reason we feel bad.’
When we become dehydrated, our skin loses its firmness. Our lips become dry and look unhealthy. Our urine in the morning has a very strong, pungent smell and a dark colour. We tire more quickly and start to feel weak. Our digestive system works less efficiently, which can lead to bloating and constipation.
‘We hear more and more often about young people having strokes. We can support our bodies through good nutrition and hydration to avoid exposing ourselves to similar risks,’ the athlete advises.