Staying hydrated is always a priority. However, there are times when it’s especially important. For example, during the summer months, when temperatures and humidity soar. This is especially true when you’re attending an outdoor event where you’ll be active and in the sun for a long period. It’s at these times that dehydration becomes an even bigger risk.
Why is it important to stay hydrated, and how can a portable water station help keep large groups of people hydrated during summer events? Here’s what you need to know.
Importance of Hydration
Hydration plays a crucial role in your overall health. Water is essential for so many of your body’s functions. As most people know, the human body is made up of about 60 to 75 percent water.
Water affects physiological functions, including nutrient transport, waste removal, and body temperature regulation. Not only will you feel low-energy, sluggish, and less-than-optimal if you don’t drink enough water, but your body will also struggle to perform its everyday functions.
One of the most important roles water plays is temperature regulation. When you’re hot, your body regulates its internal temperature by sweating. Sweating is a symptom of being warm, but it’s actually how your body cools itself.
As you sweat, you lose water that needs to be replenished. When you don’t drink enough water, you make it impossible for your body to perform its cooling cycle. No water means less or no sweat, which means inefficient body cooling increases your risk of heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
Water is also essential for digestion and the function of your metabolism. Without enough water, it’s difficult for your body to absorb nutrients and break down food for energy production.
You might be eating enough healthy food, but if you aren’t drinking enough water, your body won’t be able to use that food for energy. It’s also common for someone who doesn’t drink enough water to develop constipation because water is needed for your body to remove waste properly.
Drinking enough water is also essential for your heart health. It helps maintain blood volume, ensures proper oxygen circulation, and helps nutrients travel throughout your body. Not drinking enough increases your risk of heart-related illnesses. In some cases, it can lead to fatal consequences.
Staying hydrated helps you think more clearly and improves your attention and focus. This might not seem like a big deal when you’re celebrating or having a good time, but you’d be surprised how big a role mental clarity plays.
This is especially true if you’re drinking alcohol during an event. Switching between water and alcoholic beverages is the best way to ensure you don’t overdo it and miss out on a great time.
Proper hydration also affects your appearance. Hydrated people have healthier-looking skin, brighter eyes, and smoother, softer lips. After spending weeks planning a festival outfit and look, the last thing you want is to ruin it by having sunken eyes, scaly skin, and dry, chapped lips due to dehydration.
Effects of Dehydration
The symptoms of dehydration vary in severity depending on how dehydrated you are. Sometimes, you’ll feel slightly uncomfortable or “off.” In other cases, you’re at risk of death if you become too dehydrated.
Dehydration causes:
- Thirst
- Dry mouth
- Dark urine
- Infrequent need to urinate
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Dry skin
- Muscle cramps
- Rapid heartbeat
- Sunken eyes
- Confusion
- Irritability
- Reduced tear production
- Fainting
- Unconsciousness
Why Is Hydration So Important During Summer Events?
Hydration is especially important at summer events, such as festivals, concerts, and sports. Unfortunately, these can also be some of the most challenging times to stay hydrated because you’re not in your usual environment, you’re active, and you’re likely spending extended periods outdoors.
Not to mention, many summer festivals are held during the hottest times of the year. Before you minimize the need to stay hydrated, it’s important to realize that dehydration puts your health at risk and interferes with your ability to have a good time.
Water is vital for keeping you feeling energized, which is essential when you’re standing or walking for hours at a time. Drinking water also cools you down, so you’ll feel better and look your best during the event.
Have you ever been forced to spend time with someone who was hungry or thirsty and they were less than pleasant to be around? Staying hydrated prevents irritability, so everyone can relax and have a good time during an event.
You’ll be in a better mood and have better mental clarity, ensuring you have happier and longer-lasting memories from your time at the event.
Hydration Options at Events
There are plenty of ways to keep event attendees hydrated, including:
- Stationary water stations
- Portable/mobile water stations
- Water dispensers
- Water bottle giveaways
- Water bottles for purchase
Also, remember that offering access to water might not be enough to get people to drink enough. It also helps to remind people to drink via marketing materials and/or messaging at the event.
What’s Better for Keeping Event Attendees Hydrated: Portable Water Stations or Traditional Options?
Whether you opt for traditional ways of keeping people hydrated at events or choose a portable water station depends on the specific events. However, a portable water station is generally a better all-around option.
To determine which of the two choices is better, consider the following:
- Size of the event
- Event activities
- Logistical considerations
- Attendee preferences
Portable water stations are convenient and flexible. They make it possible for event planners to offer hydration in situations where traditional options for hydrating aren’t practical or even possible.
Portable stations, as the name suggests, are movable, making it easy to adjust to a variety of situations at an event. Although traditional options might work fine for smaller events, in almost every case, a portable water station is the way to go when it comes to keeping event attendees hydrated.
If you’d like to learn more about portable water stations, visit our website.